Man accused of assaulting victim, attacking officers after altercation in Sussex County

NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — A man is facing multiple criminal charges after police said he assaulted another person, fled from officers and attacked law enforcement during an arrest following a reported altercation in Newton.

According to police, officers responded at approximately 10:15 p.m. June 10 to the area of Paterson Avenue after receiving a report of an active physical altercation.

Before officers arrived, a witness reported seeing one person assault another and possibly forcing the victim into a vehicle before leaving the area, police said.

An officer spotted the vehicle leaving a nearby parking lot. A short time later, officers located it stopped at the dead end of a nearby street.

Police said the passenger exited the vehicle with visible facial injuries, while the driver fled on foot into a wooded area. Following a brief foot pursuit, officers apprehended the suspect.

According to police, the suspect became combative while being taken into custody, kicking one officer in the face, resisting officers’ efforts to restrain him and later spitting in another officer’s face. Police said officers ultimately secured the suspect and ensured both the injured victim and the suspect received appropriate medical attention.

The suspect was charged with eluding, aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, throwing bodily fluid at a law enforcement officer, criminal restraint, hindering apprehension, obstruction, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Police said the suspect also received multiple motor vehicle summonses, including driving while intoxicated, and was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.

The names of those involved were not released to protect the victim’s privacy.