A Bayonne man screamed death threats at police officers after getting caught stealing a box truck on Tuesday evening, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Joseph Matusaitis, 55, of Bayonne, was charged with motor vehicle theft, resisting arrest, and terroristic threats, according to Police Capt. Eric Amato.
Matusaitis was taken into custody at about 8:47 p.m. on Tuesday from the area of 45th Street and Avenue E. Officers in the area observed a double-parked box truck idling near the intersection of East 45th Street and Avenue E.
As the officers began to investigate, they were met by two parties involved in a verbal altercation, one of whom was identified as Matusaitis.
As the officers attempted to speak with them, Matusaitis immediately became agitated and uncooperative, continuously shouting obscenities at the officers.
As they tried to calm Matusaitis and conduct their investigation, another officer began speaking with the other individual involved.
This individual advised the officer that he had left the box truck running outside of his residence on East 47th Street and while he was standing near it, he observed Matusaitis enter the vehicle and drive away with it. T
he now victim immediately entered his other vehicle and intercepted his box truck in the area of East 45th Street and Avenue E.
There, he was able to force the truck to stop and immediately removed Matusaitis from the driver seat. It was at this time that the officers arrived on scene.
As the investigation proceeded, Matusaitis remained very uncooperative and belligerent, continuously shouting threats of violence and death at the officers.
The investigation resulted in Matusaitis being charged with the theft of the motor vehicle and threats, as well as resisting arrest by refusing to be handcuffed, police said.
