Wanted Fugitive Apprehended after Bar Fight and Foot Chase

Riverside Township Police

Riverside, NJ 

 

Early yesterday morning, Riverside Township officers were called to a bar along North Fairview Street for a fight in progress.  Officers arrived to find several customers wandering around outside the bar.  Witnesses told police that a male patron started an argument with other customers inside the bar which led to a physical altercation outside in the parking lot.  One of the male suspects allegedly struck a bar employee with a beer bottle and then ran off into the neighborhood.  After obtaining a description of the suspect, officers searched the area and located him hiding in the back yard of a nearby residence.  The officers were able to take the suspect into custody after a brief foot chase through yards and over fences.  Two of the officers received minor injuries.  The injured bar employee was treated on scene.  

The suspect was identified as Joel J. Jenkins, 32 years, of Pennsylvania.  He was found to be WANTED out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.  Jenkins was transported to the Riverside Township Police station where he was processed on numerous criminal charges.  During processing, Jenkins spit on officers and threatened to harm them.  Jenkins was charged with:

  • 2C:12-1B(2) Aggravated Assault with a Weapon (3rd)
  • 2C:39-4D Possession of a Weapon Unlawful Purpose (3rd)
  • 2C:39-5D Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (4th)
  • 2C:12-1B(5)(A) Aggravated Assault On Law Enforcement (2 Counts) (4th)
  • 2C:12-13 Throwing Bodily Fluids at a Law Enforcement Officer (4th)
  • 2C:29-1A Obstruction (4th)
  • 2C:29-2A(2) Resisting Arrest by Flight (4th)
  • 2C:18-3B(3) Defiant Trespasser (PDP)
  • 2C:17-3A(1) Criminal Mischief (DP)

Jenkins was lodged at the Burlington County Correctional Facility in Mt. Holly, NJ. 

In addition, two other bar patrons were charged for their involvement in the incident.  Larry Abele, 42 years, and Jordan Anderson, 26 years, both of Riverside, NJ were issued summonses for Disorderly Conduct (PDP).  A fourth subject said to be involved in the incident is also under investigation and criminal charges are pending.  

If anyone has any additional  information regarding this incident, please contact Riverside Police Detectives at detectives@riversidepolicenj.org or call 856-461-8820 x115.

  


“ALL SUSPECTS ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW”