Crime & Safety

Cops: Man Flees Crash Scene, Assaults Police

The following information was provided by the Washington Township Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

A Long Valley man was arrested for assaulting two police officers after fleeing the scene of a car crash on Schooley’s Mountain Road Thursday, Lt. Doug Compton said.

Samuel Tawiah, 20, of Long Valley, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on police officers, resisting arrest, criminal mischief and hindering apprehension.

Tawiah had left the scene of a three-car accident, which occurred in front of the Schooley’s Mountain General Store Thursday at about 5:30 p.m., Compton said.

Find out what's happening in Long Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Officer Peter Cecere located Tawiah walking north on Schooley’s Mountain Road, Compton said, and approached him to see if he was injured from the crash.

Tawiah then assaulted Cecere, Compton said, and ran away, attempting to enter a car that was stopped on Schooley’s Mountain Road. Tawiah was unsuccessful and broke into a home nearby, Compton said. Cecere and the police department’s K-9 Kobe pursued Tawiah into the home, Compton said.

Find out what's happening in Long Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sgt. Jeffrey Almer also pursued Tawiah, Compton said, and entered the home. Inside the residence, Tawiah continued to assault Cecere and assaulted Almer as well during a lengthy altercation throughout the residence, Compton said.

Tawiah was eventually subdued and arrested, Compton said.

The homeowner was in the house, Compton said, and remained upstairs during the altercation.

Tawiah was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Shikhar Mishra, 19, of Long Valley. Justin Abbate, 19, also of Long Valley, was also a passenger in the vehicle.

It was discovered at the accident scene that Mishra had disposed of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Compton said. The items were discovered by officers with the assistance of the Morris County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit.

Compton said it is unknown if Tawiah was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Cecere and Almer were treated at Hackettstown Medical Center and released. Cecere suffered a broken hand and Almer received injuries to his knee and thigh, Compton said.

Tawiah was transported to the medical center and treated for injuries to his legs and head, Compton said. Upon his release, he was transported to Morris County Correctional Facility and held on $50,000 bail with no 10-percent option.

Shikhar was charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence and obstruction. Abbate was charged with obstruction.

Cecere is expected to be out of work at least six weeks, Compton said, due to his broken left hand during the incident.

For questions about this post, please email jason.koestenblatt@patch.com


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.