Rich Hill was 'violent and aggressive' toward police officer, leading to arrest
Rich Hill, a free agent MLB pitcher, was reportedly “violent and aggressive” toward a Foxborough police officer and acting in a “tumultuous manner,” leading to his arrest outside of Gillette Stadium on Saturday.
The Boston Globe reported further details on Hill’s arrest as the pitcher was upset over his wife, Caitlin Hill, being arrested for attempting to sneak an oversize fanny pack into the stadium for Saturday’s game between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills.
Hill was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, his wife for disorderly conduct and trespassing.
Officer issued multiple commands
As officers were trying to load Caitlin Hill into a police van, Rich Hill approached and objected. According to a police report, Hill was issued three commands to stand back, but then “became focused and wide eyed.” An officer wrote that Hill lunged at him in a “tumultuous manner” and yelled that he did not have to move. The officer, Detective Patrick J. Hoffman, believed that Hill was trying to intimidate him.
“At this time, I told Mr. Richard Hill he was under arrest,” Hoffman wrote.
The Globe reported that a security supervisor had told Hoffman that Hill was acting “violent and aggressive” toward Hoffman.
Caitlin Hill ‘became belligerent’
The incident began went Caitlin Hill was told at a stadium gate that her fanny pack was too large. According to a police report, she attempted to hide it in her coat. When rebuffed again, she “became belligerent,” swore at and gave the middle finger to the security guard. She then attempted to enter through another gate unsuccessfully. When she continued to argue, the report said, she was arrested.
The couple’s charges were reduced on Monday to civil infractions, and both were fined.
In a statement, Rich Hill said that he respects law enforcement but found it difficult to witness his wife in handcuffs over a “problem that started because of her fanny pack.”
“This was all overblown and we are glad to have it behind us,” Hill said.
Hill, who has been in the big leagues since 2005, spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers but has yet to sign with a team for next season after undergoing elbow surgery in October.
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