Two men were arrested Saturday in separate DUI incidents in Newark, Delaware, that led to violent confrontations and left three police officers injured, according to the Newark Police Department.
The first incident occurred at approximately 4:03 a.m. on West Chestnut Hill Road, when officers observed a vehicle committing multiple traffic violations. Police stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Jacob Rahme, 23, of Wilmington. Officers conducted field sobriety tests and determined Rahme was under the influence of alcohol. When they attempted to arrest him, Rahme allegedly resisted and assaulted two officers.
The struggle resulted in injuries to both officers, though the nature of their injuries was not detailed by authorities. Rahme was eventually taken into custody and transported to Newark Police Headquarters. He faces multiple charges including second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer (two counts), resisting arrest with force or violence resulting in injury, and DUI. He was arraigned and released on $7,574 unsecured bail.
Later that evening, at approximately 11:37 p.m., police responded to a business in the 800 block of South College Avenue after receiving a report of a vehicle idling in a drive-through lane. Officers found Nicholas Dionisi, 37, of Newark, asleep in the driver’s seat. Police observed signs of impairment and conducted field sobriety tests before attempting an arrest.
Dionisi allegedly resisted, pulling away during the handcuffing process, which led to a physical altercation. One officer sustained an injury during the encounter. Dionisi, who has two prior DUI offenses, was charged with a third DUI offense along with second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. He was arraigned and issued a $5,500 cash bond.
Charges and custody status
Unlike Rahme, Dionisi was unable to post bond and was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution. Authorities did not release details on the severity of the injuries sustained by the three officers involved.
“Officers identified the driver as Jacob Rahme, 23, of Wilmington,” police said in a statement. Rahme was charged with seven offenses stemming from the early morning incident. Dionisi, whose arrest came nearly 20 hours later, faces three charges including felony assault.
The Newark Police Department has not indicated whether further investigation into either case is ongoing. No additional information about potential court appearances was immediately available.
Both arrests took place on Saturday amid increased DUI enforcement efforts in the city. No bystanders or other drivers were reported injured in either incident.