Delaware State Police News Release Timothy E. Winstead

Newark Man in Custody after Waiving Gun at New Jersey Troopers

Released Sunday, April 20, 2008

Stanton – The Delaware State Police have arrested a 25-year-old Newark man after he brandished a black handgun at two New Jersey State Troopers yesterday.

The New Jersey State Police were following up on an investigation they were conducting after two of their troopers were shot earlier that morning in New Jersey. During that incident New Jersey State Police were involved in a vehicle pursuit with two vehicles of which one was eventually stopped. A shooting occurred between the occupant of the stopped vehicle and troopers that resulted in the troopers injured and suspect killed.

The second fleeing vehicle failed to stop and this was the cause of the continuing investigation on behalf of the New Jersey State Police. Through the course of their investigative efforts, they developed information that someone had attempted to contact the fatally shot subject from the Red Roof Inn, in Newark, Delaware

This led detectives from NJSP to contact the Delaware State Police for assistance. During the investigation, two plainclothes detectives from NJSP, who were seated in a silver unmarked Ford Crown Victoria with New Jersey plates, observed a silver Dodge Intrepid approach them from behind in the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn. The operator of this Intrepid looked at the troopers and pointed a black handgun at the detectives. In addition, the subject began waving the handgun around in the air.

The two NJSP Detectives further determined that there was at least a second subject inside the silver Dodge Intrepid, as well. The silver Dodge Intrepid then drove away through the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn, at which point, the two NJSP Detectives followed.

The two NJSP Detectives then informed DSP, who were already en route to assist them, to the crime just committed by the driver of the silver Dodge Intrepid. The two NJSP Detectives then observed the Dodge Intrepid park at the West end of the Red Roof Inn, at which point the driver exited the vehicle, and began to flee the scene on foot.

Two DSP Troopers immediately arrived on scene and apprehended the fleeing subject in the parking lot of the adjoining Days Inn Hotel located at 900 Churchmans Road, Newark after a short foot pursuit. He has been identified as Charles P. Bohan, 25 of Newark. The second subject believed to be in the vehicle was not apprehended and is currently at large.

Due to the incident, Mr. Bohan was formally charged with two counts of Aggravated Menacing. He was arraigned and committed to the Howard T Young Correctional Center in lieu of an $8,000.00 cash only bond. On Sunday, 04-20-08, Charles Bohan was transported and turned over to Gander Hill Prison.

Note: This is an ongoing investigation amongst the NJSP and any questions regarding the shooting incident in New Jersey need to be directed to Sgt. Steve Jones. For your convenience, I have attached a copy of the Press Release released by NJSP.

________________________________________________________________________

Trooper-involved shooting: 2 p.m. update

Mannington Twp, Salem County, N.J. – Two New Jersey state troopers were wounded, and one man was shot and killed by troopers after an attempted traffic stop resulted in an exchange of gunfire early this morning. The incident occurred at approximately 3:40 a.m. on a farmhouse property at 741 State Highway 45.

The troopers, working out of the Woodstown Barracks, attempted to stop two vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed on southbound Route 40. The vehicles continued onto State Highway 45, until the rear vehicle, a green Chevrolet Malibu slowed almost to a stop in front of the farmhouse. The driver, who was the sole occupant in the car, ran from the car toward an outbuilding on the right side of the road. The car rolled to a stop in a field to the left side of the road. The front vehicle continued on the highway.

Troopers Matthew Szustowicz, 26, and Luis Tomlinson, 25, pursued the subject on foot and upon entering the open end of the building, Trooper Tomlinson was shot along the side of his face and ear and Trooper Szustowicz was shot in the hand. The subject was shot and killed.

The troopers were taken to Memorial Hospital in Salem County and Trooper Szustowicz was later transferred to Cooper Hospital in Camden for further treatment.

The man was declared dead at the scene. His identity has not been confirmed at the time of this writing. The Malibu he was driving was determined to be stolen from Pennsylvania.

Further investigation showed that the other vehicle was driven to Christiana, Delaware. New Jersey troopers located that vehicle at a Red Roof Inn and called Delaware State Police. One subject was arrested at that hotel and the search continues for another possible accomplice.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Attorney General’s Shooting Response Team.

###