Aggravated Assault On An Officer, DWI, Domestic Violence Reported In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Arrests for domestic violence, aggravated assault on a police officer, driving while intoxicated, and more were reported in Somerville in June.

The Somerville Police Department announced the following arrests for June:

On June 1, at 2:03 p.m.: Christopher Bellamy, 51, of Somerville, was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest following police response for the report of a dispute on East Main Street. Through further investigation, contact was made with Bellamy on scene and he was ultimately developed as the suspect for this incident. Bellamy was criminally charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and was released pending a future court date.

On June 1, 2025 at 3:39 p.m.: Ashton Charles, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, was arrested for aggravated assault on a police officer while eluding police, and criminal mischief following an attempted traffic stop/motor vehicle pursuit on Route 22 East. A vehicle being operated by Charles was actively fleeing from/eluding numerous police agencies during a statewide/extensive vehicle pursuit spanning throughout multiple New Jersey counties. Upon entering Somerville, an attempted traffic stop was conducted in efforts to stop Charles' vehicle however Charles struck numerous police vehicles in efforts to avoid apprehension and subsequently fled from police on foot after ultimately crashing/disabling his vehicle into a Somerville Police unit. After a brief foot pursuit, Charles was successfully apprehended and placed under arrest. A Somerville Police Officer sustained minor injuries during this incident and was medically examined/treated at a nearby hospital following Charles' arrest. Charles was criminally charged with aggravated assault on a police officer while eluding police, criminal mischief and numerous traffic-related offenses. Charles was ultimately lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing after custody was transferred to the New Jersey State Police. Charles also faces numerous criminal charges from multiple police agencies statewide stemming from this incident.

On June 2, at 2:31 a.m.: Eladia Mercedes, 38, of Bound Brook, was arrested for narcotics-related offenses following police response for the report of an individual at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital possessing contraband. Through further investigation, contact was made with Mercedes on scene, and she was ultimately developed as the suspect for this incident. Mercedes was criminally charged with possession of a controlled substances/narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia. Mercedes was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On June 4 at 11:49 p.m.: A 29-year-old male resident of Millington was arrested for assault following police response for the report of a domestic violence incident. The male was criminally charged and lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On June 6 at 6:12 p.m.: A 22-year-old male resident of Somerville was arrested for aggravated assault, aggravated assault with bodily injury (domestic violence victim), resisting arrest, and obstructing law enforcement following police response for the report of a domestic violence incident. After locating the male suspect upon responding officers' arrival at the scene, the male suspect tried to flee from police on foot and subsequently physically resisted arrest once responding officer made contact/subsequently arrested the male. The male was criminally charged with the aforementioned charges and lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On June 7 at 3:17 p.m.: Jarret Klosinki, 23, of Burlington, was arrested for obstructing law enforcement, and an outstanding warrant for his arrest following a pedestrian traffic stop for a traffic violation on Mountain Avenue. After making contact with Klosinki, he obstructed law enforcement by refusing to identify himself to police during the traffic stop. Upon discovering Klosinski's true identity, he was discovered to an active warrant for his arrest out of Burlington. Klosinski was criminally charged with obstructing law enforcement and a traffic-related offense. Klosinski was processed and ultimately released on his own recognizance pending future court dates with the respective agencies' courts.

On June 8 at 12:34 a.m.: Patrick Bartnett, 33, of Washington, was arrested for driving while intoxicated/impaired in addition to an active warrant for his arrest following a motor vehicle stop on South Davenport Street. While on patrol, an officer saw a vehicle leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash after hitting a parked vehicle within a business parking lot. After conducting a motor vehicle stop with the striking vehicle, Bartnett was found to be the operator of the vehicle and was suspected to be intoxicated/impaired. Bartnett was subsequently arrested for DWI and an active warrant for his arrest out of Hopatcong. Bartnett was processed and released pending future court dates with the respective agencies' courts.

On June 9 at 3:05 p.m.: A 32-year-old male resident of Somerville was arrested for assault following police response for the report of a domestic violence incident. The male was criminally charged and lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On June 9 at 9:47 p.m.: Emmanuel Obuobi, 60, of New Brunswick, was arrested for hindering apprehension following a motor vehicle stop for traffic violations on Rehill Avenue. After making contact with Obuobi, he provided a false identity to the police. Upon discovering Obuobi's true identity, he was confirmed to have provided false information to the police. Obuobi was criminally charged with hindering apprehension in addition to traffic-related offenses and was released pending a future court date.

On June 13 at 4:09 a.m.: Aldousian Pacunayen, 28, of Raritan, was arrested for possessing a stolen motor vehicle, obstructing law enforcement and resisting arrest following a pedestrian stop/vehicle check within the parking lot of a business on North Gaston Avenue. While on patrol, an officer saw a motor vehicle and two occupants parked within a business parking lot of a closed business. After making contact with the subjects and the vehicle, this vehicle was discovered to have been stolen out of Edison and Pacunayen was ultimately developed as the suspect for this incident. The additional occupant on scene was discovered to have been entered nationally as a missing person out of Knox County (Maine). While trying to arrest Pacunayen, he obstructed law enforcement during the investigation and physically resisted arrest. Pacunayen was criminally charged with possessing a stolen motor vehicle, obstructing law enforcement, and resisting arrest. Pacunayen was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. The missing person (adult) was ultimately released from the scene after an investigation into his missing status was satisfied/concluded with the listing police agency.

