Belleville Man Almost Hit Newark Cop During Getaway: Police

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Authorities have apprehended a Belleville man who allegedly tried to escape the scene of a drug sting in Newark by driving his car directly at a police sergeant last month. The targeted sergeant fired his weapon during the encounter, which ended with the suspect’s escape and a damaged police vehicle.

The alleged assault took place around 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 near Broadway and Crane Street, where officers from the Newark Police Department were conducting a “drug operation,” the Newark Department of Public Safety (NDPS) stated.

During the operation, the officers tried to investigate a black, four-door Acura TL. When they moved in and tried to approach the driver he took off, allegedly aiming his car directly at a police sergeant. The Acura then fled south on Broadway.

The sergeant fired his weapon “due to the imminent threat to his life that of the other officers,” the NDPS stated. A police vehicle sustained damage to the front headlight and fender during the incident.

Detectives investigating the assault later identified Nathaniel Plummer, 32, of Belleville, as a suspect and secured a warrant for his arrest. Members of the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Newark Police Division’s Fugitive Apprehension Team arrested Plummer on March 2 in Belleville “without incident,” the NDPS stated.

Authorities charged Plummer with three counts of Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, as well as Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and Eluding.

Photo: Google Maps

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com