A predawn line-cutting incident at a Middletown Target store on Black Friday led to the arrest of a Belford man on charges of assaulting a township police officer, according to authorities.
Here’s the announcement issued Monday by Middletown police:
On November 26, 2010 at approximately 3:10am police officers, working a special duty assignment at the Target store in Middletown, arrested Christopher Melchionna, age 28, from Orchard Avenue in Belford for Disorderly Conduct, Terroristic Threats, Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.
Police were working a special detail at the store to assist with crowd control and to ensure the safety of shoppers who had arrived early to wait in line for the store to open when Ptl. Anthony Dellatacoma observed Melchionna attempting to cut ahead of people in line to secure a better spot. Officer Dellatacoma warned Melchionna and advised him to return to his spot in line.
Approximately one hour later officers assigned to the detail observed Melchionna attempt to cut in line once again. Ptl. Dellatacoma approached him at which point Melchionna threw his shoulder into the officer. Officer Dellatacoma, along with Lt. John Maguire and Ptl. Andrew Micalizzi, attempted to place Melchionna under arrest when he became extremely irate. He began shouting profanities at the officers and assumed a fighting stance. Melchionna then began to throw punches at the officers and refused to obey commands to stop resisting arrest and to place his hands on his head.
Officers radioed for further assistance and with the help of Cpl. Mark Ward were able to finally place handcuffs on Melchionna and take him into custody. Officers reported that Melchionna was intoxicated at the time.
He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and bail was set at $7,500.00 with a 10% option by Judge Richard Thompson.
