petaluma police arrested eric wayne conroy this afternoon.e learned that he has had nearly 100 run ins with the law. cornell bernard is live with this story. cornell. >> reporter: yeah, 100 contacts with police and almost 20 arrests in the past four years. now, the suspect is charged with a frightening assault on a teenager here at walnut park. >> when it becomes dangerous to be in the parks, then it is kind of a concern. >> reporter: petaluma neighbors sounding off about an incident that happened at walnut park on thursday. two teenage boys were sitting on a park bench when they were approached b 49-year-old eric wayne conroy. police say the suspect approached the teens from behind and started choking one of the boys with a canvas strap. >> placed it around one of the 14-year-old's neck and tried to lift the 14 year old off the ground with it. the 14 year old was able to struggle and free himself. >> reporter: the attack unprovoked. the teen was not hurt and called 911. police arrestd conroy who is considered a known transient in town. this

petaluma police arrested eric wayne conroy this afternoon.at he has had nearly 100 run ins with the law. cornell bernard is live with this story. cornell. >> reporter: yeah, 100 contacts with police and almost 20 arrests in the past four years. now, the suspect is charged with a frightening assault on a teenager here at walnut park. >> when it becomes dangerous to be in the parks, then it is kind of a concern. >> reporter: petaluma neighbors sounding off about an incident that happened at walnut park on thursday. two teenage boys were sitting on a park bench when they were approached by 49-year-old eric wayne conroy. police say the suspect approached the teens from behind and started choking one of the boys with a canvas strap. >> placed it around one of the 14-year-old's neck and tried to lift the 14 year old off the ground with it. the 14 year old was able to struggle and free himself. >> reporter: the attack unprovoked. the teen was not hurt and called 911. police arrestd conroy who is considered a known transient in town. this was conroy'

police arrested 49-year-old eric wayne conroy thursday and as cornell bernard found out, cop conroy has had nearly 100 run ins with the law. >> neighbors sounding off about an incident that happened at walnut park on thursday. two teenage boys were sitting on a bench when they were approached by the 49-year-old. police say the suspect approached the teens from behind and started choking one of the boys with a canvas strap. >> police placed it around one of the 14-year-old necks and tried to left him up. he was able to struggle and free himself. >> the attack, unprovoked, the teen was not hurt and calleded 911. police arrested conroy, who's a known transient in town. this was his 19th arrest in four years. mostly for drug charges and disorderly conduct. police have tried to help. >> he's been provided various resources throughout the years. >> it's kind of scary because we feel safe here. >> many parents on alert. the park is a popular spot, renovated in the past year. >> it's frustrating. >> this woman says they have funned safety cameras and better lighting. >> we want to see the kids

police arrested 49-year-old eric wayne conroy thursday and as cornell bernard found out, cop conroy has had nearly 100 run ins with the law. >> neighbors sounding off about an incident that happened at walnut park on thursday. two teenage boys were sitting on a bench when they were approached by the 49-year-old. police say the suspect approached the teens from behind and started choking one of the boys with a canvas strap. >> police placed it around one of the 14-year-old necks and tried to left him up. he was able to struggle and free himself. >> the attack, unprovoked, the teen was not hurt and calleded 911. police arrested conroy, who's a known transient in town. this was his 19th arrest in four years. mostly for drug charges and disorderly conduct. police have tried to help. >> he's been provided various resources throughout the years. >> it's kind of scary because we feel safe here. >> many parents on alert. the park is a popular spot, renovated in the past year. >> it's frustrating. >> this woman says they have funned safety cameras and better lighting. >> we want to see the kids

police arrested 49-year-old eric wayne conroy thursday and as cornell bernard found out, cop conroy has had nearly 100 run ins with the law. >> neighbors sounding off about an incident that happened at walnut park on thursday. two teenage boys were sitting on a bench when they were approached by the 49-year-old. police say the suspect approached the teens from behind and started choking one of the boys with a canvas strap. >> police placed it around one of the 14-year-old necks and tried to left him up. he was able to struggle and free himself. >> the attack, unprovoked, the teen was not hurt and calleded 911. police arrested conroy, who's a known transient in town. this was his 19th arrest in four years. mostly for drug charges and disorderly conduct. police have tried to help. >> he's been provided various resources throughout the years. >> it's kind of scary because we feel safe here. >> many parents on alert. the park is a popular spot, renovated in the past year. >> it's frustrating. >> this woman says they have funned safety cameras and better lighting. >> we want to see the kids