Man Kidnapped Disabled Victim, Bit Cop In South Jersey: Police

DEPTFORD, NJ — A man kidnapped and assaulted a disabled person, tried to rob them, and then bit an officer while getting arrested Friday in Deptford, police said.

Lahquae Stjuste, 32, of Camden, is facing several charges, including first-degree kidnapping.

Deptford police were dispatched to the 800 block of May Avenue after receiving a hang-up 911 call. The operator heard someone in the background requesting police before the call ended, authorities said.

Officers reached the home, but there was no answer at the door. A witness reported that the disabled man who lives there appeared to be assaulted and forced into the back of a black Mercedes sedan, police said.

Deptford police converged in the area, saw the car nearby and stopped the vehicle. The victim suffered severe bodily and facial injuries after being assaulted in his home and inside the car, police said. But he managed to escape.

Officers tried to arrest the suspect — later identified as Stjuste — but he resisted, police said. Stjuste tried to take two officers' guns and bit another officer, according to law enforcement.

The bitten officer had the injury treated at the hospital.

The victim told police that the suspect entered his home and demanded money. When the victim refused, he was assaulted in his home and forced into the vehicle, police said.

Stjuste tried to drive the victim to Camden to withdraw the money. But the victim said he had money in his house, so Stjuste returned there, police said.

Police did not say whether Stjuste knew the victim.

Stjuste was charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree attempting to disarm an officer, and third-degree counts of burglary, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

He was placed in the Salem County Correctional Facility, which provides jailing services for Gloucester County.

Attorney information for Stjuste wasn't immediately available in online court records.

Anyone who may have information on this incident can contact Deptford Police Det. Thomas Warrington at 856-845-6300 or twarrington@deptford-nj.org.