On Memorial Day, at approximately 11:44 p.m., Roselle Park Police Department (RPPD) Sergeant Harold Breuninger responded to Camden Street on a report of a dispute between a male and female. Upon arriving, Sgt. Breuninger made contact with a male identified as Anthony C. Williams, age 22 from Elizabeth. The police officer reportedly instructed Mr. Williams to step back and take his hands out of his pockets and the sergeant attempted to approach a female who was sitting in the driveway. Mr. Wiliams allegedly stepped in front of Sgt. Breuninger and assaulted the officer when an arrest was attempted then ran on foot southbound.
Sgt. Breuninger pursued the male several feet away when Mr. Williams again reportedly assaulted the police officer. After a brief struggle, Sgt. Breuninger was able to subdue Mr. Williams by holding him to the ground. The suspect began to fight and try to escape the officer. This resulted in a neighbor assisting the officer in controlling the male until backup officers arrived on scene. Once other officers arrived, Mr. Williams was placed under arrest and charged with Aggravated Assault On Police in the 3rd Degree, Resisting Arrest (a 4th-degree offense), and Obstruction.
The suspect was transported to police headquarters where he was placed into a holding cell. During this time, Mr. Williams allegedly punched out the keypad of the jail cell telephone. He was later charged with criminal mischief and subsequently released on a summons with a Superior Court First appearance date of June 12th.