Belleville Man Stabbed In Neck With Screwdriver: Police

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A Belleville resident was recently stabbed in the neck with a screwdriver after he chased down a suspected burglar and got into a struggle with the man, police said.

According to the Belleville Police Department, a Dow Street resident heard his truck’s alarm go off around 11:39 p.m. on March 25. When he went outside to check on his vehicle, he allegedly saw an unknown man get out of his truck with a silver tool in his hand.

When the vehicle owner approached the stranger – later identified as Banel Cuevas, 34, of Newark – he took off running, police said.

The truck owner gave chase, eventually catching up to Cuevas. A struggle ensued and the vehicle owner was stabbed in the neck with a screwdriver, police said.

The injured man’s roommate came to his assistance and was able to get the screwdriver away from Cuevas. Belleville police arrived on the scene soon afterward and apprehended Cuevas behind a home on Church Terrace, authorities said.

Belleville EMS responders treated the victim at the scene, police said.

Authorities charged Cuevas with robbery, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, burglary and possession of CDS.

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File photo (not the item in the above article): Shutterstock