The party ended in a cell

By Karen Zautyk

KEARNY –
Advice to partygoers: If the neighbors complain about the noise and the cops show up, just turn down the music.
At 12:30 a.m., Aug. 16, Kearny Police Officers Joe Martinez and Ben Wuelfing responded to complaints about a loud party at Kearny and Stewart Aves. Outside, a 21-year-old man from Kearny attempted to prevent the cops from entering, Police Chief John Dowie said.
To stop Martin from opening the gate, the man reportedly grabbed the cop’s arm and shoved him. A struggle ensued, Dowie said, and another local 21-year-old male joined the fray. While Martin was attempting to cuff the combative pair, Wuelfing tried to pacify them with OC spray.
At that point, the chief said, Wuelfing was jumped from behind by a 19-year-old female from Lodi. She got sprayed, too.

To read the full story, see this week’s issue of The Observer.

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