Fight Between Old Bridge Police Officer, Woman Caught On Camera

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — A 21-year-old South River woman was captured on video engaged in a vicious physical battle with an Old Bridge police officer on the side of Route 516 Tuesday, Old Bridge police confirmed.

Francesca Minickene, 21, of South River was originally pulled over by Old Bridge Police Officer Ronia Walrond for speeding, said Capt. Steve Daroci, the Old Bridge police public information officer. Walrond pulled her over into the Circle Manor shopping center off Route 516.

Her license turned up both suspended and expired, said Daroci. Walrond asked Minickene to get out of her car, and the young woman refused, he said.

Passerby Robert Rokicki captured the whole incident on video, below. He said he asked Walrond if she wanted help, and when she refused, he started filming instead: (Warning: There is profane language in the video.)

The officer was pulling Minickene out of the car, and that's when Minickene assaulted the officer, punching her under her chin, said Daroci.

Daroci read parts of the police report on the incident to Patch:

"She began getting upset, saying her license was not suspended. Francesca raised her voice, at which point she was advised she was under arrest," he said. "A struggle ensued and the girl punched the officer in her chin."

Rokicki said he was across the street but saw the entire incident. He said he saw the officer use Mace on the woman, but that was before he started recording.

"She was screaming after the Mace was used. But it didn't seem to change her. She still kept refusing to get out of the car," said Rokicki, a Sayreville resident. "I was on my way to the doctor when I saw it. I couldn't believe what I saw."

"I never saw who threw the first punch. It just looked like a fight. I thought it was a big guy beating up a little girl cop at first," he said. "When I pulled up, I was gonna help the cop. She said, 'No, no, I have people coming, stay out of it.' Then the girl got out and really started beating up the cop pretty good. I'm not a big fan of the cops around here, but this cop showed great restraint. This girl was really close to her and really hurting her. But (the officer) never grabbed her gun or her baton."

"You're f------ arresting me for no reason, bitch!" the woman being arrested can be heard yelling. At some point, she yells: "I'm being assaulted over here. I'm not getting out, I'm not f------ getting out!"

"I told you why I'm arresting you," shouted the officer.

Minickene was charged with careless driving, driving while suspended and having an expired license. She was also charged with assault on a police officer, making terroristic threats, obstruction of the law and resisting arrest. The officer sustained bruising to her face, Daroci said.