Crime & Safety

Man Charged With Assaulting Lakehurst Police Officer, 'Violently' Resisting Arrest

Samuel V. Legg admitted using crack cocaine and PCP before incident

A  area man is in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail, after he was charged with assaulting a Lakehurst police officer and "violently" resisting arrest, police said.

Samuel V. Legg, 29, with addresses in both Jackson and Seaside Heights, was under the influence of PCP and crack cocaine when the incident occurred at
5:15 a.m. on June 7, police said.

Officer Joseph DePasquale responded to the park area in Pinehurst Estates on a report of a disorderly person. Legg ran towards the police cruiser and threatened DePasquale with bodily harm. When DePasquale got out of the car, Legg tried to throw a punch at him, according to the police report. 

DePasquale wrestled with Legg, who then struck the officer twice in the neck. DePasquale and Patrolman Matthew Walaszek both used pepper spray on Legg, who continued to "violently" resist arrest, police said.

Legg was taken to police headquarters, where he was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and resisting arrest. He was also charged with being under the influence of crack cocaine and PCP, which he admitted to using before his arrest, according to the police report.

The case will be transferred to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Grand Jury Unit for court proceedings, police said.


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