The incident occurred during a September traffic stop in New Britain Township.
A 20-year-old Easton man was charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor DUI offenses for allegedly attacking a police officer during a traffic stop in New Britain Township.
Vincent Joseph Hebel, 20, of the 1900 block of Fairview Avenue, was also charged by New Britain Township Police with misdemeanor offenses of DUI of alcohol or controlled substances, DUI as a minor, and resisting arrest, related to incidents that occurred Sept. 26 at 12:46 a.m. at West Butler Avenue and Schoolhouse Road, according to court documents.
Hebel is free on $25,000 unsecured bail, set at arraignment by Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage, according to court records.
Police said an officer was on patrol in the area of Wawa at 525 W. Butler Ave., when he got behind a black 2021 Toyota Camry sedan, driven by Hebel.
Hebel, police allege, stopped his Toyota at a steady red traffic signal entering Butler Avenue in the far right straight or right-hand turn lane, with his left turn signal on.
When the light turned green, Hebel, police said, proceeded to turn left from the incorrect lane in a car that had dark black tinted windows that made it unable to see inside.
Police said Hebel’s third brake light was also out. As Hebel continued to approach the intersection with Schoolhouse Road, police attempted to stop the car, per the complaint.
Hebel, police allege, slowly continued driving after police lights were activated and turned into the rear of Wayback Burger at 429 W. Butler Ave.
Police approached the Toyota on the passenger side and asked Hebel for his license. Police said they saw a second license in Hebel’s wallet. When he was asked to hand over the second license, Hebel denied there was one, police said.
Police approached the driver’s side of Hebel’s car, at which time, he allegedly removed the second license from his wallet and threw it onto the passenger side of the car, per the complaint.
Hebel was asked to exit the car, and he initially did not comply, police said. He eventually exited the car and was patted down for weapons, police said.
Hebel was told to lean on his rear bumper, as police returned to the patrol vehicle to run Hebel’s information through PennDOT, per the affidavit. When police returned to Hebel, he had alcohol on his breath, police allege, as well as glass eyes.
He told police he was coming from his girlfriend’s house and was heading home to Easton, per the complaint. When asked if he had anything to drink, Hebel said no, police said. Hebel agreed to field sobriety tests, which he failed, per the report. Hebel also refused a breathalyzer, police said.
Hebel began walking to the rear of his car and he was ordered to stop, police said. He told police he was going to call his girlfriend, but an officer grabbed his right arm and attempted to take him into custody, police said.
Hebel violently pulled his arm toward his chest and began reaching for his cell phone, and police grabbed his left arm and attempted to put it behind his back, but he tensed up again, police said.
Officers continued to struggle with Hebel as he allegedly pulled away and he was forced to the ground, police said, as he said, “Let’s go to the ground then.”
Hebel continued to disobey with commands and attempts at restraint, police said.
Eventually, Hebel broke free and stood up by wriggling out of his shirt, police said. He then allegedly clenched both fists, stared at an officer, and swung his right fist, missing the officer.
The officer drew his taser and told Hebel to put his hands behind his back, police said. He turned and faced the patrol vehicle, but kept one hand up on the hood of his car and would not let police put it behind his back, per the complaint.
Hebel was then tased, but allegedly continued to resist and pull away. He was eventually arrested at 1:04 a.m., police said.
He was taken to Doylestown Hospital for evaluation by paramedics, police said, and refused a legal blood draw.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. before Armitage.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
