NEWARK – The drug suspect who attacked a Newark police officer yesterday morning was tracked down and arrested through his driver’s license, which he had handed the officer before the attack.
Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose reports the arrest of Dashon R. Roper, 36, of Newark, for assaulting the uniformed officer and attempting to grab the officer’s gun.
“We are not out here to be abused,” Ambrose said. “I want to make that clear. We can be compassionate, but we’re not going to be passive.”
According to police, at approximately 9:10 a.m., an officer of the 5th Precinct responded to the 300 block of Schley Street on complaints of drug dealing. During the officer’s questioning of a male suspect fitting the description of the complaints, the suspect handed the officer his driver’s license and dropped ten glassine envelopes of suspected CDS heroin.
The suspect then assaulted the officer, attempting to grab his gun.
The officer fought off the suspect and retained possession of his gun and the magazine, which popped out during the struggle.
The suspect, Roper, then fled on foot. He was arrested last night without incident. He faces charges of disarming a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, CDS possession, resisting arrest and obstructing the administration of the law.
“This officer acted responsibly, even heroically, in quickly responding to a complaint, then fighting off an attacker who tried to grab the officer’s weapon,” Ambrose said. “This could have had a much worse ending for the officer or the suspect.
I also commend the detectives who peacefully apprehended this suspect, who obviously poses a threat to law enforcement, without use of force.”
These charges are merely accusations. This suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.