Man Attacks East Brunswick Cop with Knife on Rt. 18: Police

An East Brunswick police officer is back at work after authorities say he was attacked by an accused car thief wielding a knife on Sunday, Nov. 8.

At approximately 9:15 a.m. that day, Patrolman Bruce Diamond with the East Brunswick police pulled over a 2000 Honda Civic in the parking lot of the American Office Mall (275 Rt. 18).

He stopped the car because the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Woodbridge the day before, according to police. The driver, Devin Seara, 26, of Woodbridge, started to get out of the car, and the officer told him to stay in the vehicle. Instead, police say, Seara tried to reach under the steering wheel in an attempt to restart the car.

Diamond told Seara to stop and tried to physically pull him out of the car, according to information from police. That’s when Seara allegedly reached into the front part of the center console and pulled out a knife. The officer grabbed his hand, and a physical struggle ensued, authorities said. The officer injured his hand, and was cut in his arms and legs during the struggle, police said.

At one point, Seara tried to get back into the vehicle, but was again restrained by Diamond, police said. As the officer tried to arrest him, Seara ran off towards Crosspointe development, located off Tices Lane.

Diamond gave chase, and other officers responded to the scene. A few minutes later Ptl. Robert Theoret found Seara hiding behind a bush on Crosspointe Drive. Seara again resisted arrest but was eventually taken into custody. The knife was found on scene near the bush where Seara was hiding.

Seara was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and treated for an injured arm. Diamond was treated for an injury to his hand, and lacerations to his arms and legs from the scuffle, authorities said.

“Patrolman Diamond was not admitted to the hospital; he was treated and released,” Lt. Kevin Zebro of the East Brunswick PD told Patch. “He is OK -- minor injury to his thumb, and some cuts to his hand and arm. He returned back to work for his next tour.”

Seara was released from the hospital, taken back to headquarters and charged with vehicle theft, aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and other charges. He was taken to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in lieu of $50,000 bail.