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Police: Bystander comes to aid of Deptford officer put in chokehold by man during mall struggle
DEPTFORD, N.J. - A man put a police officer in a chokehold before a bystander came to his aid during a struggle at a New Jersey mall, police said.Deptford Township police said officers were sent to the Deptford Mall just after 7:30 p.m. Friday on a report of a disorderly man allegedly harassing patrons.A uniformed officer found the man on the second floor of the mall and asked him to leave multiple times but he refused to do so and "allegedly became confrontational," eventually taking a fighting stance, police said.As the officer tried to arrest him on defiant trespass and disorderly conduct charges, a struggle ensued during which the man was able to put a chokehold on the officer, "effectively cutting off" his blood and oxygen supply, police said.During the struggle, a bystander interceded and helped the officer escape the chokehold and get the man into handcuffs, police said.