On Friday, August 19, 2022, at approximately 8:31 PM, the Lebanon Police Department responded to the 110 Grill in West Lebanon for a man spraying people with bear spray.
Before Officers arrived, it was reported that the male subject had left the area in a vehicle. The vehicle was located on Plainfield Road. The operator was detained and was identified as John Cahill, age 41, from Greenfield, MA.
Witnesses reported that Cahill had confronted four pedestrians crossing the road as he was exiting Interstate 89. The pedestrians continued to walk towards 110 Grill and Cahill left his vehicle unattended on Plainfield Road to follow them on foot. When Cahill approached, he sprayed bear spray at the pedestrians, which also affected nearby patrons on the front patio of the restaurant.
Cahill then returned to his vehicle and pulled into the parking lot, where he went to the patio area again and began to threaten patrons, challenging them to a fight. The four subjects all experienced symptoms from the exposure to the bear spray, along with several of the bystanders.
Cahill was arrested and charged with six counts of Simple Assault and Criminal Threatening, both Class A Misdemeanors. Additionally, he was charged with Driving While Impaired, a Class B Misdemeanor, and four counts of Disorderly Conduct, a Violation.
Cahill was held at the Grafton County House of Corrections on preventative detention to await an arraignment at the 2nd Circuit Lebanon District Court on Monday, August 22, 2022.
Authorized by: Chief Phillip J. Roberts Date: 08/22/2022