Two troopers hurt during Berks roadside arrest of wanted New Jersey man

Steven Henshaw, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·2 min read

Mar. 21—Two state troopers from Reading suffered minor injuries while struggling to arrest a New Jersey fugitive whose vehicle broke down in northeastern Berks County, investigators said.

Troopers deployed a Taser and chemical spray during the struggle before Michael J. Mazza, 40, was taken into custody about noon Monday in the 100 block of Long Dam Road in Maxatawny Township, according to the criminal complaint.

Mazza, of Ocean Township, N.J. was committed to Berks County Prison in lieu of $20,000 bail after arraignment before Senior District Judge Gloria W. Stitzel in Reading Central Court.

He faces charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, making terroristic threats and resisting arrest.

According to investigators:

Troopers Collin Reber and Christian Reistroffer were dispatched for a disabled vehicle in the 100 block of Long Dam Road. Upon arriving they found an SUV with a temporary New Jersey license plate.

They approached the vehicle and made contact with Mazza, who was acting in an erratic manner. A query of his driver's license revealed an active arrest warrant issued March 13 by Ocean Township police on a charge of obstructing a court order.

Troopers told Mazza that he was under arrest because of the active warrant. As Mazza exited the vehicle, Reistroffer grabbed his left arm and Reber dragged his right arm.

Mazza tried to use his elbows to hit Reber. Reistroffer tried to control Mazza by grabbing both of his arms, but Mazza broke free and started to run away.

Reber deployed his Taser, but Mazza continued to run with the probes in his back, snapping the wires connecting them to the stun gun.

Mazza tripped over a log. Reber got on top of him while Reifstroffer deployed his Taser, striking Mazza in the leg. Mazza yelled to the troopers that he was going to kill them.

Mazza managed to get up, and Reber brought him to the ground while Reifstroffer deployed his chemical spray on the suspect. As they struggled to handcuff him, Mazza rolled onto his back and began kicking both troopers in the shins before finally being subdued.

Reber sustained cuts to his knees and shins, and Reistroffer suffered a sprained or broken thumb.