Police: Man Allegedly Resists Arrest, Spits in Officer's Face

A Bloomfield man who allgedly spit in an officer's face during a struggle was charged with receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and aggravated assault, said.

Christopher Barnes, 51, was arrested at the on Tuesday after Officer Paul Levi discovered a 2000 Lincoln Town Car that had been reported stolen Saturday out of East Orange, police said. The officer was patrolling the hotel's parking lot when he spotted the car.

An investigation led him to Barnes' room, where he was staying with his wife, Danielle Barnes, of East Orange, police said.

When officers told Barnes he was under arrest, he allegedly struggled with Levi and Officer Matthew LaManna and Sgt. Daniel Bendas, who had also responded, police said.

Barnes allegedly attempted to jump from the second-floor balcony of the motel, but was subdued and taken into custody with the assistance of additional officers who arrived on the scene, police said.

During the struggle, Barnes allegedly spit in the face of an officer, police said. Danielle Barnes was arrested by LaManna for allegedly physically intervening as officers were attempting to place her husband into custody, police said.

Christopher Barnes was charged with receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and aggravated assault on an officer. His bail was set at $25,000 with no 10 percent option and he was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail.

Danielle Barnes, who police said has multiple aliases, was charged with obstructing administration of the law. During processing, she was discovered to allegedly be in possession of two glass pipes commonly used to smoke controlled dangerous substances, and she was also charged with possession of CDS paraphernalia, police said.

An active no bail warrant out of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, as well as a $135 warrant out of Watchung Borough were also discovered for her arrest, police said. She was turned over to the custody of the Union County Sheriff’s Department.