Man Attempted to Provoke Cop Into Fight Prior to Arrest: Police

A Pennsauken man attempted to provoke a police officer into engaging in a fight last week, county officials said Monday morning.

However, even after the suspect began choking the officer to the point where he couldn’t breathe, officers continued to show restraint, ultimately subduing the suspect with a Taser, according to officials.

Officer Luis Gonzalez was on his walking beat foot patrol Thursday near the corner of Rosedale and Merriel avenues in Camden when he was approached by 25-year-old Felix Gutierrez, officials said.

Police allege Gutierrez told the officer he wanted to fight him, and reached for an object in his waistband.
Gutierrez then ran, and a foot chase ensued, police said.

The chase went on for more than a block, ending when Gutierrez stopped and pulled out a silver object, according to officials.

Police say Gutierrez then yelled to Gonzalez, asking if he was going to shoot him. Gonzalez was able to determine the object Gutierrez was holding was a lighter, not a gun.

Gutierrez then tackled the officer, and began choking him to the point where he couldn’t breathe, according to officials.

Officer Jae An arrived on the scene and deduced that Gonzalez was fighting for his life. Police say An worked to separate the two, but Gutierrez continued to resist.

Officer Kenneth Egan also arrived on the scene and was able to use a Taser to subdue Gutierrez.

Gutierrez was then arrested without further incident, and transported to Cooper University Hospital for evaluation, where he remained as of Monday morning.

Gutierrez was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.