Christopher Dopico, 20, of West New York, was apprehended Wednesday night in New Milford in Bergen County, after North Bergen police received a tip as to Dopico's whereabouts.
North Bergen Detective Sgt. Chris Brignola said, "The New Milford police arrested him and we sent our officers up there to go get him and bring him back."
Dopico then appeared in front of North Bergen Municipal Judge Nino Falcone, who charged him aggravated assault against a police officer and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, in this instance, a vehicle. Bail was set at $25,000 with no chance of a 10 percent cash option.
Walking to his car
According to North Bergen Police Chief William Galvin, the incident began Aug. 18 at 11:30 p.m., when off-duty Union City Police Officer Ruben Rodriguez was walking to his car on Grand Avenue and Fifth Street in North Bergen.
"The officer said that the suspect [allegedly] made a U-turn in the middle of the street, then [allegedly] headed directly towards him with the car," Galvin said.
Galvin said that the two men were both apparently at a barbecue party nearby in Jersey City, not far from where Rodriguez parked his car.
The party had been broken up by the hosts just a few minutes before, after Dopico apparently became embroiled in a heated altercation. However, it was not known if the altercation involved both Rodriguez and Dopico. According to the police reports, the impact of the collision sent Rodriguez into the windshield of Dopico's silver Honda and Rodriguez was left with injuries to his foot, his leg, and his head.
Dopico then allegedly sped off, allegedly leaving the injured officer in the street unattended.
After North Bergen police responded, Rodriguez was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center and later released after receiving treatment.
Identified him
In his statement to investigators from the Union City and North Bergen police departments, Rodriguez positively identified Dopico as being the one who allegedly ran him over.
"After he left the party, the officer saw the car coming at him, but he knew who was driving the car," Galvin said.
Brignola said, "According to the victim, the suspect definitely knew he was a police officer, so he showed no respect for the law."
Galvin credited the general public for making the call to the police with Dopico's whereabouts. Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at either OGSMAR@aol.com or jhague@hudsonreporter.com
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