Cliffwood Man Spit At Police, Said He Had Coronavirus: AG

CLIFFWOOD, NJ ― Even well into May, the incidents continue across New Jersey of people allegedly spitting or coughing on police officers and saying they have the coronavirus.

On May 18, Aberdeen police say a Cliffwood man became combative and attempted to spit on police officers, telling them he had COVID-19 when police responded to his home for a domestic violence call.

David Youssef, 31, of Cliffwood, was charged by the Aberdeen police with two counts of making terroristic threats during an emergency (one for allegedly threatening to kill certain relatives, and one for claiming to have COVID-19 and attempting to spit on officers), aggravated assault on an officer, resisting arrest, throwing bodily fluids at an officer, endangering and harassment.

When police responded to the home for a call about domestic violence, Youssef allegedly became combative and attempted to spit on officers, telling them he had COVID. He allegedly pushed and wrestled with officers during his arrest.

The arrest was made by Aberdeen police, but announced by New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who is tasked with enforcing Gov. Murphy's stay-at-home orders during the pandemic.

“We’re cracking down on those who jeopardize public health and undermine public safety,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We have zero patience for those who spit on cops, gouge prices or try to exploit this pandemic for their personal gain.”