Crime & Safety

Fight at Matawan Regional High School Leads to Arrest of Five Students

Multiple students resisted arrest during the October incident, police say

A fight that started between two 15-year-old boys at Matawan Regional High School resulted in the arrest of five students and multiple charges, including resisting arrest and aggravated assault on a police officer, according to a police account of the Oct. 20 incident.

The details were disclosed by Aberdeen Township Police Chief John Powers after Patch inquired into rumors of a possible connection between the incident and the suspension of five Matawan football players last week. However, Matawan Athletic Director Joseph Martucci said the October incident was not connected to the suspensions.

According to Aberdeen Township Police Chief John Powers, officers responded to a report of a fight at the high school on Oct. 20 at approximately 11:30 a.m. When they arrived, the officers found that the fight had taken place on a footpath behind the school.

Several youths were running from the scene of the fight, police said. Sgt. Frank Sigismondi attempted to stop some individuals from leaving the scene. One of the youths, age 17, cursed at the officer and disobeyed his order to stop, according to police records. He then pushed past Sgt. Sigismondi, Powers said.

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The 17-year-old was advised he was under arrest but resisted efforts to handcuff him, according to Powers. Despite the efforts of several officers, he continued to violently resist efforts to subdue him. Officers used pepper spray to gain control of the subject. He was charged with obstruction of justice, aggravated assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest.

According to Martucci, the 17-year-old is a student athlete, although Martucci would not confirm which athletic team he plays for. Martucci said the student was attempting to break up the fight between the two 15-year-old boys when police arrived, and "did not respond well" to confrontation from police. He said the 15-year-olds are not student-athletes, but several other students involved in the incident are.  

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At the scene, School Resource Officer P.O. Vito Turchiano attempted to disperse the crowd of students that had gathered. A 16-year-old student cursed and punched the officer, according to police reports. He resisted efforts to handcuff him, but was subsequently subdued and taken into custody. He was charged with obstruction of justice and aggravated assault on a police officer.

While officers were attempting to arrest the first individual a large crowd gathered and encircled the officers. A 17-year-old student ran toward the officers and kicked an officer’s portable radio that had been dropped during the struggle. Lt. Alan Geyer tried to arrest the student, but he resisted. He was eventually handcuffed and taken into custody, according to police reports. He was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

As officers attempted to disperse the crowd, a 17-year-old student refused to leave and was taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct.

When the officers were leaving the school, a group of youths gathered on 7th Street, a short distance away from the scene of the fight. A 17-year-old ran from P.O. Gus Grivas, but was apprehended a short distance away. He was subsequently found to be in possession of a lockblade knife and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

All five students were released that day to the custody of parents or guardians.

The original fight involved two 15-year-old students, one of whom suffered a broken jaw, according to police reports. One was charged with aggravated assault and the other simple assault on complaints signed by their respective parents.

All charges are being reviewed by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.


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