New Jersey Man Charged with Assaulting Moon Officer

A said he was attacked by a New Jersey man during a routine traffic stop earlier this week. 

Police said Damien Lamont Delts, 37, of Englewood, struck Moon Officer Ian Lucas in the face multiple times Tuesday afternoon before fleeing on foot behind an apartment building in the 500 block of Thorn Hollow Road, where police apprehended him. 

Delts has been charged with aggravated assault, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, resisting arrest, hindering apprehension or prosecution, possession of cocaine and criminal mischief. 

Lucas pulled Delts over at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday on Thorn Hollow Road after tracing Delts' New Jersey license plate and learning that his Pennsylvania drivers license had expired. 

Lucas said when he asked Delts to step out of his gold Mercedes Benz for a body pat down, the man became agitated and attempted to run away. 

Lucas wrestled him to the ground, but Delts continued to struggle to get away from the officer, flailing his arms and striking Lucas in the face with a closed fist several times.  

Delts fled to the back of a nearby apartment building. When Lucas found him, Delts charged at the officer and struck him with what Lucas called a "football stiff arm."

Lucas sprayed him with pepper spray twice and held him at gunpoint until other officers arrived at the scene. 

Lucas reported that as officers were transporting him to the township's police station, Delts said, "Lucas, I wasn't trying to punch you. I was just trying to get you out of my way." 

Lucas suffered a split lip but no serious injuries during the incident. Delts, who court records show has an extensive history of traffic violations, was uninjured. 

Police later found five plastic bags filled with crack cocaine, totaling 2 grams, outside of the apartment building that Delts was attempting to flee to. Police believe the drugs belonged to Delts. 

He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail following the incident and held on $10,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Sept. 13 in Coraopolis District Court.