Lewes man arrested following welfare check

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – Police arrested a Lewes man early Friday morning after being called to complete a check on his well-being.

Just before 6 a.m., officers were called to the intersection of Olive Avenue and Second Street for a report of an unconscious person on the sidewalk. It was then that officers contacted the man, identified as 54-year-old John Norris, who fell asleep on the sidewalk. Further investigation led officers to believe that alcohol played a part in his current condition, and tried to help him in contacting someone to come pick him up.

Norris was not successful in reaching anyone by phone, and reportedly told officers that he would not call a ride service. He then tried to leave, but for safety reasons officers tried to keep him from leaving. Norris then grabbed an officer’s arm and would not let go. As officers tried to place him into custody, he tried to bite an officer on the area and tried to pull away, kicking the officer several times.

He was eventually taken into custody but refused to provide fingerprints at the time of his arrest.

Norris was charged with resisting arrest with force or violence, two counts of offensive touching of a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct, and failure to comply with taking fingerprints. He is currently being held at the Sussex Correctional Institution on $4,500 secured bail.