Colts Neck Police bodycam footage captures the chaotic moment a fugitive leaped from a second-story motel railing into the woods to escape arrest. What began as a routine traffic stop at the Village Inn in Colts Neck, New Jersey, quickly escalated into a violent confrontation involving a fake identity, a desperate foot chase, and assaults on two officers.
Table of Contents
Watch: Colts Neck Police Bodycam Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:15:00 where the suspect, Amanda Johnson, climbs the railing and jumps toward the wooded area to evade police.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The Initial Stop
The incident began on June 21, 2024, at approximately 7:13 PM. Officer Kazmac of the Colts Neck Police Department observed a red 2003 Toyota sedan run a stop sign at the intersection of State Route 34 and Merchants Way. The officer initiated a motor vehicle stop, following the car into the parking lot of the Village Inn.
The driver, Kenneth Lelong, was cooperative, but the situation shifted when the officer spoke to the female passenger. She voluntarily identified herself as “Kathleen Muller” and claimed her birthday was October 15, 1976.
The Web of Lies
Suspicion grew quickly. When Officer Kazmac ran the name “Kathleen Muller,” the database returned a driver’s license with a different birthday: October 10, 1975. When pressed about the discrepancy, the woman claimed she hadn’t renewed her license and gave confusing answers.
Officer Kazmac noticed a specific tattoo on her back that matched booking photos of a wanted subject named Amanda Johnson. To confirm his suspicion, he asked her to lift her pant legs to check for more ink. He observed red cherries with black lettering on her right leg and the words “His Angel” on her left leg. These tattoos were a perfect match for Amanda Johnson, a woman with multiple active warrants.
The Chase and Struggle
After confirming her true identity and the active warrants, officers approached the motel room where Johnson and Lelong were staying. They asked her to step out and attempted to place her in handcuffs. Johnson pulled away, claiming she was sick from drug withdrawal, and asked for an ambulance.
Suddenly, Johnson bolted. She ran up the stairs, climbed the railing, and jumped off the second floor toward a wooded area behind the inn. Patrolman Hoffman grabbed her arm, but she pushed him away. Officer Kazmac performed a takedown, bringing her to the ground.
During the struggle in the woods, Johnson kicked Patrolman Hoffman multiple times in the leg. She grabbed a nearby tree with her right arm and refused to let go, tucking her arms under her body to avoid being handcuffed. The struggle was so intense that Officer Kazmac’s body-worn camera was knocked off his vest.
The Arrest: Charges Against Amanda Johnson
Amanda Johnson was eventually subdued and taken into custody. She faced serious charges for her actions during the Colts Neck Police bodycam incident.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| Hindering Apprehension | Giving false information (like a fake name) to police to avoid arrest. | Up to 18 months in prison (NJ 4th Degree). |
| Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement (2 Counts) | Causing bodily injury to a police officer (kicking/fighting). | 3-5 years in prison per count (NJ 3rd Degree). |
| Resisting Arrest | Using physical force or flight to prevent an officer from making an arrest. | Up to 3-5 years if force is used. |
| Warrant Arrest | Being arrested on previously active court orders. | Varies based on original offense. |
Did you know? You can check arrest records for anyone in your neighborhood instantly. [Search Public Records Here]
Legal Analysis: Was the Colts Neck Police Bodycam Stop Justified?
Fourth Amendment Check: The Stop
The initial stop was legally sound. Officer Kazmac directly observed the vehicle fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, a violation of NJ Statute 39:4-144. This provides the “reasonable suspicion” required to detain the vehicle and its occupants for investigation.
Investigating the Passenger
Typically, passengers are not required to identify themselves unless they are suspected of a crime. However, in this Colts Neck Police bodycam scenario, the officer had reasonable suspicion that the passenger was providing false information (Hindering), which is a crime. The visual match of the tattoos to a known wanted person (Amanda Johnson) gave the officers “probable cause” to effect the arrest.
Police Protocol and Use of Force
When Johnson fled and physically resisted, officers were authorized to use reasonable force to secure her. The report notes Officer Kazmac performed a “take down” only after she pushed another officer and attempted to flee into the woods. Given her active warrants and immediate flight, this escalation follows standard police procedures for fugitive apprehension.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
5 normal and general FAQs related to the charges in this case
What is “Hindering Apprehension”?
Hindering apprehension happens when a person tries to help themselves or someone else avoid being caught by the police. In this case, giving a fake name (“Kathleen Muller”) and a false date of birth to hide active warrants is a common form of hindering.
Do passengers in a car always have to show ID?
Generally, passengers in the US do not have to show ID during a traffic stop unless the officer has “reasonable suspicion” that they are committing a crime. In this incident, the officer demanded ID because he suspected the passenger was lying about her identity, which is a crime.
What makes an assault “Aggravated” when it involves police?
Simple assault usually involves minor injuries. However, in many states like New Jersey, any physical assault on a law enforcement officer (like kicking or pushing) is automatically upgraded to “Aggravated Assault.” This carries much harsher prison sentences than hitting a regular civilian.
Does running away count as “Resisting Arrest”?
Yes. You do not have to fight an officer to be charged with resisting arrest. Simply running away (known as “flight”) after being told you are under arrest counts as resisting. “Tensing up” or hiding your hands to prevent handcuffing is also considered resisting.
What happens if you have a warrant from another town?
If police stop you and find a warrant from a different town or county (like the “Middlesex County Sheriff” warrant in this case), they are required to arrest you. You will be held in custody until the agency that issued the warrant can come and pick you up or until a judge sets bail.
Conclusion & Current Status
Following the chaotic arrest, Amanda Johnson was transported to Bayshore Medical Center for treatment of abdominal pain and drug withdrawal. Both Officer Kazmac and Patrolman Hoffman sustained cuts and injuries during the altercation.
Johnson was subsequently processed and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI). The driver, Kenneth Lelong, was issued a summons for the stop sign violation and released at the scene.
Download Police Report click here.
Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on official police records.
Don’t Rely on Their Word Alone In this case, conflicting stories led to an arrest. The only way to prove your innocence in a traffic stop is with your own 4K evidence. Protect yourself this holiday season. 🎄 Click Here