Dispute Between Woodbridge Cops, Man Who Says He Was Beaten

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — A dispute has arisen between police and a man who says Woodbridge law enforcement beat him during an arrest.

Woodbridge police arrested the Elizabeth man June 1 after they say he broke into multiple homes and a car on Oak Avenue.

However the man, Qwason Campbell, 24, said he was jumped by Woodbridge police, beaten unconscious and woke up after being taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, according to Salaam Ismial, director of National United Youth Council Inc., which he describes as a youth and family advocacy group based in Elizabeth.

There was a small rally of about eight people outside the Woodbridge Twp. Municipal building at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night, trying to bring awareness to the incident. Supporters of Campbell say they want the Middlesex County Prosecutor's office to open up an investigation.

However, the version Campbell presents is very different from what Woodbridge police say occurred on that date:

Woodbridge police say that at 12:21 a.m. on June 1, they received a 911 call of a burglary to a home on Sherry Street. The homeowner reported that she saw an unknown person inside her home with a flashlight, and reported that the person fled when she yelled at him. She said her wallet and car keys were stolen during the burglary.

A short time later Woodbridge police received a call reporting a man breaking into a car nearby on Oak Avenue. Police say the caller gave a description of the man and Campbell, who matched the description, was located by police. He was hiding in the bushes in the area of Regency Place, said Woodbridge town spokesman John Hagerty.

Police initiated a foot chase and he was apprehended, according to Woodbridge Police Capt. Scott Kuzma.

Police say Campbell had in his possession the wallet and keys stolen during the Sherry Street burglary, as well as items stolen from additional burglaries.

Campbell was charged with six counts of burglary, two counts of theft, one count of receiving stolen property, two counts of theft of a credit card and resisting arrest. He was taken to the Middlesex County jail.

However, Campbell's family said Campbell and his girlfriend were driving through Woodbridge on that night, headed to the Perth Amboy apartment they share, according to Ismial.

They got into an argument and he got out of the car and she drove off. He said after that he was approached by Woodbridge police who began asking him questions. He said he started walking away.

According to Ismial, that's when Campbell said police rushed him, tackled him and beat him.

"He said the police bum-rushed him, asking his name and all of a sudden three officers got out of the car and tackled him," said Ismial. "He said he woke up unconscious inside a hospital. That's all he can remember."

But Hagerty said that after police found Campbell in the bushes on Regency Place, they approached, ordered him to the ground, told him he was under arrest and that's when he ran from the police.

Hagerty said while running, Campbell tripped over some drainage pipes and into some bushes. He said an officer then tackled him and Campbell resisted being placed into handcuffs by police.

Hagerty said Campbell was taken to Woodbridge police headquarters, where he was treated by first aid personnel for bruises to his head. It was at police headquarters that Campbell indicated he wanted to go to the hospital, and he was taken to Raritan Bay.

He had to have staples in his head, according to Ismail. He was then released back to the custody of Woodbridge police.

Of the homeowner who called 911, Ismial said:

"The woman did not say she saw him, she said she saw someone who looked like him. I cannot explain the allegations. But I can provide clear evidence that this man was injured while in the custody of Woodbridge police officers. That is a fact."

"Of course they are going to say that (he fell and hit his head)," said Ismial. "He fell conveniently and hit his head, enough to have staples in his head."

A use-of-force report was filed by Woodbridge police. Woodbridge police do not wear personal body cameras.