Man Accused of Assaulting Officers in June Pharmacy Scuffle

A Newark man has been charged in connection with a June scuffle at the Madison Pharmacy and subsequent chase that resulted in injuries to two borough police officers, authorities said Monday.

Michael Hawkins was arrested at 10:20 a.m. Thursday and charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and attempted fraud, Madison police announced in a news release.

Hawkins, who was in custody at the Essex County jail on unrelated charges when he was charged, allegedly threw shelving and fled in June as police were trying to question him for suspected prescription fraud at the Main Street business, police said.

He was arrested last week by Detective Paul Kosakowski with the assistance of Detective Kenneth Shannon, Detective Lt. Dennis Lam said.

On June 24, Madison Police Sgt. Sean Plumstead and Patrolman Michael Minni responded the pharmacy and made contact with Hawkins to investigate suspected prescription fraud, police said.

As the officers were gathering information from witnesses at the scene, Hawkins allegedly took off running and, in the course of attempting to flee, pushed a large metal display stand in the way of Minni.

The officer gave chase and was injured by the display stand. Plumstead also gave chase and sustained an injury, police said.

Police said Hawkins eluded capture by getting into a waiting vehicle in the Elmer Street Lot.

Kosakowski processed the scene, and surveillance video showed Hawkins drinking from a water bottle left at the scene. The bottle as well as other items were taken into evidence, and DNA obtained from the water bottle and video footage led to Hawkins as a suspect, according to police.

Hawkins was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, criminal attempt for obtaining by fraud and uttering a forged instrument. Bail was set at $50,000 with no 10 percent option.