Morris Man Punched by Cops While Resisting Arrest for Stealing Credit Card, Police Say

A Morris County man accused of fraudulently using his ex-girlfriend’s credit card tried resisting arrest and was subsequently punched, twice, by police while being apprehended, Hopatcong police said.

On Nov. 6, a Hopatcong woman went to police headquarters to report someone had used her credit card to buy car items on Amazon.com, Lt. Thomas Kmetz said. The alleged victim contacted Amazon, police said, but was only able to get the name “Wallace,” Kmetz said.

At that point the woman realized it could be her ex-boyfriend, Wallace Krake, 36,who was recently arrested and charged with burglary for allegedly stealing blank checks and jewelry from a home he was doing repair work in. Krake has addresses in Landing and Netcong, Kmetz said.

A search warrant with $16,000 bail was issued for Krake, and police from Hopatcong and Netcong combined to search for Krake. A search of Netcong Heights apartments led police to Krake’s car, and police knocked on doors until they found him, Kmetz said.

When officers found Krake, they attempted to arrest him inside the apartment, but the defendant said he “was not going anywhere,” Kmetz said. Krake wouldn’t give the officers his hands, Kmetz said, and a struggle ensued.

One of the officers punched Krake on the left side of the face two times, and he was eventually handcuffed, Kmetz said. During the apprehension, police found a knife in Krake’s pocket, Kmetz said.

While at Hopatcong Police Department, Krake complained of chest pains. He was taken to Newton Hospital, and was later released and taken to Sussex County Jail.

The parts he ordered from Amazon, totaling $171.03 on three separate transactions, were found on his car at the time of arrest, Kmetz said, and are being removed.

Krake was charged with three counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, three counts of intent to defraud, theft of a credit card, identity theft, and resisting arrest.