Hackettstown Police Officer Hospitalized After Arrest Resist: Police

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ - A Hackettstown police officer was hospitalized after being kicked by a man who was resisting arrest, authorities said.

Luis Angel Otero, 49, of Hackettstown, was charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement, aggravated assault, two counts of resisting arrest, terroristic threats, obstructing the administration of law, and two counts of disorderly conduct during a Dec. 17 incident, Hackettstown police said.

At around 2:33 a.m., Hackettstown police responded to the 300 block of Washington Street for a report of male acting disorderly. At the scene, Otero “became agitated and began to yell and curse at the officers while in the front yard of a residence,” police said.

Otero then refused to place his hands behind his back when he was told he was under arrest and, after a “brief struggle,” refused to enter a marked patrol car while handcuffed.

During the resistance, Otero kicked a Hackettstown officer, who was later treated for his injuries at Hackettstown Medical Center. He has since been released, police said.

Otero was transported to Hackettstown Medical Center where he “continued to yell, curse and also threatened another police officer,” police added.

Otero was lodged in the Warren County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance.