Newark Man Who Sucker-Punched Bishop Accused Of Slugging Cop

NEWARK, NJ — A man who previously served jail time after sucker-punching a bishop in the face during a Mass in Newark is facing accusations of violence again, this time for allegedly slugging a cop on Easter Sunday.

On Friday, Newark authorities announced that Charles Miller, 51, of Newark, is facing aggravated assault charges after allegedly punching a police officer on April 21.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, Miller got into a dispute at a gas station convenience store on the 300-block of Washington Street on April 20 and refused to leave the premises. He eventually left, but slammed the door on his way out, shattering it.

Miller returned to the store the next day – Easter Sunday – still wearing the same clothes. When police arrived on the scene, officers began to question him about the previous day’s incident, as well as an outstanding warrant, authorities said.

At that time, he “lunged at one of the officers and punched him in the face,” police said.

Police arrested Miller and charged him with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and criminal mischief.

It isn’t the first time Miller has gotten violent in Newark, police said. In January 2017 – clad in a white suit – Miller casually walked up to the altar at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark and punched the Rev. Manuel Cruz in the face as he was offering opening prayers.

• See related article: NJ Catholic Bishop Slugged In Mouth During Mass

No motive for the attack was clear, but during a court appearance, Miller self-identified himself as a “reverend” and made other questionable remarks. He eventually served several months in jail for the assault before being released in June 2017.

Cruz, the auxiliary archbishop of the Newark Diocese, was taken to a nearby hospital for non-serious injuries. He said after the incident that he didn’t want people to get “worked up” about the assault.

Watch video footage from the January 2017 assault below, first published by TAP Into Newark. WARNING: Contains imagery that some viewers may find disturbing.

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