Off-duty policeman assaulted
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - A 20-year-old Hamiltonmanwas chargedwith aggravated assault after he attacked an off-duty Woodbridge police officer with a knife on Route 130 on Feb. 20, police said.

The incident began around 10:30 p.m. Suspect Timothy Krisza and Officer Keith Blackston, 41, were driving south on Route 130.Krisza, believing Blackston had cut him off, dashed in front of Blackston, not letting him pass.

"At a stop light, Blackston asked, 'Hey, what's happening here?'" South Brunswick Detective James Ryan said. "Krisza then stepped out with a knife."

Blackson eventually wrestled Krisza to the ground. Blackston reported only aminor injury during the struggle.

Krisza's 3-inch folding knife was recovered at the scene. One witness who was passing by at the time of the incident verified much of what Blackston reported.

Krisza was freed after posting his $20,000 bail.

The case is being investigated by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office as a racial crime. Ryan said racial slurs were used against Blackston, who is black.

Krisza also got in trouble in North Brunswick inDecember for driving between two cars that were in lanes next to each other. One of the cars he passed was an offduty North Brunswick police officer.