Waltham Police Chief Arrested On Assault Charges

Waltham's police chief is held without bail on charges accusing him of striking his wife and a female neighbor.

Thomas LaCroix pleaded not guilty at a hospital arraignment Friday to charges including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon — a bicycle rack and a counter top.

Prosecutor Suzanne Kontz said LaCroix attacked his wife Andrea at their Maynard home Tuesday. She said Andrea LaCroix went to the house of the neighbor, who was attacked when they returned to the LaCroix house.

LaCroix was arrested Thursday. He was hospitalized for stomach and chest pains and suicidal thoughts prosecutors said he expressed. His lawyer said later LaCroix wasn't suicidal.

LaCroix will undergo a mental health evaluation before a dangerousness hearing Tuesday.

Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy said in an email to The Boston Globe that LaCroix's arrest is a "serious matter,' and she has named Deputy Chief Keith MacPherson as acting chief.