NEWARK, NJ – Four men were arrested for assaulting police officers after interfering with an arrest of an alleged kidnapping suspect on Friday.
At approximately 12:15 a.m., a police officer was placing Barry into his patrol car after he was arrested in the 400 block of Elizabeth Avenue on charges of kidnapping, robbery, and weapons offenses based on a citizen’s complaint. The police officer was grabbed by Vines, who attempted to interfere with the arrest. Vines was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, obstruction of the administration of the law, and resisting arrest, according to a statement issued Saturday by the Newark Police Department.
According to Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé, Rashon Vines, 32, Darnee Thomas, 33, and Isaiah Diggs, 22, were arrested in connection with obstructing the administration of the law during the arrest of Alhassane Barry, 24.
“I commend the officers involved in this incident for ensuring that each suspect was swiftly and safely arrested,” Director Fragé said. “When our officers are attacked, we work vigorously to immediately identify the offenders and seek to prosecute the suspects to the fullest extent of the law. Attacks against Newark Police, who diligently serve their community, will not be tolerated,” he added.
Thomas and Diggs also attempted to intervene by preventing the arrest of Barry and Vines, but both men fled the scene before they could be apprehended. Thomas and Diggs were later identified by police, and both have been arrested. Each man faces charges of obstruction of the administration of the law and inciting a riot. Thomas is further charged with aggravated assault on a police officer.
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