Disorderly Conduct/Warrant Arrest Leads to Assaults on Police Officers

[M Richards]

In response to several calls to the Newton Police and emergency 9-1-1 at about 6:11 AM on Thursday October 29, 2009, Police Officers responded to the area of Spring Street to investigate reports of a disturbance involving an argument between a man and a woman in that area.

 

Upon arrival, Officers located Matthew Delgado (an unemployed 18 year old resident of 168 Spring Street Apt. #1, Newton), and Gina Thornton (an unemployed 22 year old resident of the Newton area).  The two were engaged in a loud argument that had subsided with the presence of the Officers, however when five warrants for the arrest of Thornton were discovered, the two became uncooperative and disruptive.  Upon informing Thornton that she was under arrest, Delgado began to physically interfere with the Officers and attempted to prevent them from taking her into custody.  Due to this, it became necessary to arrest Delgado for obstructing the Officers. 

 

Delgado and Thornton physically resisted efforts by Police Officers to arrest them.  They punched and kicked the arresting officers.  Thornton also spit in the face of one of the Officers during the arrest.  Another Officer was kicked in the face by Thornton while attempting to place her in the patrol car.

 

Delgado was charged with the following:

·         Disorderly Conduct    NJS 2C:33-2a(1) Disorderly Person Offense

·         Obstruction  NJS 2C:29-1b. Disorderly Person Offense

·         Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer  NJS 2C:12-1b(5)(a)  Second Degree Crime

·         Resisting Arrest NJS 2C:29-2a(3)(b) Third Degree Crime

 

Delgado was lodged in the Sussex County Jail in default of bail set at $62,500 no 10% set by Hon. Judge John E. Mulhern JMC.

 

Thornton was charged with the following:

·         Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer NJS 2C:12-1b(5)(a) Third Degree Crime

·         Throwing Bodily Fluids (assault)  NJS 2C:12-13 Fourth Degree Crime

·         Obstruction NJS 2C:29-1b. Disorderly Person Offense

·         Disorderly Conduct NJS 2C:33-2a. Disorderly Person Offense

·         Resisting Arrest NJS 2C:29-2a(3)(b) Third Degree Crime

 

Thornton was lodged in the Sussex County Jail in default of bail set at $30,000 no 10% by Hon. Judge John E. Mulhern JMC.

 

The five warrants that had existed for the arrest of Thornton were from the Newton Municipal Court stemming from charges for Simple Assault, Trespassing and False Reports to Law Enforcement.  The total bail for these warrants was an additional $2800.00 no 10%.

 

Three Newton Police Officers were treated at the Newton Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, after the arrestees were secured at headquarters, for minor injuries and released.  Andover Police also responded to the scene to provide assistance.