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WEST MILFORD - Man allegedly assaults officer, goes for his gun
(by Rebecca Scanlon - News Editor - October 02, 2008)
WEST MILFORD - A township man, who a family member said had been acting strangely, hurled a hammer at a local police officer and hit him in the head, authorities said. The man also unsuccessfully tried to wrestle away the officer’s handgun in the Tuesday, Sept. 23 incident, police reported.
Joseph D. Goodman, 22, was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, a third-degree crime, for his alleged attack on Officer Anthony Parrello. Goodman was also charged with attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, a second-degree crime; possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, a third-degree crime; and resisting arrest, another third-degree crime.
If convicted Goodman faces 25 years in prison and more than $100,000 in fines.
Officers Parrello and James DeVore responded to the Crest Hill Drive home where the man’s unusual behavior was reported at 9:55 p.m. The homeowner told the officers that his stepson, Goodman, had been in the garage earlier and was “acting strangely,” Detective Lt. Peter Van Gilst said.
The officers spoke with Goodman, who said he would show the officers what he had been doing and led them into the garage. The lights in the garage were out, however, because Goodman had reportedly put a screwdriver into the electrical outlets. This was the unusual behavior that had prompted the family to beckon police for help.
When the homeowner attempted to reset the electrical breaker, Goodman allegedly picked up a hammer and threw it at Parrello, and the tool struck the police officer in the head.
The man then ran toward the opposite side of the garage and attempted to hide, police said. When the homeowner was able to restore the lights, Goodman allegedly attacked Parrello again and attempted to wrestle away the officer’s handgun. The two fell to the floor during the struggle and Parrello and DeVore, with some help from Goodman’s stepfather, were eventually able to subdue the man, the blotter states.
Goodman was placed under arrest and then transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic. After being cleared by the Crisis Unit, Goodman was taken back to police headquarters.
On Thursday, Goodman was lodged in the Passaic County Jail in default of bail, which Judge Joseph Perconti had set at $100,000. Goodman was scheduled to appear in Municipal Court on Oct. 9.
Officer Parrello was treated at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains for head and body injuries, including a possible concussion and a leg wound where he was struck with the hammer. He was released but further evaluation and treatment were expected, police said.
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