A Newark man destroyed the East Orange DMV while also attacking the police officers working at the time. Israel Villegas-Suarez a 33 year old man became angry after traveling to the DMV and not getting what he wanted, so he attacked two police officers, and then started to destroy the inside of the DMV. The incident occurred shortly after they closed early, and when he wasn t able to take care of his business he punched a police officer and attempted to gouge another s eyeball out. The two Essex county sheriff s officers were outside the building on South 18th Street. Israel Villegas-Suarez wasn t having any of the sheriffs attempting to calm him down, and that s how things escalated dramatically. Villegas-Suarez would apparently have none of it as he pushed the officers away and assumed a combative fighting stance. Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said. Five other officers showed up and subdued him, he was finally arrested and brought to the hospital for a mental evaluation, and finally jail. He has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault on police, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b which is aggravated assault. It involves the attempt or completion of causing serious bodily injury to another. It is most commonly a crime of the 3rd degree, unless the defendant attempts to elude the police and at that point it is a crime of the 2nd degree. In this case it was a crime of the 3rd degree for the assault of a Sheriffs Officer. A crime of the 3rd degree if found guilty is punishable by 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2a which is resisting arrest. It involves the use or threatened use of force against a law enforcement official to delay of them completing an effective arrest. It is a crime of the 3rd degree, and if found guilty a person is looking at 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 which is disorderly conduct. It involves improper behavior and being a nuisance to the public, as well as fighting, yelling, threatening, or creating a dangerous situation. It is punisable by up to 3 months in the county jail.
More information on this case can be found here
