Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a police sergeant from Franklin Township, Somerset County was indicted for pulling a gun on another off-duty police officer following a high-speed chase late last year in Southampton.
Teddy Cerra, 43, of Route 206 in Southampton, was indicted on Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), Aggravated Assault (Third Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Fourth Degree).
The indictment was returned September 20 and signed by First Assistant Prosecutor Philip S. Aronow. An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court. Cerra is presently suspended without pay from the Franklin Township Police Department.
The investigation revealed that on the evening of November 1, 2017, an off-duty Lumberton police officer in his personal vehicle observed Cerra driving in an erratic manner, called a police dispatcher to report it, and then began to follow him.
Both vehicles came to a stop on the shoulder in the 300 block of Red Lion Road. Cerra then exited his vehicle, pulled a gun and pointed it at the Lumberton officer. The Lumberton officer showed Cerra his police identification, then got into his vehicle and drove away.
Cerra followed him in what became a high-speed pursuit, and was ultimately taken into custody by New Jersey State Police after striking a vehicle and a mailbox. The firearm was recovered from his waistband.
Cerra also received summonses for Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs, and Reckless Driving.
The investigation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police. Cerra is being prosecuted by BCPO Assistant Prosecutors Danny Ljungberg and Lisa Commentucci.