Mario Rosales and Azael Vasquez were arrested after Rosales elbowed an officer and Vasquez tried to prevent his arrest.
TRENTON -- Two Trenton men were arrested after police say one allegedly elbowed an officer and the other tried to prevent police from making the arrest - in which officers eventually found a firearm.
Police were on patrol at 2 a.m. Tuesday when they saw Mario Rosales, 22, and Azael Vasquez, 30, on the 900 block of Liberty Street, police spokesman Lt. Stephen Varn said. The two separated at the sight of police, at which point Detectives Jonathan Cincilla and Crystal Everett stopped them and talked to them.
Rosales started walking back toward the officers with his hand in his hooded sweatshirt pocket, and detectives told him to remove his hand, Varn said. Rosales refused before eventually following the orders.
However, shortly thereafter, Rosales reached for the front pocket again but Detective Cincilla grabbed his wrist to prevent him from doing so, Varn said. At this point, Rosales struck Cincilla with his elbow and ran.
During his attempted escape, a small weapon magazine fell out onto the ground, Varn said. Officers tried to take Rosales into custody, but he struggled with them and yelled for help from Vasquez.
Vasquez then aggressively charged at the officers, and Cincilla kicked Vasquez in his stomach, Varn said.
After the detectives arrested Rosales, they found a handgun in his sweatshirt pocket, Varn said.
Rosales is charged with assaulting the officers, weapon offenses, resisting arrest and obstructing administrative law.
Vasquez is charged with assault the officers and interfering with the arrest.
Thomas Regan may be reached at tregan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Thomas_P_Regan. Find NJ.com on Facebook.