Worker 'Headbutted,' Assaulted By Fellow Restaurant Employee In Peapack & Gladstone: Cops

PEAPACK AND GLADSTONE, NJ — An assault between restaurant employees and road rage were among the incidents Peapack and Gladstone Police reported last week.

On Feb. 13: Officer Tamburello conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 206 for a speeding violation. Upon conducting a check of the operator’s driver’s license Tamburello learned that the driver, Angel Lopez-Martinez of Plainfield, had an active warrant in the amount of $500. Lopez-Martinez was processed on the warrant and released.

On Feb. 15: Corporal Morris and Chief Ferrante responded to Café Azzurro for the report of an assault. Upon arrival, Morris found the victim who was standing outside holding pressure to his nose. The victim was covered in blood and had scratches and bruising to his face. The victim advised he believed his nose was broken due to being head-butted and his left ring finger was also possibly broken. Further investigation revealed that the victim and assailant work at Café Azzurro and a physical fight broke out after a verbal altercation. Subsequently, the assailant, Gent Jashari of Peapack was placed under arrest for simple assault and lodged in the Somerset County Jail. The victim was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Somerset by members of the Peapack & Gladstone First Aid & Rescue Squad.

On Feb. 16: An individual came to police headquarters to report an act of road rage. The victim said he was driving on Route 206 north when he saw a black Lexus behind him driving aggressively. The victim stated that the driver continued to "flip him off" and swerve behind his vehicle. The victim further advised he attempted to "get away" from the individual; however, the individual continued to tailgate the victim. As both vehicles approached 190 Rt. 206 the black Lexus passed the victim on the shoulder. The driver of the black Lexus, later identified as Brian Heiman of Chester, then got out of his vehicle and struck the back window of the victim’s car with an unknown object. The victim pulled over to inspect for any damage; however, there was none. Heiman then drove off headed north on Route 206. The victim was able to provide this department with front and rear dash cam footage of the incident. Heiman was issued summonses for careless driving, improper passing, following too closely, reckless driving, unsafe lane change, and utilizing a cell phone while driving. This incident is still under investigation.

On Feb. 17: Shaun Lockhart of Maple Shade, was arrested on a warrant issued out of the Peapack - Gladstone Municipal Court in the amount of $1,000. Lockhart was processed and released after posting $100.