A man was arrested after he allegedly stole a person’s cellphone outside a motel in Galloway Township, New Jersey and then injured a responding officer.
James Hastings Jr., 23, of Lodi, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with robbery, resisting arrest and other related offenses.
On Saturday around 4 a.m. police received a 911 call from the Red Carpet Motel on the 200 block of East White Horse Pike in Galloway Township reporting a strong arm robbery in the parking lot. When police arrived they were met by a man who claimed Hastings, who was staying at the motel, had forcibly stolen his cellphone, investigators said. Police say the victim gave them a description of Hastings as well as the room where he was staying.
Police found Hastings who allegedly still had the victim’s phone. Investigators say Hastings refused to return it and didn’t comply when police told him he was under arrest. Hastings allegedly physically resisted when police tried to arrest him and was finally placed in custody.
One officer suffered minor injuries during the incident and was taken to the Atlanticare Regional Medical Center Mainland Division for treatment.
Hastings was lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $75,000 bail. Police say they returned the stolen phone to the victim.
