Waltham police chief is accused of assaulting wife and neighbor in Maynard home on Tuesday

By Brian R. Ballou and John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

CONCORD -- Waltham Police Chief Thomas M. LaCroix allegedly assaulted his wife and a female neighbor during two separate violent incidents Tuesdayin Maynard where he lives, a Middlesex prosecutor said today when LaCroix was arraigned in his bed at Emerson Hospital.

LaCroix was arrested by Maynard police Thursday around 4:30 p.m. and has been placed on administrative leave with pay, according to Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy and Maynard police.

According to Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Kontz,paperwork filed in Concord District Court and Maynard police, LaCroix assaulted his wife, Andrea K. LaCroix on Tuesday, an attack that required her to get medical treatment at Newton Wellesley Hospital.

Kontz also said during LaCroix’s arraignment in his hospital room that after her husband allegedly attacked her, Andrea LaCroix went to a female neighbor’s house. That female neighbor returned with Andrea LaCroix to the LaCroix home - where Thomas LaCroix allegedly attacked the neighbor.

Only limited details of the incidents were made public today because the police report and most records were impounded. No official explanation was immediately provided for the gap of time between the violent incident -- Tuesday -- and LaCroix’s arrest on Thursday.

In one document made public, 40-year-old Andrea LaCroix was identified as one of the victims and prosecutors said they wanted a court order for her medical records created at Newton Wellesley hospital between June 11 and June 14.No description of Andrea LaCroix’s injuries were disclosed.

At his arraignment, LaCroix was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing now set for Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Concord courthouse.

LaCroix is charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for allegedly striking the victims with a bicycle rack and a counter top. He is also charged with two counts of assault and battery, one count of assault, and one count of intimidating a witness, officials said.

LaCroix is charged with two counts of threats for allegedly threatening to murder the victim or victims, officials said.

Earlier today, Kontz said in court that there was concern that LaCroix may be suicidal.

LaCroix’s defense attorney Peter Bella said that he had met with LaCroix for 90 minutes and is convinced his client is not suicidal. “He’s doing well. He has some concerns about some chest pains and some stomach problems,’’ Bella told reporters. “He is doing fine now. I have no concerns about suicidal thoughts he may have, or may have expressed at some earlier time. He’s doing fine.’’

Bella said he does not know the details of the allegations against the 49-year-old LaCroix.

In an e-mail today, McCarthy called the arrest of LaCroix a “serious matter.’’

McCarthy said she has named Deputy Chief Keith MacPherson as acting chief.

The mayor, who appointed LaCroix to the top cop’s job in 2008, said LaCroix has now been suspended with pay.

She said in an email that his badge and service weapon are now in the custody of Watham police.

She referred further questions to Leone’s office.

State Representative Thomas Stanley, a Waltham Democrat who also serves as a Waltham councilor-at-large, said he views the issue as a serious matter.

“Professionally, I’ve never been any issues as far as my working with him,” Stanley said.

Kenneth Doucette, Waltham City Council vice president, said he was also shocked at the allegations.

“It surprises me, but it’s early on in the investigation, so we’ll have to wait to see,” Doucette said, adding that many people were also astonished by the arrest.

Doucette described LaCroix as an accomplished police chief.

“He’s always been very professional in his responses and sharing his thoughts for the safety of the public and his department,” Doucette said.

Globe Correspondent Jaclyn Reiss contributed to this report.