A Lakewood police officer was struck by a vehicle a short time ago, Detective Greg Staffordsmith confirms to TLS.“I can confirm that one of our officers was struck a short time ago, but I don’t have the exact location or details at this time,” Satffordsmith said.

The officer was not seriously injured, but is being examined at a local hospital as a precaution, Staffordsmith said.

UPDATE 12:10am:

Just before 6pm an officer was struck by a motor vehicle while investigating suspicious activity involving a white Nissan Altima on Locust Street near New Hampshire Avenue.

Officer Tyler Distefano and Detective Sgt. Jason Pederson were investigating what they believed to be an individual who was involved in distributing illegal narcotics.

As the Officers approached the vehicle, the operator – identified as 30-year-old Rashad Anderson of Lakewood, drove directly towards Dsgt. Peterson. As a result, the Sergeant was struck, causing him to land on the hood before rolling off onto the ground.

Although he did not sustain serious injury, he was treated at Monmouth Medical Center and released.

A short time later, Officers from Jackson Township located the vehicle on Bluebell Court, as well as an apartment associated with it. They then set up a perimeter and began to surveil both the apartment and car.

At approximately 9:20pm Anderson was taken into custody after Officers from both Jackson and Lakewood saw him near the front door of the apartment.

“At this time the investigation is ongoing. Criminal charges for Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer as well as Eluding are expected,” Staffordsmith said.