Springfield Police Assist in Scotch Plains Stabbing Arrest

Scotch Plains police arrested a Somerset man last Saturday after connecting him to the stabbing of a man who was found lying in the road by Route 22. The accused was first pulled over by Springfield police. 

Jody Cooley, 36, was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Scotch Plains police Lieutenant. Brian Donnelly told Patch that at approximately 2:20 a.m. on Saturday, an officer on routine patrol found a 22-year-old man lying in the street at the intersection of Route 22 East and Westfield Road. The victim, a Bridgewater resident, was semi-conscious and was losing blood from multiple stab wounds to his chest, stomach and arms.

Before losing consciousness, the officer was able to obtain the defendant's vehicle information. The Scotch Plains Rescue Squad took the victim to University Hospital where he is listed in serious, but stable, condition.

Springfield police stopped Cooley and observed blood inside his vehicle. They detained him until the Scotch Plains police detective bureau were able to respond to take custody of him and his vehicle. The detective bureau processed the crime scene at Route 22 and Westfield Road. They also processed Cooley's vehicle.

Cooley is being held at the Union County Jail on $80,000 cash bail.