FREEHOLD — Charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and being a disorderly person were lodged against a Freehold Borough man on April 23.
According to Freehold Borough police Lt. Michael Sweetman, officers were dispatched to the vicinity of the firehouse on West Main Street at 10:13 p.m. for a report of a fight.
Sweetman said that when the officers arrived, they found Christopher Lehmann, 45, of Stokes Street, who appeared to be “extremely intoxicated,” standing on the side of the firehouse.
“He appeared to have a bloody face and appeared to have been involved in a fight,” Sweetman said.
The lieutenant said that while the officers were attempting to determine what had happened to Lehmann, he became loud and abusive not only to the police officers, but to pedestrians standing nearby.
“The officers warned Mr. Lehmann to cease his behavior, but his behavior continued to escalate,” Sweetman said. “His behavior was causing people in the area to become alarmed.”
Sweetman said that as the officers attempted to place Lehmann under arrest and into handcuffs, he pulled Patrolman Keith Bailey by his jacket and both men fell to the ground— and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Lehmann allegedly began striking Bailey.
Sweetman said other officers arrived at the scene and handcuffed Lehmann. He was taken into custody, processed and placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, in default of $6,000 bail.
— ClareMarie Celano

