Charity Run Turns Heroic for Off-Duty Cops on AC Boardwalk

An off-duty Atlantic City cop encountered a dangerous situation on Sunday while participating in a charity run on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Another off-duty officer from the Northfield Police Department came to his assistance.

In a Facebook post, the Atlantic City Police Department says that Lieutenant James Herbert noticed a man on the beach who had a woman in a headlock, pulling her towards the underside of the Boardwalk

The incident took place a little after 10 am on Sunday when Herbert was off-duty, taking part in the Seedorf/McMeekin Memorial 5K Run.

Herbert intervened and stopped the man, Xontae Glass. Lieutenant Herbert requested another runner to call 9-1-1. Several other 9-1-1 calls were also received.

Off-Duty Cop and Suspect Involved in Boardwalk Fight

Herbert followed Glass and the woman onto the Boardwalk while waiting for police officers to respond, and a fight broke out between the officer and the suspect, according to the AC Police Facebook post.

During the altercation, Glass pulled out a pocket knife and threatened Lieutenant Herbert with the weapon. An off-duty Captain of the Northfield’s Police Department, Scott Pollak, witnessed the incident.

 

When the suspect brandished the knife and advanced on Lieutenant Herbert, Captain Pollak retrieved his off-duty weapon and gave verbal commands to Glass who began to retreat, dropped the knife, and ultimately ran off the Boardwalk at New York Avenue.

 

The Suspect Ran Away

Glass ran down the boardwalk and tried to hide, but several witnesses saw that he was hiding just off the boardwalk at New York Ave.

Glass was taken into custody. Police say he became combative while being transported to the police station, and he injured another officer who was watching him.

“This incident highlights that officers are never off-duty and are always serving and protecting,” said Atlantic City Police Chief James Sarkos.

“In this instance, two off-duty police officers from different departments came together without hesitation to de-escalate a volatile situation and protect a person who appeared to be in severe physical danger and distress.” “I would also like to commend the members of the public who called 911 and those who assisted our officers in locating the suspect.”

 

The Suspect is Charged

Xontae Glass, 27, of Atlantic City, is being held in the Atlantic County jail while facing charges of simple assault, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.