Police have identified the jail detainee who allegedly assaulted a Newark police officer during a Thursday evening escape attempt University Hospital.
Police officials say Jose Rodriguez beat a Newark police officer while attempting to escape custody from University Hospital. NEWARK -- Police have identified the jail detainee who allegedly assaulted a Newark police officer during a Thursday evening escape attempt University Hospital as Jose Rodriguez.
Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said Rodriguez, 44, was receiving treatment at the hospital following an arrest for receiving stolen property when he attacked a veteran police officer. Details of the arrest were not immediately made available.
The officer was in the process of removing Rodriguez handcuffs solo when the assault began, Ambrose said. During the alleged assault, Rodriguez unsuccessfully attempted to disarm the officer, he added.
The exact extent of the officer's injuries remains unclear, but police sources told NJ Advance Media the officer, a 22-year veteran of the department, sustained significant facial wounds.
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James Stewart, president of the Newark Fraternal Order of Police, said Friday that the officer is now at home with her family after receiving medical treatment for her injuries.
Following the alleged assault, Rodriguez fled the building, Ambrose said. Rutgers police apprehended him hiding under a car parked car in a UMDNJ parking lot located on South Orange Avenue a few minutes later, officials said.
Rodriguez now faces charges of aggravated assault in connection with the incident.
Rodriguez' brief escape is fourth such incident since March 2015. Elijah Shabazz, 46, evaded police capture for more than a month after walking out of a guarded room at University Hospital in March of that year.
Three months later, Martin Sanchez, 34, walked out of the hospital undetected after receiving treatment.
In August 2015, Michael Majette, 40, of East Orange ducked his police guards while receiving treatment at the hospital, escaping through a bathroom door. Both men were apprehended a short time after their respective escapes.
Whether the inmate custody protocols failed in connection with the most recent incident was not immediately made clear.
The injured officer was "briefly separated" from her partner when the attack began, Stewart said. "Although she was injured, he[Rodriguez] didn't win because right now he is still in a cell," Stewart added.
Asked about the circumstances that led to the incident, Ambrose said a full investigation of the incident by the Newark Police Department internal affairs and administrative review of the department's inmate supervision protocols are underway.
Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.