Maplewood Officer Assaulted During Marijuana Arrest

An 18-year-old Maplewood man assaulted a police officer in the parking lot on Saturday night after the man was found to be in possession of marijuana.

When Maplewood Police Officer Ray Rosania discovered that Marcus Johnson, 18, of Maplewood, was in possession of nine small bags of marijuana, he attempted to place him under arrest in the parking lot of the Springfield Avenue Quick Chek. Officers report that Johnson assumed a fighting stance and punched Rosania in the chest. Rosania, with the assistance of Officer Nick Rella, gained control of Johnson, got him handcuffed and transported him to headquarters for processing. 

Johnson was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, two counts of resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school ().

A 17-year-old Maplewood teen was also taken into custody after he attempted to interfere in the arrest of Johnson. The teen was later turned over to his father after being charged with obstruction of the administration of law and disorderly conduct. 

The two officers were not injured in the incident.