Cops: Naked Toms River Man Found Sleeping in Car Fought With Officers

A man who police say was sleeping naked in another person's car assaulted officers after being woken up Sunday morning.

Officers went to Coolidge Avenue at about 8 a.m. Sunday after a resident called and reported a naked man sleeping in a vehicle belonging to the caller, said Toms River Police Capt. Steven R. Henry.

Officers Richard Karkovice and Samantha Sutter were first at the scene and found a man later identified as township resident Michael Harris, 32, sleeping naked in the passenger seat of the vehicle, Henry said,

"Harris eventually awoke and upon seeing the officers told the officers to leave him alone," said Henry.

Karkovice advised Harris that the vehicle was not his and ordered him to get out, but Harris then attacked Karkovice, "repeatedly striking and kicking him," said Henry.

Harris was eventually removed from the vehicle by both officers and quickly subdued, but he continued to resist after being handcuffed by thrashing about and attempting to kick the officer, said Henry. Harris, when he was placed in the back seat of a police vehicle, tried to kick out its windows, he added.

Harris was ultimately taken to police headquarters where he was charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Karkovice received minor injuries to his arms and hands during the incident and was treated and released at Community Medical Center.

Harris was lodged in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.