LINDEN — On Oct. 12, at 12:40 a.m., Linden officer Joseph Rivera was on patrol when he observed an individual who he knew was wanted on an arrest warrant. He approached the man, later identified as Kason M. Taylor, 20, of Roselle on the 1100 block of Chandler Ave.
As he approached Taylor, he observed him allegedly placing a clear plastic bag into the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. When Rivera told Taylor to place his hands on a parked car, Taylor allegedly pushed off the vehicle and elbowed the officer in the chest. The two struggled for a moment before Taylor was able to get away and run across E. St. George Ave. into Roselle.
Rivera called for backup as he chased Taylor, who attempted to run into a house on the 1100 block of Warren St. in Roselle. As officers attempted to handcuff Taylor, he continued to resist by kicking his feet and flailing his arms, eventually falling off a set of steps to the ground, with officers on him. Rivera was then forced to use his pepper spray on Taylor to get him to submit to the arrest.
Taylor was allegedly found to be in possession of six zip lock bags and three vials of crack cocaine. Taylor was charged with possession and distribution of cocaine, distribution of CDS within a park zone, resisting arrest, and two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer.
Taylor also had two contempt warrants out of Roselle and Elizabeth. His total bail was set at $20,795 with a court date set for Oct. 21.
Rivera suffered scrapes and bruises to his knees and legs and Officer William Turbett III complained of pain to his left elbow when he and Taylor fell off the steps onto a concrete landing. Both officers were going to see their own physicians for treatment.