Rehab Runaways Accused Of Assaulting Morris County Police Officers

MENDHAM, NJ — Two police officers were assaulted while looking for runaways from a substance abuse facility, Mendham Borough police said in a statement.

Officers responded to Daytop Village, a substance and mental health rehabilitation center in Mendham, for a report of three missing patients around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. All three were juveniles, police said.

Mendham Patrol Officer Lee Barnes found the patients near Route 24 and Kennedy Road in Mendham Township, but the three did not listen to Barnes' directions, police said.

While being taken into custody, the patients reportedly became combative and assaulted Barnes and Sgt. Joe Pirillo. Barnes was taken to Morristown Medical Center for an arm injury; he was treated and released.

All three patients were arrested and lodged in the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center, pending a Family Court appearance. Their names were not released.

Mendham Township Police and the Mendham First Aid Squad assisted.

Image via Shutterstock, Google Maps

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.