LAKEWOOD — A Long Branch man was arrested after allegedly assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest during a disturbance in downtown Lakewood early Saturday morning, authorities said.
Lakewood police responded to the area of Second Street and Clifton Avenue at approximately 2:08 a.m. on May 30 following reports of a disturbance involving multiple individuals.
According to police, officers were attempting to investigate the incident and restore order when they encountered a man who allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted one of the responding officers.
The suspect, identified as Jonathan Lopez-Perez, 24, of Long Branch, was taken into custody without further incident.
Lopez-Perez was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. He was processed at Lakewood Police Headquarters before being transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is being held pending court proceedings.
Police Chief Gregory H. Meyer praised the officers involved in the incident.
“Every day our officers respond to volatile and unpredictable situations in an effort to keep our community safe,” Meyer said. “The assault of a law enforcement officer will not be tolerated, and I am proud of the professionalism displayed by the officers who quickly brought this incident under control while minimizing the risk of injury to everyone involved.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
The charges are accusations, and Lopez-Perez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
