Hackettstown cops: Couple assaulted hospital staff

HACKETTSTOWN – A couple was charged with disorderly conduct following an altercation with hospital staff Tuesday, police said.

Police responded to the Hackettstown Regional Medical Center at about 7 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a physical dispute in the emergency room.

When officers arrived they heard a female, Ashley Finkelstein, 21, of Independence, screaming and yelling at the hospital staff.

Hackettstown Sgt. Darren Tynan said Finkelstein was taken to the hospital by another agency and officers at the scene determined she had become agitated and started yelling when the ER staff told her to sit down.

As Finkelstein was being escorted back to her hospital bed, she “became combative” and stuck a doctor on the side of his head, police said.

The strike damaged his glasses, valued at $400. Finkelstein also grabbed a nurse on the arm, police said.

Finkelstein’s boyfriend, Darrien Johnson, 20, of Budd Lake, then became argumentative with ER staff after he was removed from her room, police said.

Johnson then shoved ER staff and security, police said.

Finkelstein was charged with aggravated assault on an emergency service worker, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Johnson was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct.

Both were released pending a court appearance.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6336; mizzo@dailyrecord.com