Newark Police arrested an 18-year-old Newark resident following what police described as a disturbance involving a baseball bat on Van Buren Street earlier this week.
According to police, officers responded around 1:25 p.m. Wednesday to the 200 block of Van Buren Street for a reported disturbance in progress. While officers were en route, dispatchers received information that one of the individuals involved was armed with a baseball bat.
Responding officers observed a red vehicle leaving the area and conducted a traffic stop. Police said the driver and passenger were detained as the investigation continued.
Investigators determined that Ashton Norsen had gone to the location to engage in what police described as a mutual fist fight following a dispute on social media. It is alleged that during the altercation, Norsen retrieved a baseball bat and swung it multiple times at several individuals, including a juvenile. Authorities said Norsen fled while officers attempted to detain him, but he was captured within a short distance. During the arrest, two Newark police officers suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene by EMS personnel.
Police said a more thorough search conducted later at the police station allegedly uncovered suspected crack cocaine in Norsen’s possession. Investigators said the quantity and packaging of the drugs were consistent with someone engaged in the sale of a controlled substance.
Norsen was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree assault, second-degree menacing, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree harassment.
Police said Norsen was already on probation at the time of the incident. A probation detainer was issued, and he is currently being held at the Wayne County Jail.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
