From the Press of Atlantic City, 12/31/2009-Rob Spahr, Staff Writer
A Mullica Township police officer received a helping hand - several, in fact - from good Samaritans during a recent drug arrest.
Detective Brian Zeck was on patrol during the Dec. 19 snowstorm when he noticed a car parked on the side of the road. Zeck said he pulled behind the car, expecting it to be a disabled vehicle.
"I guess the occupants didn't realize I was behind them," Zeck said. "Because while I was sitting there, I witnessed a drug trans-action."
Zeck said that as he approached the vehicle, one of the occupants, Alberto Rodriquez, of Mullica Township, struck him with a car door and tried to flee.
"As he was running through the snow, I kind of horse-collared him and we spent the next three minutes or so basically fist-fighting on the ground," the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Zeck said of his attempt to get Rodriguez - reportedly 6-foot-3, 220-pounds - into custody.
Two women in a passing car saw the men fighting and called 911, Zeck said.
Zeck said he was able to get one of Rodriguez's hands cuffed, but Rodriguez resisted getting his second hand cuffed by keeping it beneath him.
At that time, three passers-by, including Township Committeeman Bernard Graebener, stopped and physically helped Zeck get Rodriguez into custody. "It's a great thing that people care enough to help out a police officer when they see that they are in need of assistance," said Zeck, adding the identities of the other two men were un-known.
Zeck said that he was not injured in the incident but that Rodriquez suffered face lacerations. The second occupant of the car - Sean Harris, of Pleasantville - also fled, Zeck said, but police eventually were able to locate him by tracking the footprints he left in the snow.
Rodriquez was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. Harris' charges were not immediately available.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
MULLICA DETECTIVE GETS AN ASSIST FROM GOOD SAMARITANS
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4 comments:
Go Brian!!!
Kudos to Detective Brian Zeck! and also to Bernard Grabener for getting involved!
In the New Year hopefully Mullica Township officials will recognize both men, Detective Brian Zeck for his commendable carrying out his duties - again - and for Mr. Grabener for getting involved as a civilian. This Press article brings to light that even in our small community that our own local law enforcement officers can face dangerous situations.
Another example of his law enforcement professionalism, just over the summer Dect. Zeck reponded to apprehending a dangerous sword-yielding man on a property in the Sweetwater area. I believe some years ago Detective Brian Zeck was involved in a heroic incident of which escapes me right now, but I'm sure someone out there will probably remember.
Go Bernie!
Brian saved a young man's life by performing cpr at the scene of an accident. I am sure there are a dozen more examples just like these, that Brian and his co-workers perform on a regular basis. Good job once again Brian!
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