Minor Injuries For 2 Belleville Cops After Scuffle With Suspect

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A pair of Belleville police officers suffered minor injuries after a recent scuffle with a Newark man found in possession of narcotics and a switchblade knife, authorities say.

According to the Belleville Police Department, officers on patrol allegedly saw a driver leaning over the steering wheel of a parked vehicle on Delavan Place around 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 28. When the officers went to check on the man, they detected the smell of marijuana.

The officers ordered the man to get out of the vehicle, which he did. However, he then refused to remove his hands from his pockets, even when instructed to do so multiple times, police said.

The man – later identified as Yamir Diaz, 33, of Newark – then fled on foot. Police apprehended Diaz after a short chase, but he allegedly refused to take his hands from around his waist and continued to struggle, striking the officers multiple times with his elbows, authorities said.

A nearby motorist stopped to help the officers and eventually, they were able to place Diaz in custody, police said.

Police found Diaz in possession of an envelope containing an unspecified amount of heroin, nine pills of “molly” (MDMA), an unspecified amount of marijuana and a switchblade that was found on the driver’s side floor of the vehicle, authorities said in a release.

Police charged Diaz with possession of a CDS, possession of marijuana, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest and possession of prohibited weapon.

Both officers were treated for minor injuries at scene, police said.

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