Two individuals were arrested in Bayonne after spitting at and head-butting police officers, resisting arrest as authorities attempted to disburse a crowd.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Jerome N. Sheppard, 19, and a juvenile, 16, both of Bayonne, were each charged with aggravated assault, obstructing a governmental function, resisting arrest, and inciting a riot/preventing official action, according to Police Capt. Eric Amato.
They were taken into custody at about 4:03 p.m. yesterday from the area of 18th Street and Avenue E.
Officers responded to the area on a report of large unruly group congregating which some individuals present were possibly involved in an earlier report of a violent incident in the area with another party.
As they arrived, the group fled in different directions. While the area, police were able to locate several and conduct an investigation. In the midst of their investigation with the teenager, he became irate and spat at the officer as he behaved disorderly.
He was then advised that he was being taken into custody, at which time a group of 10-15 individuals surrounded the officers and began causing a commotion.
As the officers continued to place Juvenile 1 into custody, he resisted by tensing his body and arms while still spitting at the officers.
He was ultimately placed into handcuffs as the unruly group continued to surround the officers, yell obscenities at them, and refused orders to disperse.
As authorities attempted to remove him from the scene and disperse the group, Sheppard charged at the officers as the officers escorted Juvenile 1.
While running towards the officers, Sheppard was behaving tumultuously and enticing the large group to move towards the officers.
As an officer ordered Sheppard to step away, Sheppard struck the officer with his shoulder and pushed the officer.
He was then advised that he was under arrest for the assault and while placing him in handcuffs, Sheppard resisted by tensing his body and arms.
Once in handcuffs and during the search incident to arrest, Sheppard head-butted an officer in the face. As a result, he faced an assault charge, officials said.
Additionally, the aforementioned violent incident reported earlier remains under investigation.
