Union: NJ Officers Mobbed and Beaten Making Arrest

A union head said a violent scene played out in Newark Tuesday afternoon when multiple police officers attempting to make an arrest were attacked and injured by a group of alleged assailants.

Two Newark Police officers and a detective from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office were patrolling the area of Fabyan Place and Cypress Street around 1:30 p.m. in response to recent gun violence in that area, when they approached a group of men on the street and attempted to stop one man who was suspected of gun possession, Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara told NJ Advance Media .

Two brothers of the suspect came to the scene and “physically interfered” with the arrest and the officers called for backup, O’Hara said. Two officers were injured while attempting to make the arrest, officials said.

The officers were taken to University Hospital with minor injuries and were later released, O’Hara said. No other injuries were reported.

James Stewart, president of the Newark Fraternal Order of Police, described the alleged incident in more detail. He said three officers working in Newark were “set upon by a mob of people” while trying to make the arrest.

“Our officers were pummeled to the ground, kicked in the head and choked,” Stewart told NJ Advance Media. “Body worn cameras were forcibly removed and smashed on the ground by the suspects.”