BELLMAWR BOROUGH, N.J. — A New Jersey State Police K9 was stabbed and a trooper was struck with a flashlight by a suspect who led police on a pursuit in South Jersey Monday, authorities said.
Bellmawr Station troopers initially responded about 2:15 p.m. to the report of a shirtless, knife-wielding individual standing outside of his vehicle on Interstate 295 in the area of exit 28 in Bellmawr Borough, NJSP Trooper Charles Marchan said.
Upon arrived, troopers saw the suspect enter his vehicle and leave. When they attempted to stop the vehicle, the man failed to yield and tried to evade police driving northbound, Camden Daily Voice reported.
A short time later, the man transitioned onto State Highway 73 before entering the New Jersey Turnpike at Interchange 4, Marchan said.
Eventually, the suspect vehicle became disabled on the Turnpike at milepost 37.1, according to Marchan.
The suspect refused orders to exit his vehicle, so troopers deployed a State Police K9 for apprehension. As the police service dog approached the suspect, he stabbed it with a knife, Marchan said.
Troopers recovered the wounded K9 from the vehicle, which also brought the suspect out. As police took the man into custody, he struck one of the troopers with a flashlight.
The K9 was taken to an area animal hospital and was last listed in stable condition. The trooper also received medical treatment for an injury sustained while being struck by the flashlight.
There were no further details immediately available.
