Accused shoplifter charged with head-butting Elmwood Park police officer, taken to Bergen Regional

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: What began as a shoplifting arrest turned into aggravated assault and robbery charges, with $50,000 bail, when the suspect head-butted an Elmwood Park police officer, authorities said this morning.

Photo Credit: *Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY SHERIFF*

Jerry DeMarco

11/25/2014 4:24 p.m.

Security at the Kmart on Broadway brought 19-year-old Gabriel Santana to their office and called police yesterday afternoon after seeing him shove merchandise into his waistband, Police Chief Michael Foligno said.

As officers began searching him, the 5-foot-7-inch, 140-pound Santana head-butted one of them, then tried fighting them off, the chief said.

They quickly got him into custody, with him and them sustaining minor injuries, Foligno said.

Santana was being held at Bergen Regional Medical Center this morning, under the guard of Bergen County sheriff’s officers. He’s charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one each of robbery and resisting arrest.

MUGSHOT: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY SHERIFF

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