New Jersey

Car Strikes, Drags Officer in Strip Mall Parking Lot: Police

Authorities say a police officer was struck by a car and then briefly dragged in a strip mall parking lot in New Jersey.

The incident occurred shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday in Toms River.

Authorities say the officer had responded to a Division of Motor Vehicles office after a man allegedly tried to use false identification. They say the officer was talking with the man outside the office when the man ran to his car and got in the vehicle.

The man then drove in reverse, dragging the officer for about 25 yards. The man then hit two parked cars before driving away from the mall.

Giomar Diaz, 33, whose last listed address was in Bronx New York, is being held on $500,000 bail. He is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Diaz, investigators say, appears to be in the United States illegally and currently is being held on an additional no bail detainer from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division; I.C.E.

Charges have also been filed against Alvin A. Hernandez Almanzar, 28, of Camden, New Jersey. He has been charged with hindering the apprehension of Diaz, revoked driving and having an expired driver’s license. According to investigators, these charges are as a result of him picking Diaz up after the vehicle used to assault the officer was abandoned.

A female seen with Diaz is wanted for questioning.

The officer has been released from the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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