On June 15 at 12:03 p.m.: Elise Esposito, 37, of Raritan was arrested for driving while intoxicated/impaired after police responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash. Through further investigation, contact was made with Esposito on scene, who was developed as the suspect. Esposito was subsequently charged with DWI/related traffic offenses and released pending a future court date.

On June 16 at 10:34 p.m.: Vince Veglatte, 32, of Bridgewater, was criminally charged with eluding/fleeing from police, hindering apprehension, and numerous related traffic offenses following a motor vehicle stop which occurred on Route 22 East in Somerville. A patrol officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle for traffic violations, which was later determined to be operated by Veglatte. Upon initially stopping, contact was made with the driver, who provided a false identity to police. Upon discovering the driver's true identity (Vince Veglatte), he was discovered to have an active warrant for his arrest (with nationwide extradition) from the New Jersey Intensive Supervision Division. While trying to advise Veglatte of the active warrant and take him into custody, the vehicle ultimately fled recklessly from the scene of the motor vehicle stop at a high rate of speed. Due to positively identifying Veglatte as the driver during this incident, he was subsequently criminally charged with eluding/fleeing from police, hindering apprehension, in addition to numerous related traffic offenses and a warrant for his arrest was issued. On June 30, Veglatte was arrested by the Bridgewater Township Police Department during an unrelated incident and taken into custody on the active Somerville warrant in addition to the NJ Intensive Supervision Unit warrant. Veglatte was ultimately lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On June 17 at 12:40 a.m.: Rebecca Nelson, 32, of Newton, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for her arrest following police response to the report of a motor vehicle theft. While investigating the matter, contact was made with Nelson (reporting party) on scene and she was discovered to have an active warrant from the Sussex County Sherriff's Office. Nelson was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending transport to the Warren County Jail for detention hearing.

On June 17 at 4:41 p.m.: Razir Nevius, 24, of Middlesex, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for his arrest. After being arrested by the Middlesex Police Department during an unrelated incident, Nevius was discovered to have an active warrant for his arrest out of Somerville. Nevius was subsequently arrested and lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On June 21 at 12:53 a.m.: A 34-year-old male resident of Somerville was arrested for assault following police response for the report of a domestic violence incident. The male was criminally charged and lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On June 25 at 1:52 p.m.: Adam Marshall, 48, of Raritan, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for his arrest. After being arrested by the Raritan Police Department during an unrelated incident, Marshall was discovered to have an active warrant for his arrest out of Somerville. Marshall was subsequently released on his own recognizance pending a future court date after posting bail.

On June 26 at 3:21 a.m.: Donald Bellott, 68, of Bridgewater, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for his arrest following a pedestrian stop/welfare check for a borough ordinance violation at the Somerville Train Station. Bellott was found sleeping on top of a bench within the train station platform, and upon making contact, he was discovered to have an active warrant for his arrest out of Bridgewater. Bellott received a citation for a borough ordinance violation was ultimately turned over to the Bridgewater Police Department and lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On June 27 at 3:34 a.m.: Brittney Smith, 39, of Plainfield was arrested for narcotics related offenses and multiple outstanding arrest warrants following a pedestrian stop/welfare check for a borough ordinance violation at a NJ Transit bus stop vestibule on Union Avenue. Smith was found sleeping on a bench within the bus stop vestibule, and upon making contact she was discovered to have five active warrants for her arrest out of the Middlesex County Sherriff's Office, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, and Cranford. Additionally, Smith was discovered to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Smith was criminally charged and ultimately lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending transport to the Middlesex County Jail for a detention hearing.

On June 27, at 6:16 p.m.: Jesse Panyko, 41, of Manville, was arrested for disorderly conduct, trespassing and resisting arrest following police response for the report of trespassing at a business on South Davenport Street. Through further investigation, contact was made with Panyko on scene and he was identified as the suspect after being determined to have been previously trespassed (banned with notice) from the business. On scene, Panyko began behaving in an irate/belligerent manner, which caused numerous bystanders to become visibly alarmed. While trying to arrest Panyko, he physically resisted being placed under arrest. Panyko was criminally charged with trespassing (Against Notice), disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and was released pending a future court date.

On June 27 at 6:53 p.m.: Ralph Fattoruso, 51, of Somerville, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant following a pedestrian traffic stop on East Main Street. After making contact with Fattoruso, he was discovered to have an active warrant for his arrest out of Raritan. Fattoruso was processed and ultimately turned over to the Raritan Police Department and lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.