Cape Coral police: Naked man danced in fire, assaulted officers during rescue

Stacey Henson | The News-Press

Cape Coral police arrested a man they say stood in a fire naked, chanting gibberish, before assaulting the officers who tried to rescue him.

About 1:20 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a disturbance at 1300 block of NE Pine Island Lane. Callers said a man with a knife was attempting to set a vehicle on fire.

The suspect also had thrown a rock through a window.

Officers found John Hennessey, 27, of Cape Coral, in his front yard, naked and holding a knife, a news release issued Monday said. He was chanting and dancing around a fire.

He then stood in the fire while chanting gibberish, the report indicates. He dropped the knife and grabbed a large stick, swinging it at officers.

Officers then stunned him and put him in handcuffs while Hennessey continued chanting in an unidentifiable language.

Hennessey had possibly consumed psychedelic mushrooms, the report indicated.

More: Meth-trafficking ring in South Florida ends in 6 arrests after yearlong investigation

More: Lehigh Acres man arrested, accused of Cape Coral home invasion

More: Police arrest Cape Coral man shot in self-defense for aggravated assault

He was taken to the hospital for treatment and transferred to Lee County Jail.

Hennessey has 11 counts levied against him, including two counts of aggravated assault, criminal mischief, and four counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officer.

He had three charges related to warrants out of Levy County, of which no bond was issued.

He remained jailed Monday on $98,000 bond. He is due in court July 23.