Mercer Cop Gets Dragged By Car While Trying To Stop Fleeing Shoplifter: PD

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – A Hamilton Police Officer was dragged by a car when he tried to stop a shoplifter from fleeing, the police department said.

On Nov. 7, around 3:35 p.m., officers Tim Young, Joshua Doan and Anthony Lucidi responded to a shoplifting in progress at the Home Depot on Rt. 130 in Hamilton Township.

When they arrived at the scene, Young and Doan identified the vehicle and occupants described to dispatch and approached the vehicle in the parking lot.

Young ordered the driver, Daray L. Wesby, out of the vehicle. When Daray exited, the front-seat passenger, Eric D. Murphy, got into the driver's seat and attempted to drive away, police said.

Young immediately tried to stop Murphy by grabbing him. Murphy put the car into drive and dragged Young, going backward and forward with the vehicle numerous times until the officer was able to gain control of Murphy and place him in custody, police said.

Once the vehicle was stopped, the rear passenger, Michael C. Brown, exited and ran on foot. He was chased down and taken into custody by Officer Doan. During this altercation, the original driver of the vehicle, Wesby, fled the area on foot towards Rt. 130, police said.

Brown was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and shoplifting. He was placed on a warrant and transported to the Mercer County Corrections Center.

Murphy was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and shoplifting. He was placed on a warrant and transported to the Mercer County Corrections Center.

Wesby was placed on a summons for obstruction.

While this was happening, some of the merchandize from the shoplifting were dropped in the parking lot and picked up by Stephanie L. Diaz, who treid to return the items for a refund.

She was turned away after she could not produce a receipt, and she left Home Depot with the merchadize. She was charged with shoplifting and placed on a summons, police said.