Brick police were called to disperse a large party on Monday night. In the process, an officer was injured when a car attempted to flee.
According to police, Just after 9:30 p.m. on July 20th, Brick police started receiving calls about a large disorderly party on Atlantic Drive in the Baywood section of the township.
Police say that initial responding officers advised that there appeared to be in excess of 400 partygoers in attendance. As a result, Atlantic Dr and the surrounding streets were blocked with parked vehicles, with some of them occupied.
Aside from the loud music, there were reports of littering, public urination and trespassing. Drug use was also evident.
Police say that contact was made with the homeowner Michelle Cicchillo who reported that the party continued to grow until it was beyond her control. She attempted to have the guests leave but they were being defiant and refused to leave.
According to police, in order to safely disburse the large crowd officers from surrounding jurisdictions responded to assist. Traffic control was necessary on Drum Point Rd. and the surrounding side streets in order to assist the dispersion.
For several hours officers systematically scoured the neighborhood, engaging partygoers and instructing them to leave. Other than a few intoxicated and belligerent subjects at the party the majority of the attendees were compliant with police orders to disperse.
According to police reports, while clearing the area officers encountered subjects in a white Mercedes. Upon contact, the Mercedes sped off striking two officers, one of them a Street Crimes Unit (SCU) Detective and the other, Patrolman Joseph Riccio.
Police pursued that vehicle as it fled west on Drum Point Rd. and on to the Garden State Parkway. Pursuing units broke off due to the dangerous operation and excessive speeds.
The SCU Detective was uninjured, but Ptl. Riccio was transported to Brick Hospital to be treated for a knee injury.
The white Mercedes was located in Brielle within an hour of fleeing the scene and the driver, Darius Edwards, 24, of Brooklyn, NY was identified as the suspect who struck the officers with his vehicle.
Edwards was subsequently charged with two counts of Assault by Auto, Eluding, Obstruction and Possession of Marijuana, as well as motor vehicle offenses.
The homeowner, Cicchillo, was charged with Maintaining a Nuisance and violating the township noise ordinances against excessive loudness and mass gatherings.
During the dispersion, one male subject, Dakari Smith, 23, Brooklyn, NY refused to obey orders and was arrested for Obstruction. He was subsequently released on a summons.