Man Accused of Punching Woman in the Face, Assaulting Police Officer

Two brothers were arrested last week after one of them punched a woman in the face and assaulted a police officer, Hopatcong Police said.

Francisco Torres, 22, of Camden, was charged with resisting arrest, assault, aggravated assault on a police officer, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Nathan Torres, 18, of Hopatcong, was charged with obstruction and resisting arrest.

According to Lt. Thomas Kmetz, a woman came out of the Rite Aid on July 17 and found the two brothers sitting on her car talking to others inside another vehicle. The woman told them the vehicle was hers and Francisco Torres responded by punching the woman in the jaw, Kmetz said.

The woman ran inside and called 911. Sgt. Joseph Magrini responded and saw the two men and an unidentified woman walking on Hopatchung Road. Magrini stopped the female, but the brothers continued to walk away, Kmetz said. 

After being ordered to stop, they turned and approached the officer, Kmetz said. Francisco Torres threatened Magrini. Francisco Torres was placed under arrest for the threats and handcuffed while continuing to curse and threaten Magrini, Kmetz said.

As he was being placed in the patrol car, Torres spun away and attempted to knee the officer, Kmetz said. Magrini took Torres to the ground, Kmetz said. Torres suffered abrasions to his face, Kmetz said. Magrini sustained an abrasion to his elbow, ripped his pants and broke his holster, Kmetz said.

Nathan Torres then attempted to walk away from the scene, Kmetz said. Torres was apprehended but tried to pull away from the arresting officer, Kmetz said.

The two brothers were charged and later released.