Man charged with pulling alarm at Steelers’ hotel described as ‘die-hard Patriots fan’

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

8 years ago

Dennis Harrison is arraigned Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, in East Boston district court. He is alleged to have pulled the fire alarm in the middle of the night that roused the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of their playoff with the New England Patriots. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Dennis Harrison, left, stands next to his attorney Francisco Napolitanois as he is arraigned in East Boston district court, Monday, Jan. 23, 2017. He is alleged to have pulled the fire alarm in the middle of the night that roused the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of their playoff with the New England Patriots. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

BOSTON — A Boston man described by his lawyer as a “die-hard Patriots fan” has pleaded not guilty to pulling a fire alarm that roused the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers from their hotel beds ahead of their playoff game against New England.

Dennis Harrison was released on personal recognizance at his arraignment Monday on charges including disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

Police say the 25-year-old East Boston resident pulled the alarm at the Logan Airport Hilton at about 3:40 a.m. Sunday. Authorities quickly determined it was a false alarm.

Prosecutors say Harrison told police he was drunk and did something “stupid” on a dare. He was arrested near the hotel.

The Steelers lost 36-17 to the Patriots on Sunday night.

His lawyer says Harrison played high school football and is embarrassed.