Two Township Cops Injured After Traffic Stop, Drug and Weapon Arrest Made

Two Gloucester Township police officers were injured Friday during a traffic stop that led to the arrest of two men on assault, drug and weapon charges.

Officers James Clark and Paul Bertini suffered minor injuries. They were treated and released from Virtua Voorhees Hospital. The incident was reported Sunday.

The altercation occurred after Ahmad Roper, a passenger in a car pulled over for a traffic stop, jumped out of the vehicle and fled. The car was stopped on the Black Horse Pike at 10:42 a.m. Friday. Roper, 18, of the 100 block of Terrace Court, Willingboro, was caught after a short foot chase.

Roper then attempted to get away again and struck the officers while they were trying to contain him, according to police. When he was finally subdued, officers discovered he was carrying heroin, police said.

The driver, Christopher Spencer Jr., 18, of the 200 Block of West Adams St., Paulsboro, remained in the car. Police found a "large quantity" of cocaine in the vehicle and a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, they said.

Roper was charged with aggravated assault and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Spencer was drug and weapons charges. Both were held at Camden County jail on bail.