
NORTH CAPE MAY- On Thursday September 18 at approximately 6:00 p.m. Detectives Chris Lambert and Mel Hedum were conducting a drug surveillance in the area of Indian Avenue.
The Lower Township Police Department had received reports of drug activity ongoing in that area.
The Detective approached a subject on a bicycle to question him about possible activity in the area.
Upon the subject seeing the detectives approach he reached into his pocket, removed a clear plastic bag containing a white powder and placed it into his mouth.
The subject then threw his bicycle at the officers to stop their approach.
A struggle then began between the detectives and the subject as the officers attempted to stop the subject from swallowing the bag.
During the struggle the subject was able to strike the officers and swallow the bag.
The officers and the subject were not seriously injured as a result of the struggle. Because of the subject swallowing the bag he was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center for treatment.
At the Medical Center the subject was given a saline solution that caused an immediate evacuation of his entire digestive tract.
Remains of the bag were discovered but not recovered. None of the believed drugs could be identified.
The subject was identified as Joseph S. Hoffman, a 48 year old white male from North Cape May.
Mr. Hoffman was charged with resisting arrest, assault on a police officer, and possession of drugs.
Mr. Hoffman was placed in the County Jail in default of $25,000 cash bail.
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Comments (14)
We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article.
Wed, 09/24/2008 - 8:40pm
CHIEF MAHER.....ISN'T THIS THE SAME PERSON WHO SAID THAT THERE ARE NO DRUGS IN LOWER TWP. COME ON!
Tue, 09/23/2008 - 9:44pm
As in any profession, some work hard. Some skate. Cops are no different than say, nurses or trashmen. Work ethic is not dependent on the job you hold, but rather the person you are.
Tue, 09/23/2008 - 7:58pm
I agree with the person below.This is the equivalent to gossip .Lambert is a crook himself .
Tue, 09/23/2008 - 11:50am
the last thing any police officer does is work hard...lets get real...
Mon, 09/22/2008 - 10:23pm
How come the only people in Lower Township who hate the cops are the bad guys and Mike Beck, and his supporters? How do I know Mike Beck hates the cops? The president of the Lower Township Taxpayer's Association said so, right here on the online forum and she does speak for him, doesn't she? Did she speak for him as well when she demanded a stupid thank you from the cop who came back from iraq?
Mon, 09/22/2008 - 12:05pm
If they don't post anything, people say you don't do anything. You do post something and they say don't. You go ahead and keep posting LTPD i'm glad to see the people who drag this community in the mud get locked up. I would have jammed that bike up his ***
but unfortunately , Bad guys seem to get more rights than the law obiding citizens.
And of course he won't pay the hospital bill, so that will be on us. If you didn't take him to the hospital he and his family would sue the township if he'd have died or gotten sick.
So yeah embarass him and give the details. Hpoefully the *** will learn from this as well as others who maybe thinking of selling or doing drugs.
Sun, 09/21/2008 - 5:28pm
Publicizing arrests sends a message to the criminal element that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. In addition, the public has a right to know what goes on in their community. Thank you to the LTPD for all of the hard work you do!
Sun, 09/21/2008 - 11:32am
It's all over anyway folks if Beck gets in. He wants to eliminate two detectives a Captain and a Lieutenant plus four more officers through attrition. His open form of government is to allow the people have more of a say. Like the one who got up at the last township meeting and complained about "Bird Seed". Now the cops have to go after the bird seed Bird Seed Bandit who is throwing bird seed on peoples lawn. She's a Beck supporter. And remember the Cape May County Gazette and how nice that was because it was delivered.....no more. Thanks to one person on the Lower Township Taxpayers Association who is one of Becks right hand men. This bozo who lives in Mickels Run complains about everything. Real Estate Signs, news papers etc. He wants the Township to put a flag, bushes and lighting at the entrance to Mickels Run and he wants the Township to pay for it and the monthly electric along with maintenance. You see Mr. Beck has his people who support him. But they have their agenda also. I honestly hope Beck wins. This way I can get up at every township meeting and publicly bash him every time there is a break in, fight, loud party, or even a stinking barking dog. That's right Beck.....if my quality of life diminishes in the slightest aspect, I will hold you accountable, Every Meeting, Every Day, Every Minute !!
Sun, 09/21/2008 - 6:20am
Which way do you want it? The complaints of our Police Dept. doing nothing to earn their keep are abundant. When a story such as this is printed, you complain. Most of us want to know that the pukes in this area are being caught. Give it up!
Sat, 09/20/2008 - 5:31pm
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 11:01pm
I appreciate what the police do on a daily basis, but does there have to be a public announcement every time they do anything. With 7 detectives you could have a press release every day, oh wait a minute, they to have one or two every day. Give us a BREAK. When Chief Maher was in charge he didn't have to fluff his feathers every time someone did a good job, his recognition to the officer was enough, now that WAS respect
You must get your numbers from Mike Beck, you're off there bucko. There are 4 plus the Sargent.
Sat, 09/20/2008 - 1:55pm
They need to put out the releases to show what great work they are doing. They get so many complaints on a daily basis that they can not keep up on all of them, this shows that they are trying and in my opinion do a great job. If this is what they are catchin how much are they not getting. Just more proof that we need more officers. Keep up the good work LTPD.
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 11:01pm
I appreciate what the police do on a daily basis, but does there have to be a public announcement every time they do anything. With 7 detectives you could have a press release every day, oh wait a minute, they to have one or two every day. Give us a BREAK. When Chief Maher was in charge he didn't have to fluff his feathers every time someone did a good job, his recognition to the officer was enough, now that WAS respect.
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 6:21pm
At the Medical Center the subject was given a saline solution that caused an immediate evacuation of his entire digestive tract.
Remains of the bag were discovered but not recovered. None of the believed drugs could be identified.
That was WAY more information than necessary for this article.
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 2:47pm
Ewwwww Gross !