Man Used Englewood Kids As Human Shields During Standoff: Police

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — A man used his kids as human shields during a brief, but tense, standoff with police after a hit-and-run crash two weeks ago, authorities said.

Rameesh Dula, 34, formerly of Englewood, faces a variety of charges after a standoff that began when he got into a domestic dispute with a woman, said Chief Lawrence Suffern. Dula allegedly assaulted the woman, stole her vehicle, and left the West Englewood Avenue home, only to cause a hit-and-run and return to the house later, Suffern said.

The brief incident happened on Jan. 25 when Dula was going eastbound on West Englewood Avenue and hit a delivery truck at William Street, the chief said. He got out of the vehicle and ran back to the home where his two young children and the woman were, Suffern said.

Police were then called to the home where they found Dula struggling with the woman in front of his two young kids, Suffern said. An officer told Dula to stop and surrender, but instead he grabbed one of his kids and used them as a human shield, the chief said.

When other family members got involved, Dula dropped the child and charged at the officer, who stopped and a brief standoff occurred between Dula and the officer, Suffern said.

Dula then tried to leave the home with the other child, a baby, but Dula struggled with the officer and he dropped the child, Suffern said.

Dula had to be tased after another officer arrived. He was arrested and taken to a local hospital for treatment. The woman was also taken to the hospital, Suffern said. The children were not injured. The entire incident lasted about five minutes, Dula said.

Dula was charged with two counts of child endangerment, aggravated assault of a police officer, resisting arrest, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, domestic violence assault, driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident with serious injuries, and driving with a suspended license. He subsequently taken to the Bergen County Jail.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photos: Rameesh Dula, 34, and the car he crashed (Englewood Police Department)