Freehold Twp. Man Tries To Take Gun, Taser From Officers During Arrest, Police Say

LAKEHURST, NJ — A Freehold Township man was arrested Sunday following what authorities described as a "violent struggle" where he tried to take the firearm of one officer and the Taser of another as they tried to arrest him at the McDonald's on Route 70 in Lakehurst, police said.

Gregory A. Lopez, 35, is facing multiple charges including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer in the incident that happened early Sunday, Lakehurst Police Chief Matthew Kline said.

Lakehurst police were called to the McDonald's at 5:47 a.m. Sunday for what was described only as a disturbance inside the restaurant.

Callers to 911 also told police that a man was yelling and screaming at passing drivers, Kline said, and found Lopez inside. He became increasingly agitated and refused to comply with commands from Officers Jean Verrier and Daniel Hourigan, but the officers were initially able to de-escalate the situation and escorted Lopez outside, Kline said.

Outside, Lopez "again became highly irate and combative," Kline said. As the officers tried to arrest him, Lopez began fighting back and tried to grab one officer's firearm and then tried to grab the other officer's Taser, he said.

"Following a violent struggle, officers were able to secure Mr. Lopez in handcuffs and place him under arrest," Kline said.

One of the officers suffered minor injuries and was treated at Community Medical Center in Toms River and released, he said.

Lopez also was evaluated at a hospital and after he was released he was taken to the Ocean County Jail, where he was being held Monday pending a detention hearing.

Lopez was charged with three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, two counts of attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of the administraiton of law and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, Kline said.

Assisting at the scene were Officers Joseph Ciaurro and Gavin Riedinger, Kline said.

The Lakehurst Police Department reminds the public that suspicious activity can be reported anonymously. Tips may also be submitted through the department’s website at www.lakehurstpolice.org