A marijuana deal in an Elmwood apartment complex leads to a slashing, beating and assaults on two police officers, the borough police chief said.
ELMWOOD PARK -- A 25-year-old man attacked two police officers after he slashed another man in the face with a razor in a melee that stemmed from a drug-deal-turned-robbery at an apartment complex in the borough Wednesday, authorities said.
Malcolm Moody, of Englewood, was held on charges, including armed robbery, two counts of aggravated assault on police officers, weapons possession and aggravated assault. Police said two of his alleged accomplices remained at large.
Officers were initially dispatched to the Elmwood Village Apartment Complex, near Boulevard and 16th Avenue, for a report of five suspicious men hanging around a driveway shortly before 5 p.m., according to police Chief Michael Foligno.
As Officer Keith Hartmann arrived, he saw three men beating another man, the chief said. Hartmann ordered the group to stop, but two fled while Moody continued pummeling the victim.
Hartmann tackled Moody as he tried to run away, Foligno added. The two fought as the officer repeatedly tried to handcuff the assailant.
Officer Ryan Nichols was rushing to help his colleague when he tripped on a large pot hole, snapping a bone in his leg, police said. Nichols was scheduled for surgery at a local hospital.
Foligno said another backup officer, Victor Scott, helped Hartmann handcuff Moody.
"During the arrest [Moody] assaulted both officers by striking them in the chest and upper body with his elbows and hands," according to the chief.
Police found the victim of Moody's attack, Daniel Medina, suffering from multiple injuries, including cuts to his head and face, Foligno said. Those wounds were apparently caused by a straight-edge razor, which Hartmann recovered at the scene.
Foligno said his officers soon learned Medina, 20, and Daniel Mazzitelle, 21, both of Elmwood Park, met Moody and his accomplices at the apartment complex to sell them four ounces of marijuana. Police found Mazzitelle in a car at the scene, he added.
"The deal went bad and Moody and his accomplices attempted to rob Mazzitelle and Medina, which caused the altercation," the chief wrote in an email.
The investigation led police to Medina's house, where they seized about two pounds of marijuana and several rounds of ammunition for a handgun, Foligno said.
Police charged Mazzitelle and Medina with a range of drug offenses, including possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.
Medina was ordered held at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $50,000 full bail, officials said. Mazzitelle was released after posting his bail of $15,000, with a 10 percent option.
Authorities said Moody was held at the county jail on $250,000 full bail.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.