Officers Arrest Robbery Suspect Who Assaulted Hotel Employees and Guests
Two South Brunswick Police officers investigating a robbery Saturday were attacked by the suspect who refused commands to surrender. The suspect had just robbed the front desk manager and assaulted people in the lobby prior to fleeing to a hotel room. Officer Brooke LaBell and Officer Craig Cleffi arrived at the Hotel Vincenza at 3793 Route 1 within minutes of the 911 call at 12:07pm. The hotel manager told the officers that the suspect Kevin Thompson-Perry age 27 of West Paterson had assaulted two employees and a juvenile all while stealing cash from the register. The manager said Thompson-Perry had fled the lobby and headed back to his hotel room.
Officer LaBell and Officer Cleffi went to the room and knocked on the door. Thompson-Perry slammed the door open and yelled for the officers to come in. The officers instructed Thompson-Perry to exit the room but he refused. Officer Cleffi entered the room and immediately encountered Thompson-Perry in a fighting stance. Thompson-Perry knocked Officer Cleffi into a wall. Officer Cleffi and Officer LaBell wrestled Thompson-Perry to the ground as he spit at them. The officers were able to subdue Thompson-Perry and get him handcuffed.
Thompson-Perry was taken back to police headquarters and processed. He was charged with robbery, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, resisting arrest, throwing bodily fluids at a law enforcement officer, simple assault, and burglary. He was lodged in the Middlesex County Correction Center.
Chief Raymond Hayducka credited the officers with their quick actions in apprehending the suspect. “The officers were faced with a suspect who was highly agitated and looking to do battle. Their quick and decisive actions resolved the situation before it could escalate any further. The danger he posed to the hotel and its guests were stopped by the officers,” said Hayducka.
