Police: Prowler pepper sprays cops, swings on rope from Allston roof to try to escape, punches man

For the second time in less than 12 hours, Boston police officers confronted a roof-running suspect. But this one was armed with pepper spray - and used a rope to try to escape from the roof he was on into a third-story apartment, Boston Police report.

Police say that about 11:40 Sunday, officers responding to a break-in call at 19 Saint Luke’s Rd. Inside the apartment, police say, they found Fabio Armelio, 39, of Medford, whom they immediately recognized due to a lengthy record that includes 20 active warrants and a predilection for trying to resist arrest.

When they moved in to apprehend him, Armelio, not only refused to comply, but he took off running, dropping a police scanner as he scrambled up a stairwell leading up to the top floor of the building and a ladder that would enable him to gain access to the roof. As Armelio climbed up the ladder, officers grabbed a hold of his legs to prevent him from gaining access to roof. As officers did their best to prevent the suspect’s escape, the suspect pulled out a canister of mace and sprayed both officers square in the face. Freed from the officers' grasp, the suspect was able to escape to the roof. Once there, the suspect, using a rope, swung from the roof into a third floor apartment where, once inside, he physically assaulted the tenant by punching him in the face. Officers chased the suspect into the basement where, after a lengthy physical confrontation during which the suspect continued to resist arrest, the suspect was finally taken into custody.

Armelio was charged with two counts of breaking and entering, three counts of assault and battery on a police officer, armed home invasion, armed assault in a dwelling, resisting arrest and making threats, police say.

Innocent, etc.