Probe into hit-and-run of Toms River cop deepens

A man suspected of knocking down and dragging a Toms River police officer across a parking lot with a car early Tuesday afternoon faces numerous charges, and woman described as a person of interest is still sought.

Police have not issued an identity for the suspect in custody until they sort through what they described as several false identifications.

The incident erupted outside the Toms River office of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) on Hooper Avenue, in the township's Silverton section.

Officer Daniel Brennan, a 15-year veteran of the force, was investigating document fraud and speaking with someone suspected of trying to get fraudulent documents through a false identity.

At about 12:34 PM, the suspect bolted into a black Honda, threw it in reverse with the driver's door still open, and trapped Brennan between the door and the driver's seat, authorities said. Brennan was dragged about 25 yards.

The Honda hit two parked cars and sped north on Hooper. After online posts carried initial information, a tipster reported the car on Bay Point Drive, a dead-end street east of the MVC office. The car was unoccupied. Police said the suspect had been borne away by another vehicle.

At 2:25 PM, Officer Peter Saker stopped a car with Pennsylvania tags that allegedly was moving erratically through the junction of North Bay Avenue and Whitty Road. Based on previous descriptions, Saker determined that the passenger was the Honda driver.

Brennan is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Community Medical Center in Toms River.