Lakewood Man Indicted on Cop Assault Charges

A Lakewood man faces charges accusing him of assaulting a officer.

Bryce D. Percell, 23, was indicted last week by an Ocean County grand jury on aggravated assault and resisting arrest charges.

Authorities claim Percell assaulted Officer Iain James on Jan. 24 and tried to avoid being arrested. He was released on $25,000 bail Jan. 27.

Police said that James attempted to arrest Percell, the suspect resisted by shoving the officer and taking a closed-fist swing at him which landed on James' shoulder as he took an evasive step backwards.

James then attempted to subdue Percell with pepper spray, which Sgt. Ronald Heinzman said had no effect. Heinzman said that Percell, who police described at the time as "enraged," removed his jacket and allegedly told the officer that "I've been waiting for this."

Before officer Daniel Hourigan arrived to grab Percell from behind, James used his baton on Percell before both officers subdued the man.

Grand juries also indicted:

• John L. Williams, 46, of Toms River on eluding and weapons charges.

Williams, a convicted burglar, was arrested Jan. 6 in Manchester and accused of fleeing from Patrolman Adam Guker after the officer signaled for Williams to pull over.

When arrested, Williams allegedly had a razor blade in his possession. He also is barred from having such a weapon due to his burglary conviction in Monmouth County. 

He was charged with eluding, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon by a convicted person. He was initially held on $20,000 bail but posted Feb. 8.

• Mark R. Sloan, 35, of Whiting on burglary, theft and receiving stolen property charges.

Sloan is accused of breaking into a Northampton Boulevard home between Aug. 12 and 19 and stealing more than $500 in jewelry and coins that he then sold in the township.

He remains jailed in the Ocean County Jail on $50,000 bail, no 10 percent option.

• Amanda L. Tranchita, 34, of Whiting on a burglary charge.

Tranchita was arrested Dec. 3 and accused of breaking into a Dupont Avenue address, the indictment states. She remains jailed on $10,000 bail, no 10 percent option.