A man who allegedly grabbed a police officer’s tie and dragged him while fleeing a traffic stop has been convicted of eluding, but acquitted of aggravated assault.
Alan Fratello Jr. faces an extended term of up to 20 years in state prison due to his prior criminal convictions. He's due to be sentenced May 17.
Middlesex County prosecutors say the 47-year-old South Brunswick resident was stopped in June for erratic driving on Route 32 east. They say he pulled a detective’s necktie when the officer approached the car and then began driving away.
The detective had to briefly run alongside the vehicle before he freed himself. He wasn't injured.
Fratello denied grabbing the detective’s tie or dragging him. He also testified that the detective struck him and was verbally abusive.