CLIFTON, N.J. -- A 20-year-old Clifton man stopped by police punched an officer in the face after they found him carrying a knife, authorities said Thursday.
Emilio Martinez-Ferro "became uncooperative with the officers while continuing to reach into his jacket and waistband area" after they stopped him and a companion in the area of Yereance and Lexington avenues around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said.
They found him carrying the knife, Bracken said, "and while one of the officers was in the process of retrieving it, [Martinez-Ferro] punched the officer in the face and fled the scene."
The officers quickly chased him down, although Martinez-Ferro "continued to assault the officers" in an attempt to get away, he said.
Martinez-Ferro was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and weapons possession, the lieutenant said.
He remained held Thursday in the Passaic County Jail pending a bail hearing.
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