Rahson O. Thorn, 42, of Newark, is being charged with aggravated assault on police, throwing bodily fluids on police, resisting arrest and obstruction.
LINDEN -- A Newark man was arrested after police say he wrestled with and spit at officers during a traffic stop Tuesday night.
Linden Police said Rahson O. Thorn, 42, of Newark, wrestled and spit at officers during a traffic stop on Sept. 22, 2015. (Courtesy Linden PD)At 10:20 p.m., a Linden officer was on patrol when he observed a 2015 Ford Focus swerving and striking a curb while traveling on South Park Avenue, according to Police Capt. James Sarnicki.
Sarnicki said the vehicle was pulled over and stopped at Brunswick Avenue and South Park Avenue when the officer approached the lone occupant, Rahson O. Thorn, 42, of Newark. Thorn told the officer that the Ford was a rental vehicle, and he was unable to produce any paperwork, Sarnicki said.
Sarnicki said Thorn then rolled up the window and refused to speak to the officer, and when the officer opened up the door and asked him to exit the vehicle, he began to struggle with the officer.
The officer called for assistance on his radio and a backup officer arrived on the scene and the three were now wrestling on the ground, according to Sarnicki. Sarnicki said the officers were eventually able to handcuff Thorn but not before he struck the backup officer in the face twice with his hand, prompting the backup officer to use his pepper spray to get compliance.
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When a third officer arrived on the scene and assisted the handcuffed Thorn to the patrol car, Thorn spit at the officer striking him in the hand, Sarnicki said.
Thorn then complained of difficulty breathing and was taken to Trinitas Hospital where he was treated and released into police custody, Sarnicki said.
Thorn is being charged with aggravated assault on police, throwing bodily fluids on police, resisting arrest and obstruction. He also received motor vehicle summonses for having a suspended driver license, careless driving and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
He is being held at the Linden municipal jail this morning pending the setting of bail.
Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaRemoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
