Sparta Man Refused To Wear Mask In Store, Attacked Officers: Cops

SPARTA, NJ - A 73-year-old Sparta man faces several charges including aggravated assault of a police officer when he became combative over his refusal to wear a mask at a food store, according to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal.

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“Our police officers are working bravely and tirelessly every day to protect us during this health crisis. Regrettably, they are being called upon far too often to deal with people violating the emergency orders— or what is more egregious, people using the virus to spread fear or impede officers in their vital work,” said Grewal. “Staying home and maintaining social distance isn’t just the best advice to stay healthy, it’s the law. Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to keep our residents and officers safe, and that means we won’t hesitate to file charges against violators.”

Wadim Sakiewicz was charged April 17 by the Sparta Police Department with making terroristic threats during an emergency (2nd degree), aggravated assault on an officer (4th degree), resisting arrest (4th degree), obstruction (disorderly persons offense), criminal mischief (disorderly persons offense), and violating the emergency orders, police said.

On April 15, Sakiewicz entered Stop & Shop in Sparta without wearing a face mask, police said. When an employee asked him to leave, he became combative, and when a second employee escorted him out of the store, he allegedly said he had the coronavirus and began to cough on the employee, police said. The store alerted police, who identified and located Sakiewicz on April 17, police said. Sakiewicz allegedly physically resisted arrest and tried to spit on and bite officers, police said.

The defendants who were charged strictly with violating the emergency orders and who do not face more serious charges were charged by summons— they were not arrested. Those cases will be adjudicated in municipal court.

“Law enforcement and medical professionals are on the frontlines of this battle to protect the citizens of New Jersey from the COVID-19 virus, and we cannot stress enough how important it is that each person follow the guidelines set forth in the Executive Order,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Because lives are at stake, enforcement action will be taken without hesitation against those who are blatantly placing the lives of others at risk.”

Violations of the emergency orders constitute a disorderly persons offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. However, violators can potentially face criminal charges including second, third, and fourth degree indictable offenses.

On April 1, Grewal announced enhanced charges against six individuals who were charged with assaulting law enforcement officers and violating the emergency orders. Specifically, those enhanced charges included making terroristic threats during a state of emergency, which is a second degree offense and carries a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Defendant Wadim Sakiewicz is similarly charged for his alleged conduct.

Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

If you are seeing a lack of compliance with the Governor’s emergency orders in your town, please contact your local police departmentor report online.

The Attorney General’s Office and New Jersey State Police will continue to work with law enforcement throughout New Jersey to deter non-compliant behavior.

No one should take advantage of this pandemic to further their own biased agendas. COVID-19 is no excuse to promote anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and or other biased stereotypes. Please report bias crimes at 1-800-277-BIAS.

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