Man Spit On Gloucester Cop, Said He Had Coronavirus: Authorities

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A 33-year-old man was arrested after spitting on a Gloucester Township police officer and claiming he had coronavirus, according to the State Attorney General’s Office.

Zachary Hagin was arrested on March 20 after he assaulted a Gloucester Township police officer and spit on him, according to the Office of the Attorney General. He claimed to have coronavirus.

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Gloucester Township police were responding to a call of what appeared to be a break-in by a man who was intoxicated, according to Fox 29.

Hagin was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and endangering, according to the Attorney General.

It was one of a number of crimes related to the coronavirus committed across New Jersey. Read more here: Authorities Detail Alleged Coronavirus Crimes Throughout NJ

“Last week, I said the time for warnings is over and those violating the COVID-19 emergency orders will face strong law enforcement action,” Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said on Wednesday. “Police all across New Jersey are making good on that vow by charging violators with crimes. Now, with the cases being announced today, we’re letting our dedicated officers know that we have their backs as they work tirelessly to maintain public safety and health at this difficult time.”

It is the second incident of a man attacking Gloucester Township police reported in a nine-day span. On March 29, a Gloucester Township man was arrested for assaulting officers who were responding to a domestic dispute at a home on Little Gloucester Road.

Leonard W. Antonelli was shaking a child and calling him a racial slur when police responded to the home. Antonelli also assaulted officers and needed to be subdued before he was eventually arrested.Read more here: Gloucester Township Man Attacked Child, Cops: Police

“We take all assaults on police officers seriously, but it is especially heinous for someone to spit or cough at an officer in an attempt to infect or threaten to infect them with COVID-19,” Grewal said. “Hundreds of officers across New Jersey are already infected with the virus, which, in many cases, they likely contracted by protecting and serving the public while on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19. We have zero tolerance for anyone who uses the coronavirus as a weapon or instrument of terror against officers bravely performing their duties during this health crisis.”

“Troopers and officers throughout the State do not have the ability to work from home or practice social distancing while protecting and serving the residents of New Jersey in the midst of this pandemic. Law enforcement comes with many risks, none of which do the men and women who wear a badge shy away from,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police. “For a defendant to intentionally expose an officer to COVID-19 is not just an assault on that officer, it’s an assault on their family members, fellow officers, and the general public. Anyone who uses the virus as a weapon against an officer will face a swift law enforcement response.”

Anyone who sees someone breaking a coronavirus law should contact their local police department or report it at https://covid19.nj.gov/violation.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know