This Highlands NJ police assault began with a simple broken turn signal and ended with four officers injured and a suspect in double-locked handcuffs. On a dark morning in Highlands, New Jersey, what started as a routine traffic stop for a slow driver spiraled into a chaotic brawl involving biting, kicking, and pepper spray. The intense struggle required backup from neighboring towns and left seasoned officers needing medical attention.
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Watch: Highlands NJ Police Assault Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:08:47 where the officer reveals the warrants and the suspect’s demeanor instantly shifts.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began at 5:08 AM on October 11, 2025. Officer Stanley Wojdylak was on patrol on State Route 36 when he spotted a black Nissan Altima. The car was moving suspiciously slow—just 20 mph in a 45-mph zone—and failed to signal a turn.
The Stop and The Lie
Officer Wojdylak activated his lights and pulled the vehicle over on Linden Avenue. Along with Officer Nicole Curley, he approached the driver, identified as Yessy Garciacruz.
From the start, things felt off. When asked for her license, Garciacruz claimed the car belonged to her husband and she didn’t have her wallet. She handed over a Honduran passport instead. “I’m never the one driving,” she told the officers, trying to explain away her slow speed.
Ultimately, she admitted she didn’t have a driver’s license at all. A quick check by the Monmouth County Radio Room revealed something more serious: two active warrants for her arrest out of Rahway, NJ, totaling $1,000.
The Panic Sets In
The officers asked Garciacruz to step out of the car. They tried to keep it calm, even as she nervously asked about her “underwear” during a simple request to extend her arms.
Then, Officer Wojdylak dropped the hammer: “You have a warrant for your arrest”.
Garciacruz’s reaction was immediate denial. “No no no no no no no,” she shouted. She began backing away toward her car door, refusing to comply with orders to turn around.
The Brawl on Linden Avenue
As officers moved to handcuff her, the Highlands NJ police assault erupted. Garciacruz began striking Officer Wojdylak with closed fists. Officers Curley and Wojdylak attempted a takedown, but the suspect fought back with surprising ferocity.
“Stop kicking!” an officer yelled as the struggle hit the ground. Garciacruz screamed, “Get off me!” and “Don’t touch me!” while scratching and biting the officers.
The situation became so chaotic that the officers couldn’t even reach their radios to call for backup. Dispatch grew worried when safety checks went unanswered.
Backup and Pepper Spray
Officer Curley finally managed to scream into her radio, “Req additional units!”.
Patrolman Patrick Anderson from Atlantic Highlands arrived to find his colleagues exhausted and struggling on the ground. He drew his pepper spray (OC spray) and warned the suspect. When she refused to stop fighting, he deployed the spray.
Sergeant Travis Sodon arrived moments later, donning gloves to help finally secure Garciacruz. It took four officers to get her into double-locked handcuffs.
“She bit me,” Officer Curley confirmed breathlessly during the aftermath. All four officers involved required medical evaluation at Riverview Medical Center for blood exposure and bite wounds.
The Arrest: Charges Against Yessy Garciacruz
Garciacruz faced a laundry list of serious charges following the Highlands NJ police assault.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| Aggravated Assault on LEO (4 Counts) | Attacking a police officer (3rd Degree) | 3-5 years in prison per count |
| Resisting Arrest | Using force to prevent an arrest (3rd Degree) | 3-5 years in prison |
| Obstruction of Justice | Refusing to be fingerprinted/comply | Up to 18 months in jail |
| Unlicensed Driver | Driving without a valid license | Fines and surcharges |
| Failure to Possess Insurance | Unable to show proof of insurance | Fines, community service |
Legal Analysis: Was the Highlands NJ Police Assault Justified?
Fourth Amendment Check: The Stop
The initial stop was text-book legal. Officer Wojdylak observed two specific traffic violations: traveling 20 mph in a 45-mph zone (impeding traffic) and failing to use a turn signal. These infractions provide Reasonable Suspicion for a stop.
Probable Cause for Arrest
The arrest was mandatory, not discretionary. Once the database confirmed active warrants (ATS and ACS) from Rahway, the officers were legally obligated to take Garciacruz into custody. Her admission to driving without a license further solidified the lawful nature of the arrest.
Use of Force Review
The use of force escalated in direct response to the suspect’s actions:
- Verbal Commands: Officers initially used soft hands and verbal instructions.
- Physical Control: When she struck them, they moved to a takedown.
- Chemical Agents: OC spray was only used after the suspect continued to fight, bite, and kick despite being outnumbered. This progression aligns with the Use of Force Continuum, as officers met active aggression with non-lethal force necessary to subdue the suspect.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
5 General Legal FAQs related to the charges mentioned in the report
What typically elevates a simple assault to “Aggravated Assault” involving law enforcement?
In many jurisdictions, including New Jersey, an assault charge is automatically upgraded to “Aggravated Assault” if the victim is a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of their duties, regardless of how minor the injury might seem.
Is driving too slowly actually a punishable traffic offense?
Yes. Most states have laws regarding “Impeding Traffic” or “Impeding Slow Speed.” Drivers can be ticketed if they are driving so slowly that they block the normal and reasonable flow of traffic, creating a safety hazard for others.
What constitutes “Obstruction of Justice” during a police interaction?
Obstruction of justice generally involves physically interfering with an officer’s ability to do their job or administration of law. This can include running away, physically blocking an officer, or refusing to comply with standard processing procedures like fingerprinting.
Can a driver be arrested for “Resisting Arrest” if they didn’t physically hit an officer?
Yes. “Resisting Arrest” does not always require striking an officer. It can include actions like pulling one’s arms away, refusing to place hands behind the back, tensing up the body to prevent handcuffing, or running away after being told one is under arrest.
What is the difference between not having a license on you and being an “Unlicensed Driver”?
“Failure to Possess” a document usually means the driver has a valid license but forgot it at home. “Unlicensed Driver” typically means the person does not have a valid license issued to them at all, or their license is expired/suspended, which is a more serious offense.
Conclusion & Current Status
Yessy Garciacruz was transported to Riverview Medical Center for clearance before being jailed at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. Her vehicle was impounded.
The officers involved—Wojdylak, Curley, Anderson, and Sodon—were all treated for their injuries. This Highlands NJ police assault highlights the unpredictable danger of “routine” traffic stops.
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Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on official police records.
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