A New York resident was arrested Saturday night after striking a Newtown Police Department officer in the face with a closed fist.

Daniel M. Morris, 40, of Walkill, N.Y., faced three charges, including assault on public safety personnel, after Newtown Police Department officers responded to a call for help at a Hanover Road residence, according to a release from the PD.

Upon arrival in the area just before noon November 22, Newtown PD Ofc Hyvarinen made contact with Morris. Morris argued with Hyvarinen, and ignored being told three times to put down a back bag he was carrying and twice to put his cell phone in his pocket.

Six seconds later, Morris begins swinging at the officer, striking Hyvarinen in the face with his left hand.

Hyvarinen was initially on his own. According to the Newtown PD release, Hyvarinen attempted to gain control of the situation after Morris actively resisted and placed the officer in a headlock/chokehold.

Hyvarinen disengaged by lifting the 220-pound Morris overhead and breaking free from the hold, according to the PD release. The physical altercation continued on the ground, with Morris striking Hyvarinen in the face a second time.

Hyvarinen ultimately gained control of Morris “through lawful use of force proportionate to the threat presented,” the PD said.

A second officer arrived less than two minutes after Hyvarinen arrived on scene.

Hyvarinen and Morris both sustained minor facial injuries. Morris was evaluated by emergency medical personnel and subsequently transported to Danbury Hospital, where he was medically cleared.

Morris was then placed under arrest and charged with Assault on Public Safety Personnel, Interfering with an Officer/Resisting Arrest, and Disorderly Conduct. The first charge is a Class C felony. The others are misdemeanors.

Morris was held on a $75,000 cash/surety bond and arraigned at Danbury Superior Court on November 24. He pled not guilty.

Online court records indicate Morris has not been released from custody. His next court appearance will be a pre-trial, scheduled for December 17.

Earlier this year Morris was arrested by local police for violating a restraining order after he was found at a Newtown residence. Morris reportedly became uncooperative while an animal control officer (ACO) was investigating a dog bite, at which time the ACO requested backup.

In that February 24 incident, Newtown PD officers found Morris had an active restraining order prohibiting him from being at the residence. He was subsequently charged with violating a criminal restraining order and third-degree criminal trespass.