> At a Glance
> – Thomas Rowe, a 21-year-old U.S. Army platoon leader, was arrested after allegedly assaulting a Doylestown officer early Friday.
> – Rowe reportedly struck the officer from behind, repeatedly punched him, and bit his arm during a fight on North Main Street.
> – He faces aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, and related charges; bail set at $75,000.
> – Why it matters: The incident raises questions about conduct of active-duty military personnel and local safety in a busy downtown area.
A late-night street fight in Doylestown escalated into a violent confrontation with police after an active-duty Army officer allegedly turned on an intervening officer, authorities say.
The Altercation
At 12:13 a.m. on December 27, 2025, officers responded to a report of two men fighting on North Main Street. While one officer tried to separate the combatants, a second officer forced an unidentified man toward the corner of the building.
Investigators say Rowe approached from behind and struck the officer in the head. The officer grabbed Rowe by the waist; both men fell to the ground.
Rowe allegedly:
- Ignored commands to stop fighting
- Punched the officer several times in the head
- Slammed the officer’s head onto icy pavement
- Bit the officer on the arm
Witnesses shouted that Rowe was fighting a cop, and bystanders filmed the attack on their phones, according to police.
Arrest and Charges
Additional officers arrived and subdued Rowe, who continued to resist arrest. Police identified him as an active platoon leader in the U.S. Army.
Rowe was arraigned, bail was set at 10% of $75,000, and he was remanded to Bucks County Prison.
| Charge | Status |
|---|---|
| Aggravated assault | Filed |
| Simple assault | Filed |
| Resisting arrest | Filed |
| Related offenses | Filed |
A second individual involved in the initial fight was cited for summary offenses and released.
Key Takeaways
- Rowe remains in custody on $75,000 bail
- The injured officer’s condition has not been disclosed
- The Army has not yet commented on Rowe’s service status
The Bucks County District Attorney’s office will prosecute the case while military authorities review any potential impact on Rowe’s Army career.
