SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Woman charged with assault

by Davy James, Staff Writer
   A Maryland resident was arrested on assault charges after she allegedly tried to hit a police officer with her car following an incident at a local car dealership.
   Maria Rojas, 39, of District Heights, Md., was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and eluding on March 5.
   At 9:30 p.m., police were dispatched to Acme Nissan on Route 130 to respond to a reported customer dispute. Patrol Officer Michael Urstadt responded to the call and upon arrival saw a man standing in front of a 2008 Nissan Altima.
   When Officer Urstadt approached he witnessed the Altima, driven by Ms. Rojas, intentionally accelerate toward the man, later identified as dealership manager Richard Braude, police said.
   Officer Urstadt positioned his vehicle in front of the Altima and activated his overhead lights. He then got out of his police cruiser and gave Ms. Rojas commands to stop and park the Altima. Ms. Rojas proceeded to aim her vehicle in the officer’s direction and she accelerated in an attempt to run him over, according to police.
   Officer Urstadt was able to dodge the vehicle, which sped out of the car dealership lot and headed north on Route 130, police said. Patrol Officer Roger Touhy, who was in the course of responding to the incident, was able to intercept the vehicle driven by Ms. Rojas at the BP Gas Station at the corner of Route 130 and Davidsons Mill Road, police said.
   Police said Ms. Rojas attempted to fight with the officers, who were able to take her into custody without injury to any of the parties.
   Ms. Rojas was allegedly at the dealership to locate a boyfriend who works there, according to police. She got into the dispute after being asked to leave the premises by Mr. Braude.
   Ms. Rojas was released on $5,000 bail.