Police: Drunken Man Resisted Arrest, Spit on Officer

A drunken township man resisted arrest, hurt himself punching a wall in a holding cell and spit on an officer last month, Jefferson Police said.

Andrew Burkhardt, 22, was charged with assault, resisting arrest and throwing bodily fluids on a police officer.

According to a department report, officers went to a Highland Road residence on Sept. 17 for a reported dispute and encountered Burkhardt, who police allege was highly intoxicated. When officers ordered Burkhardt to put his hands behind his back, he refused to comply, according to the report.

After being taken to police headquarters and placed in a holding cell, Burkhardt began to punch and kick the walls, hurting himself, the report said. An ambulance was called, and as Burkhardt was being placed into the vehicle for transport to St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville, police said he spit on Officer Chet Glazweski.

Burkhardt was treated and released from the hospital and later was released pending a court appearance, police said.