MICHAEL COUSINEAU ON NOV 17, 2017
SOURCE: MCCLATCHY, SecurityInfoWatch.com

MANCHESTER -- Six people fell ill Thursday at Elliot Hospital after a bag of white powder ripped open as police struggled with a city man, authorities said.

Theodore Macenas, 26, was taken to the hospital after he'd complained of feeling ill and appeared to be under the influence of drugs while being booked on a domestic assault charge, according to police. Police say they had found 12 Diazepam pills in Macenas' pockets when he was taken into custody.

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At Elliot Hospital, an officer stood with Macena while he awaited medical care. When taken to the bathroom about 9:30 a.m., the officer realized Macenas had more drugs concealed inside of his body, according to policce.

"The officer struggled with Macenas as he attempted to swallow the unknown powdery substance," police said. "The struggle caused a tear in the plastic bag, which caused the powdery substance to contaminate the floor of the bathroom and the adjacent hallway. A second officer assigned to the hospital detail helped the officer subdue the combative man."

Firefighters in hazmat suits were called in to remove the powder.

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"We treated it as possible heroin or fentanyl," said District Fire Chief Jim Michael, who couldn't recall any similar past incidents at the city's two main hospitals.

Six people would eventually complain of nausea and other symptoms, two police officers, a nurse, a doctor, a security guard and a student, Michael said.

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Hospital spokesman Susanna Fier described those symptoms as headache, nausea, high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat. All six were placed under observation and were "feeling a lot better" by late morning, she said.

By Thursday afternoon everyone who had been exposed had been released from the hospital.

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