Crime & Safety
Man Assaults, Spits On Police Officer In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Police say Austin Evan Whitmire was trying to break a fence at a Branchburg business when he began yelling, cursing, and lunging at police.
BRANCHBURG, NJ — A man who is accused of assaulting and spitting at police was arrested and charged, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor.
Last Friday, Sept. 23 at around 11:47 p.m., Branchburg Township Police Officers were called to a business for a report of a disorderly customer who was trying to break a fence in the parking lot.
Police found a man, identified as Austin Evan Whitmire, age 24, Falls Church, Virginia, who was in the business parking lot bleeding from his right hand, said McDonald.
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As police spoke with Whitmire, he punched the fence and then began yelling and cursing before he lunged toward one of the officers, said McDonald.
Officers restrained Whitmire and while trying to handcuff him he refused to listen with their commands and kicked one of the officers on the thigh, according to the report.
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Another officer also got a minor cut on his leg during the arrest, said McDonald.
While being taken to an area hospital by the Branchburg Rescue Squad for treatment to his hand, Whitmire spit at one of the officers who was helping him into the ambulance, according to the report.
Whitmire was charged with third-degree aggravated assault on a police officer, fourth-degree throwing bodily fluid on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief and resisting arrest both disorderly person offenses, and creating public alarm, a petty disorderly persons offense.
After receiving medical treatment, Whitmire was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a
detention hearing.
Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact the Branchburg Township Police Department at 908-526-3830 or via the STOPit app.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
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