MIDDLETOWN – Township police have charged a township man with attempted murder of a police officer and a number of related charges stemming from an incident that took place on Sunday, March 25 at approximately 11:21 a.m.
Middletown police were attempting to arrest Gregory Canova, 37, Stephenville Blvd, who was wanted by the Sea Girt and Wall Township Police Departments on charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, when Canova struck Middletown Police Officer Daniel Murdoch with his vehicle and dragged him a short distance.
Middletown Township Police Sergeant Charles Terefenko located Canova, who then rammed Terefenko’s patrol car. Canova was apprehended when his vehicle crashed on Courtney Way in Middletown.
Canova was charged by the Middletown Police Department with attempted murder of a police officer, two counts of aggravated assault on police officers, eluding police, resisting arrest, two counts of criminal mischief, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was also charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and violation of a court order by the Sea Girt Police Department and two counts of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child by the Wall Township Police Department.
Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Leslie Justus ordered Canova held on $882,500 bail with no 10 percent payment for release permitted.
Middletown Police Officers Murdoch and Terefenko were treated at Riverview Medical Center for injuries sustained during t
