Two Brick Officers Assaulted While Apprehending Hit-and-Run Suspect

Two Brick Police officers were assaulted while investigating a hit and run accident on Hooper Avenue Thursday night, police said.

Patrolman Sean Flynn spotted a silver Acura that fit the description of a vehicle that fled the scene of an accident outside the Outback Restaurant at approximately 6:19 p.m., according to Capt. John Rein. Flynn spotted the vehicle near the intersection of Riva Blvd and Molly Lane, near the Pavilion adult community. As he approached the car, a man standing behind it ­– later identified Brick resident Sergio Reyes-Carvajal, 34, of Burrsville Road – became agitated and aggressive before lunging at Flynn and striking him in the chest, Rein said.

Eventually, Rein said, Flynn was able to knock Reyes-Carvajal to the ground, at which point Ptl. Brian Farnkopf attempted to handcuff him. Farnkopf was struck once in the face by Reyes-Carvajal during the struggle, said Rein.

Reyes-Carvajal was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, four counts of aggravated assault due to throwing or spitting bodily fluids on another person, one count of obstruction, one count of resisting arrest and one count of driving while intoxicated.

Brick Municipal Court Judge Robert LePore set Reyes-Carvajal’s bail at $100,000 with no 10 percent option. Reyes-Carvajal was remanded to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of bail.

The two officers sustained only minor injuries during the struggle with Reyes-Carvajal, Rein said, and medical attention was not required.