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Police: Unruly Rehab Patient Hits Rochelle Park Officer In Head With Wheelchair Foot Rest
A rehab patient hit a Rochelle Park police officer in the head with his wheelchair's foot rest, causing an injury, during a disturbance at a local nursing facility, authorities said.
Officers responding to an 8:30 p.m. call Monday of a patient behaving erratically at Alaris Health Facility North tried to calm Michael Malia, 38, of Bloomfield so he could be taken to a hospital, Police Lt. James DePreta said.
Malia, however, "became violent towards staff and the officers," including striking the officer with the foot rest, he said.
Police subdued Malia and took him to New Bridge Medical Cent…
