SHAWCREST — Michael Ricci, 23, of the 100 block West Pacific Avenue, Villas, was arrested by Lower Township police July 16 at 12:30 p.m. and charged with various counts, including aggravated assault on a police officer.
According to a police report, the dispatch center received a report from a concerned citizen who had just observed a male allegedly striking a female on the Wildwood Boulevard in the Middle-Lower township border area.
The caller followed the vehicle that held the couple that had the physical altercation.
Police Communications Officer John Piggot began to run the vehicle registration through the motor vehicle computer in order to identify the suspect.
Due to the fact that the license plate number had been transposed, it took several attempts to identify the driver who committed the alleged crime. Piggot relayed that information to patrol units who intercepted the suspect at his residence.
Ricci was identified and stopped by Patrolman Joseph Boyle. During the encounter, Ricci began a confrontation with the officer that ended in him allegedly spitting on Boyle.
After that, he was placed under arrest, and resisted that action. He was subsequently charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, obstruction and contempt of court.
Ricci was remanded to county jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
