Man Held for Assault of Mom, Police

A disagreement between a Garden Grove man and his mother escalated into an altercation Wednesday that resulted in trips to the hospital for him and four police officers.

Officials said Robert Edward Curry, 26, was treated for dog bites, effects of pepper spray and injuries resulting from being struck by beanbags, while the officers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries resulting from being attacked with barbells.

Curry, 26, was being held on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer and with assault against his mother, said Garden Grove Police spokesman John Woods. He gave this account of the incident:

About 5 p.m., Curry got into an argument with his mother and tried to choke her because she would not lend him her car. She fled to a nearby grocery store and called police, who responded to Curry’s residence on Hazard Avenue.

Curry attacked the officers with a metal plate, after which they sprayed him with pepper spray. When that did not subdue Curry, officers then shot him with a special gun that fires beanbags and brought in a dog. Curry used a metal lathe to attack the dog, which then bit him.

The officers’ injuries occurred, Woods said, when Curry attacked them with two metal barbells.

“The officers are to be commended for their restraint during this incident, which could have resulted in a much worse outcome,” Woods said. “They have had prior contact with Mr. Curry where he has assaulted and/or attempted to kill other family members.”

Curry’s mother was not injured in the attack, Woods said.