PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A 44-year-old man allegedly slammed a side-by-side off-road vehicle into a police cruiser multiple times Saturday night, injuring both a patrol officer and his K9 partner before fleeing into a wooded area, officials said.
The incident began around 8:10 p.m. in the area of 100 Lakehurst Road when K9 Patrolman J. Peters attempted a motor vehicle stop on Bobby Boyle of Pemberton Township. Instead of complying, Boyle pulled into a nearby parking lot and reversed the SxS vehicle repeatedly into Peters’ occupied patrol vehicle, which also contained K9 Pepper.
The SxS then struck an occupied civilian vehicle in the lot before speeding east on Clubhouse Road. Peters gave chase, eventually locating the SxS abandoned on Mockingbird Lane. Boyle had fled on foot into the nearby woods.
Peters detained the SxS passenger at the scene, but the individual was later released without charges. A K9 track was initiated, and Boyle was eventually located on Vine Street by Patrolman D. Gilbert and taken into custody.
Boyle was charged with assault on law enforcement—covering both the officer and K9 Pepper—as well as eluding, obstructing the administration of law, criminal mischief, hindering apprehension, and animal cruelty. He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Boyle is accused of using the ATV as a weapon during the attempted escape, damaging property and injuring both human and canine law enforcement personnel.
