A New Jersey State Trooper named Alexander Lark was arrested following an alleged violent incident on Thursday, March 27. Allegedly, Lark shot his own dog dead, then proceeded to act eratically at a parking lot, and then assaulted a police officer. He now faces multiple charges, with animal cruelty charges still pending.
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According to the Bergen Record, the incident took place at around 12:55 a.m. on Thursday, March 27. Police officers arrived at a condo complex in Wayne, New Jersey. Various residents in the area reported hearing a "commotion" in one of the condos, believing that they had heard a gunshot.
Police officers were leaving their township police headquarters when, all of a sudden, they noticed a man who was "acting erratically" in the front parking lot. The man, identified as State Trooper Alexander Lark, was allegedly destroying a parking lot stop sign at the time. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by the outlet, police believed that Lark was "under the influence of an unknown substance."
At that moment, police officers attempted to engage and calm Lark down. However, still "acting erratically," Lark allegedly shoved one of the officers. He was taken to the ground, restrained, and arrested immediately. They transported him to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Charged
Further investigation confirmed that State Trooper Alexander Lark was the same individual who had been reported by the Wayne condo complex residents. Upon entering his condo, they were met with a gruesome scene. Inside, they found Lark's dog. It had allegedly been shot by Lark using his Glock 43 service handgun, as per the affidavit. Moreover, the handgun was left on the floor, close to the dead dog.
Authorities charged Alexander Lark with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Wayne Detective Capt. Daniel Doly confirmed that Lark was also charged with a municipal ordinance violation after discharging his service handgun. At the moment, animal cruelty charges are still pending.
According to public records obtained from Data Universe, Alexander Lark has been employed as state police personnel since June 6, 2017.
