SOUTH BRUNSWICK – South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka praised the restraint and actions of three officers who subdued a man reportedly high on PCP on Jan. 25.
“The suspect had destroyed the home, overturning tables and chairs, breaking a TV and was waiting for officers when they arrived. The confrontation was violent and the officers used tremendous skill and tactics to take the suspect into custody,” Hayducka said in a statement released by the police department on Jan. 28.
The incident began at 8 p.m. when officers Aaron Parks, Jarrid Harpster and Brian Luck were called to a Blackhorse Lane home for a man reportedly destroying the house. Officers reportedly found two distraught family members in the driveway saying a relative, a 41-year-old resident of North Brunswick, was threatening to kill them and was in the home destroying it. They believed he was high on PCP, according to the statement.
Officers reportedly observed the kitchen, living room and hallway in disarray with a table overturned and clothes scattered about, according to the statement. As the officers entered the kitchen, the man allegedly threw a microwave and a crock pot at them. Parks purportedly attempted to gain control of the man, but the man fled to a back bedroom. In the back bedroom, the man allegedly lunged at the officers and swung at Parks. Harpster then sprayed the suspect with pepper spray, but he continued to struggle with the officers in the small bedroom, police allege. Parks then tackled the man and took him to the ground. The officers were eventually able to get the suspect’s arms out from under him and handcuff him, according to the statement.
Paramedics arrived on scene and had to sedate the suspect. He was transported to Princeton Medical Center where he was treated and released.
The suspect was charged with aggravated assault on police, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, criminal mischief, harassment, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He was lodged in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center pending his first court appearance.
“This case highlights the every day dangers of the work we do. Dealing with people under the influence of drugs who are delusional and combative can have deadly consequences. In this case officers were able to use their training and defensive tactics to overcome the suspect. It is excellent police work that no one was seriously injured in this incident,” Hayducka said in the statement.