Three police officers and a woman are recovering from their injuries after a wild bar fight in Galloway Township. It happened Friday at 1:34 a.m. at JD’s Pub Grill on 45 S. New York Road in the Smithville section of the town.
Investigators say an officer was on patrol in the area when he observed a large crowd at the bar. Police then say he spotted DiAndre Brown, 22, of Sicklerville, being removed from the bar for allegedly causing a disturbance inside. After he was removed, police say Brown began causing a disturbance outside as well. Another Galloway police officer as well as Richard Stockton College police officers responded to the scene.
Police say Brown head-butted an officer who was trying to arrest him. Brown was then taken into custody after a scuffle with police, according to investigators. He is charged with aggravated assault on police, resisting arrest and other related offenses. His bail is set at $25,000. Brown was also a member of the Stockton College basketball team, according to the school website.
After Brown was taken into custody, police say several patrons exited JD’s and approached police officers as they tried to disperse the crowd. Devon Gibson, 21, of Newark, NJ and Ibn Moye, 22, of Beachwood, NJ allegedly approached police after being told to disperse. Investigators say officers attempted to place them in custody when they fled on foot. As he fled, Gibson pushed a 22-year-old woman out of the way, according to police. Police say the woman was knocked unconscious and suffered a laceration on her head. She was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.
Police also say an officer ran after Gibson and suffered a knee and ankle injury during the attempted arrest. He was also taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. Both Gibson and Moye were eventually apprehended and taken into custody. Gibson was charged with failure to disperse, aggravated assault and other related offenses. His bail was set at $25,000. Moye was charged with failure to disperse, resisting arrest, and other related offenses. His bail was set at $10,000. Moye is also a member of the Stockton basketball team, according to the school website.
Police say more officers from outside towns were called to respond to help with the disorderly crowd. The crowd taunted police and refused to disperse, according to investigators.
Police arrested Chauncey Hunter, 27, of Atlantic City, Justin Wilson, 23, of Willingboro, New Jersey and Amir Hopkins, 21, of Camden. All three men are charged with failure to disperse and obstruction of justice.
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The chaos did not end there, according to police. Investigators say the same officer who was head-butted was nearly struck in the head by an oncoming vehicle crossing the center line as he was transporting one of the suspects to the police station. The officer managed to avoid the collision and stop the vehicle. The driver, Michael Gallagher of Galloway, was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and other related offenses. The officer was then taken to the hospital and treated for a head injury.
Police say a third officer was treated at the hospital for a shoulder injury.
NBC10 contacted Stockton College in regards to the arrest of Moye and Brown. A spokesman told us the school is currently cooperating with the Galloway Township Police in the investigation.
