A Paterson man has been charged with striking a Weehawken police officer with a stolen car before being shot by a second officer, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Ricky Rivera, 20, of Paterson, is charged with aggravated assault (attempt to cause serious bodily injury), eluding, unlawful possession of a weapon (vehicle), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and receiving stolen property, Suarez said in a statement.
Rivera is currently being detained at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
At approximately 5 a.m. yesterday, members of the Weehawken Police Department were patrolling a neighborhood recently affected by a number of auto thefts. Officers observed a suspicious vehicle parked in a driveway on Regency Place.
While attempting to approach the vehicle, one male – later identified as Rivera – fled the scene in the vehicle, striking an officer who was on foot. A second officer discharged his service weapon.
A short time later, Rivera crashed the vehicle into an occupied Port Authority Police Department vehicle and continued a short distance before coming to a final stop.
Rivera was found to have an apparent gunshot wound and was treated at Jersey City Medical Center. The officer struck received medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined the vehicle Rivera was operating had been reported stolen out of West New York on Friday, July 29th.
In accordance with guidelines by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and NJOAG were notified. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team and Major Crimes Unit are actively investigating this matter.
