Police conducting a routine traffic stop in Florence, New Jersey ultimately filed a multitude of charges against a man from out-of-state, including aggravated assault, eluding, resisting arrest, obstruction, and drug-related offenses, after he allegedly attempted to flee from police, injuring an officer in the process.
According to Chief John Bunce of the Florence Police Department, 19-year-old Delaware resident Randy Mase was stopped by Florence Police Sergeant Brian Young at approximately 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, May 31st, for illegally crossing a highway median. When the officer determined that there may be drugs in the vehicle, he instructed Mase to remove the keys from the ignition, at which time Mase accelerated, attempting to flee the scene.
Sergeant Young took hold of the open car door and was dragged nearly a quarter of a mile while halfway inside the vehicle. Fortunately, he was able to turn off the ignition, stop the car, and arrest Mase before sustaining any further injuries. As a result of the incident, Mase is now facing charges for aggravated assault on a police officer, eluding, resisting arrest, obstruction, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also received a number of summonses for motor vehicle violations, including: speeding, reckless driving, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.
Mase, who was being held at the Burlington County Jail with his bail set at $150,000, could be subject to severe penalties if he is ultimately convicted, as he has been charged with multiple felony-level offenses. For example, eluding charges, governed under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2, are considered second degree offenses if in the course of committing the offense, the actor creates a risk of death or injury to another person. Second degree offenses are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Delaware man tries to flee traffic stop with Florence police officer hanging out of car
