Police Charge Drunk Driver with Resisting Arrest, Assault

BURLEIGH — On April 4 at approximately 10 p.m., the Middle Township Street Crimes Unit was in the process of executing two arrest warrants.
According to police, as they were arresting these subjects, a vehicle drove by the officers at a low rate of speed and the driver appeared to be impaired. One of the officers Mark Higginbottom stopped the vehicle and identified himself as a police officer. The driver, Robert Martin, 48, of Burleigh, yelled an obscenity at the officer and drove away.
Higginbottom left the other members of the unit to apprehend Martin, who drove a block and half away to his residence, police said. Higginbottom pulled his police vehicle behind Martin’s vehicle, and Martin charged at the officer. Higginbottom called for back up and attempted to arrest Martin.
North Wildwood police were requested for mutual aid, because other Middle Township units were on other emergency calls, including the Street Crimes Unit around the corner still in the process of arresting two subjects on outstanding warrants.
Sgt. D. Nelson and Inv. J. Norton secured the two other subjects, and Nelson left the arrestees with Norton and ran to Higginbottom’s location. Nelson and Higginbottom attempted to gain control and secure Martin, who resisted arrest and assaulted the officers.
After he was secured, Nelson was treated at Cape Regional Medical Center for injuries he sustained to his left thumb and right knee.
Higginbottom sustained cuts and abrasions to his hands and knees. Nelson is currently on light duty. Higginbottom is back to work at full duty.
Martin was charged with the following:
1. Eluding
2. Resisting Arrest
3. (2) Counts of Aggravated Assault
4. Driving While Intoxicated
5. Refusing to submit to a Breath Test
Judge George Neidig set bail at $25,000 and Martin was lodged in county jail in lieu of bail after being treated for injuries sustained during the incident at Cape Regional Medical Center.