Toms River cop hit-run suspect charged with attempted murder

The suspect who allegedly ran down and dragged a Toms River patrolman with a car Tuesday, while fleeing an investigation, apparently is an undocumented alien  and former deportee, and will be charged with attempted murder, according to new information from township police.

Diaz is also charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.

An alleged accomplice, accused of driving Diaz from the spot where he abandoned the car, faces a raft of counts as well. A woman described as a person has yet to be located.

Giomar Diaz, 33, with a most recent address in the Bronx, New York, is being held on $500,000 bail for the local charge, and on a no-bail detainer issued by the federal department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

After a night of sorting out multiple identities, investigators determined that Diaz had previously faced criminal charges in the US, possibly involving weapons and drugs, and had been deported to the Dominican Republic. Police said they uncovered an active warrant for Diaz's arrest, issued in New York City.

Alvin A. Hernandez Almanzar, 28, of Camden, is charged with hindering Diaz's apprehension, driving with a revoked license, and having an expired license.

The incident occurred in the parking lot outside the Toms River branch of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) on Hooper Avenue. Investigators said that Diaz had tried to submit false identification and documents in an attempt to get addtional government documents not in his given name.

Officer Daniel Brennan, a 15-year veteran of the force, questioned Diaz in the lot, when Diaz suddenly leaped into a Honda, slammed it into reverse with the driver's door open, wedged Brennan between the door and the front seat, and dragged him an estimated 25 yards.

The woman wanted for questioning has not yet been identified. Detective Randy Petrick heads the investigation, 732-349-0150, extension 1235.