Dirt Biker Who Dragged Cop Into Middle Of Route 22 Convicted

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ — A Plainfield man, who dragged a police officer into the middle of Route 22, was convicted by a jury recently.

On Sept. 13, following a week-long trial, a Somerset County Jury convicted Victor Ogando-Marte, 39, of Plainfield, of third-degree aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, third-degree resisting arrest, and disorderly persons inflicting bodily injury with a deadly weapon.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 1, at which time Ogando-Marte faces up to five years in New Jersey State Prison.

On April 13, 2022, the Ogando-Marte was driving an illegal dirt bike on Route 22 in North Plainfield, along with about 15 to 20 others, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office(SCPO).

Testimony during the trial reported that, during rush hour, the dirt bike pack was driving recklessly by weaving in and out of traffic, popping wheelies, and obstructing the passage of other vehicles.

Near the intersection of Rock Avenue, North Plainfield Police Officer James Kirchner tried to arrest Ogando-Marte.

During his attempt, Ogando-Marte used the dirt bike to drag Kirchner from the shoulder into the middle of the highway causing bodily injury to Kirchner, said authorities.

Once on the ground, Ogando-Marte continued to resist arrest, while other dirt bikers circled and attacked the officer, said authorities.

"Thanks to the intervention of Good Samaritans, 911 callers, off-duty police officers, and responding backup, [Ogando-Marte] was ultimately subdued," according to the SCPO.

The remaining dirt bikes fled the scene.

The State thanked the North Plainfield Police Department, the Union County Police Department, and the Investigative Division of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Officer.

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