Naked Man Found Sleeping in Car Fought Officers, Police Say

A man who was sleeping naked in another person's car assaulted officers after being woken up Sunday morning, Toms River Police said.

Officers went to Coolidge Avenue at about 8 a.m. Sunday after a resident called and reported a naked man sleeping in a car belonging to the caller, said Toms River Police Capt. Steven R. Henry.

Officers Richard Karkovice and Samantha Sutter were first at the scene and found a man later identified as township resident Michael Harris, 32, sleeping naked in the passenger seat of the car, Henry said.

"Harris eventually awoke and upon seeing the officers, told the officers to leave him alone," said Henry.

Karkovice advised Harris that the car was not his and ordered him to get out, but Harris then attacked Karkovice, "repeatedly striking and kicking him," said Henry. 

Harris was eventually removed from the car by both officers and quickly subdued, but he continued to resist after being handcuffed by thrashing about and attempting to kick the officer, said Henry. Harris tried to kick out a cruiser's back windows after being moved to the police car, he added.

Harris was taken to police headquarters where he was charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Karkovice received minor injuries to his arms and hands during the incident and was treated and released at Community Medical Center, police said.

Harris was lodged in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.