pepper spray to subdue Rockwell Ave. man
Police had to use
pepper spray to subdue Rockwell Ave. man
By carolyn o’connell
Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — Authorities still had enough evidence to press drug charges against a city resident despite his attempts to flush the drugs down the toilet.
Forest Covin, 48, of Rockwell Avenue was arrested Saturday in his residence and charged with hindering apprehension, resisting arrest, possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, distributing a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of public housing or a park and tampering with physical evidence.
Officers Todd Coleman, Christopher Gant, Julio Delacruz and Stanley Eskridge were dispatched to Rockwell Avenue on a noise complaint at 4:43 a.m. Saturday.
As the officers approached, Covin was alerted by another individual that the police were in the area, according to Lt. Bruce Johantgen.
Covin, who was standing on the back porch of his residence, was known to Coleman because of Covin’s past history with the Long Branch Police Department, noted Johantgen.
Covin attempted to enter his residence but at the same time dropped a clear plastic bag which contained smaller green and red plastic bags.
At that point, officers ordered Covin to stop, said Johantgen, but he ignored their demands, retrieved the bag from the deck and fled into the residence, where he locked himself in the bathroom.
"While attempting to force the bathroom door open, the officers could hear Covin flushing the toilet," Johantgen said.
After the officers initially forced the door open, Covin attempted to push it back closed but Coleman’s arm prevented the door from shutting, and the officers were able to use pepper spray to help subdue Covin.
According to Johantgen, it took several officers to bring the 250-pound Covin under control despite his having been sprayed with pepper spray.
Once inside, officers were able to recover approximately nine foil packets containing a white powder substance believed to be cocaine on the floor and on the toilet.
Also found were red and green plastic bags similar to the ones found on the porch.
Coleman sustained minor bruising to his arm during the struggle to open the door.
Covin’s bail was set at $50,000 with no 10 percent bond option and he was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township.
He was released after posting bail on Monday.