On Tuesday evening, at about 7:49, Newark Police responded to the Acme, 100 Suburban Drive, for a report of a shoplifting in progress, according to Lt Andrew Rubin.
Rubin said upon arrival, an officer contacted a male suspect in the rear of the store. While speaking with the suspect, the suspect attempted to walk away from the officer. When the officer attempted to detain the suspect, the suspect began to assault the officer by repeatedly striking him in the head said Rubin.
During the course of a struggle to detain the suspect, the suspect attempted to remove the officer’s firearm from its holster. Additional Newark Police Officers responded to the scene and assisted in taking the suspect into custody.
The officer, an 8-year veteran, was transported to an area hospital by ambulance for treatment of serious physical injuries suffered during the struggle. He was treated and later released from the hospital.
The suspect was identified as Rodney Duffy, 36, of Newark.
Duffy was transported to Newark Police headquarters where he was charged with:
- Assault First Degree Against a Law Enforcement Officer
- Robbery First Degree
- Attempting to Remove a Firearm from the Possession of a Law Enforcement Officer
- Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence
Duffy appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 by video and was ordered to be held in default of $142,000 cash bail. Duffy was turned over to the custody of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.