Police tracked down a suspected drug dealer who attempted to grab a Newark police officer’s gun and arrested him Thursday night, officials said.
Dashon Roper, 36, of Newark, was confronted around 9 a.m. Thursday by a police officer investigating complaints of drug sales on the 100 block of Schley Street, Newark police said.
While the officer questioned Roper, he handed the officer his driver’s license and dropped 10 envelopes of suspected heroine before assaulting the officer and trying to grab his gun, a department spokesman said.
The cop fought off Roper and kept his gun, though the magazine popped out during the struggle, officials said.
Roper fled on foot. He was arrested around 10:20 p.m. Thursday near Dewey Street and Nye Avenue, police said. He was charged with disarming a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, drug possession, resisting arrest and obstructing the administration of the law.
Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said the officer acted “responsibly, even heroically,” in quickly responding to the complaint and fending off the suspect.
“This could have had a much worse ending for the officer or the suspect. I also commend the detectives who peacefully apprehended this suspect, who obviously poses a threat to law enforcement, without use of force," Ambrose said.
Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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