Crime & Safety

FBI Captures Newark Man In Georgia After Cop-Dragging Assault

The Newark man pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault of a police officer. He failed to show up for sentencing, authorities say.

NEWARK, NJ — FBI agents have apprehended a Newark man who fled to Georgia after he dragged a police officer for nearly 50 feet with his car during a vehicle pursuit, prosecutors said.

On Wednesday, Atlanta FBI agents and the Task Force Officers of the FBI arrested Donnell Cook, 27, at a residence in Lithonia, Georgia.

Cook failed to appear for sentencing at the Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick on September 29, 2017. He previously pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault of a police officer stemming from a vehicle pursuit where the officer was dragged about 50 feet, according to authorities.

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A federal Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution warrant was obtained after the initial fugitive investigation indicated that Cook fled to the metro Atlanta area, authorities said.

An extensive search for Cook included the coordinated efforts of the FBI Atlanta Field Office, the FBI Newark Field Office, Task Force Officers of the FBI, Atlanta Metro Major Offenders’ Task Force and the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office.

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Cook is being detained at the Dekalb County Detention Facility in Georgia and is awaiting extradition to New Jersey, authorities stated Wednesday.

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