Two Bayonne men are accused of threatening to kill a 19-year-old man who they believed broke the front windows of a barbershop one of them owned, police said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Mario Acosta, 33, and Matthew Berrios, 31, both of Bayonne, were charged with making terroristic threats and criminal mischief yesterday, according to Police Lt. Eric Amato.
Acosta and Berrios were taken into custody around 2:15 p.m. on Sunday from the area of East 16th Street.
Officers responded to the residence of the 56-year-old female victim and the 19-year-old male victim on West 45th Street on a report of an assault in progress, possibly involving a handgun.
Upon arrival, the officers met with the female victim who reported that two men, later identified as Acosta and Berrios, whom she is familiar with, arrived at her home and
demanded to speak with the 19-year-old victim.
Acosta and Berrios also told the female victim that they believed the 19-year-old victim was the one who broke the front windows of Acosta’s barber shop, the Cut It Out Barber Shop located on 235 Broadway on Saturday, causing $1,500 in damage, officials said.
The duo also threatened to kill the male victim if he did not pay for the damage. During the confrontation, the female victim reported that she observed Berrios reach for his waistband and display a handgun, police said.
Before fleeing the scene, both actors broke off both side view mirrors of the male victim’s car and removed his temporary license plate. It should be noted, the male victim never exited the home and was told of the threats by the female victim, authorities said.
Officers then responded to East 16th Street, knowing that Acosta resided there, and located both actors sitting on Acosta’s porch.
During their investigation, both actors were positively identified as the actors of the
incident on West 45th Street and placed into custody. No handgun was recovered during the course of the investigation, officials said.
