Ill temper lands Houma man in jail

Irate over service at a fast food restaurant, a Houma man was arrested Wednesday after he assaulted a police officer who had tried to calm him down, Houma Police said.

Douglas Coleman, 44, of 532 Polk St., was at the McDonald’s restaurant inside Wal-Mart on Grand Caillou Road, when he began to yell at the manager and an employee, said Lt. Todd Duplantis, Houma Police spokesman. HPD Officer Rory Olds, who was working a security detail at the store, overheard Coleman demanding his food immediately and that he wanted it served hot.

Duplantis said Coleman was using vulgar language and creating a disturbance.

When Olds approached the Houma man to calm him, Duplantis said Coleman lobbed his slurs at the officer. As Olds attempted to handcuff Coleman, the Houma man ran away.

Duplantis said Olds was able to catch the back of Coleman’s pants as he ran through Wal-Mart’s exit, causing both men to fall into the automatic doors and to the floor. Coleman scrambled to his feet and ran into the parking lot, he said.

Olds called for police backup and then began chasing Coleman through the parking lot, Duplantis said. When the officer caught Coleman, Olds had to use chemical spray Freeze +p because he continued to resist arrest by shoving the officer in the chest, the spokesman said.

Coleman was charged with disturbing the peace by using loud and abusive language, battery of a police officer and resisting an officer. If convicted, Duplantis said Coleman faces up to six months in prison and a $500 fine.

Ill temper lands Houma man in jail