August 16, 2021

Bellmawr Borough, NJ (CAMDEN) – A New Jersey State Trooper and a State Police K-9 were injured while attempting to arrest a knife-wielding man following a pursuit earlier today.

Based on the preliminary investigation, at approximately 2:13 p.m., troopers from Bellmawr Station responded to the report of a shirtless, knife-wielding man standing outside of his vehicle on Interstate 295 in the area of exit 28 in Bellmawr Borough.

When troopers arrived, the man entered his vehicle and drove away. When troopers attempted to stop the vehicle with lights and sirens, the suspect continued to flee, traveling northbound on Interstate 295. A short time later, the driver exited Interstate 295 at exit 36A onto State Highway 73 before entering the New Jersey Turnpike at Interchange 4.

Troopers continued to pursue the suspect as he traveled northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike until the suspect vehicle was disabled at milepost 37.1. Troopers ordered the driver to exit the vehicle, but he refused, so a State Police K-9 was utilized to assist troopers entering the vehicle to apprehend the suspect. As they attempted to gain control of the suspect, he stabbed the K-9 with a knife. At this time, the troopers removed the injured K-9 from the vehicle and the suspect exited the vehicle. As the troopers arrested the suspect, the man struck a trooper with a flashlight.

The K-9 was taken to an area animal hospital and was last listed in stable condition. The trooper sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital.

The incident remains under investigation

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