By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Somerset County announced the arrest of Derick Donel Lewis Jr., 35, of Bridgeton, following a 911 call in relation to a dispute.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald stated that Somerset County Communications Center dispatching for Manville Police received a 911 call of a woman having a dispute with an unknown male, later identified as Derick Donel Lewis Jr., stating that he had threatened her child.
Manville police were dispatched to the scene, but prior to the patrol’s arrival, Lewis had fled the location, and initial responding Manville patrol officers learned that Lewis was allegedly in possession of a scratched firearm and wanted on an NCIC warrant from Asbury Park (Monmouth County) for robbery and was listed as an armed and dangerous individual, according to SCPO officials.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Friday, August 15, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, along with members of the Manville Police Department, and members of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office K9, responded to the area of Manville to conduct a canvas search for Lewis.
The subsequent investigation into this incident revealed that Lewis was located within the Somerville area, Somerset County officials say. Law enforcement began searching the area, resulting in Lewis being located at the Somerville Train Station.
Members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and the Somerville Police Department approached and confronted Lewis, who aggressively resisted arrest, resulting in injuries to law enforcement, Somerset County officials stated.
During the arrest, SCPO officials said, Lewis was found to be in possession of a replica Glock handgun, which he attempted to draw from his waistband during the violent struggle.
The law enforcement officers who confronted and arrested Lewis demonstrated the utmost restraint as they were faced with a potential deadly force encounter, Somerset County authorities said. As a result of the struggle with defendant Lewis, a Somerville Police Officer sustained bruising and swelling to her face after being struck by defendant’s elbow.
The officer also sustained a broken middle finger on her left hand, caused by defendant Lewis actively resisting arrest. Defendant Lewis also assaulted an additional Somerville Officer by spitting in the face of the male officer, Somerset County officials said.
According to SCPO officials, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sergeant and a Detective assigned to assist in the investigation and locate defendant Lewis also received minor scrapes and bruises as they attempted to place defendant under arrest along with the Somerville Officers.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that defendant Lewis was charged with three (3) counts of Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement, 2nd degree offense, One (1) count of Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement, 3rd degree offense, One (1) count of Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement, 4th degree offense, Resisting Arrest, 4th degree offense, and Possession of an Imitation Handgun, 4th degree.
Defendant Lewis was subsequently transported to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment for minor abrasions received during the arrest, Somerset County officials say.