Brookline man, 78, charged with assaulting police officer and gas company workers

A Brookline man was arrested Wednesday for assaulting a group of gas company workers and a Brookline police officer who stepped in to help, police said.

Efrain Fernandez, 78, was charged with two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct, Brookline police said in a statement.

Brookline Police Captain Thomas Keaveney was working a police detail when he saw Fernandez assault three gas company workers while they were digging on Elm Street. Fernandez allegedly pushed and grabbed the workers, yelling that he would not allow them to work in front of his home.

Keaveney tried to stop Fernandez, who continued to berate the workers for 5 to 10 minutes, police said.

While being escorted, Fernandez was restrained because he continued his aggression – clenching his fists, yelling, and kicking Keaveney in the legs, police said. He allegedly tried to knee Keaveney in the groin.

Fernandez was arraigned Wednesday in Brookline District Court where he pleaded not guilty, according to court officials. He was released on personal recognizance.