Motorcyclists Drag Man From Car, Assault Him, Steal Cellphone In Hunterdon County: Cops

CLINTON, NJ — Authorities are asking the public for help to find a group of motorcyclists who dragged a man from his car, assaulted him, and stole his cellphone, announced Clinton Township Police Chief Thomas A. DeRosa.

Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of $1,500 for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible.

On Saturday, Sept. 3 at around 10:12 a.m., an assault in progress on Cokesbury Road was reported to the police.

The assault happened after a near motor vehicle crash between a car and multiple motorcyclists, said DeRosa.

Police were told a group of motorcyclists had dragged the victim, a 62-year-old man, from his vehicle, assaulted him, and stole his cellphone, said DeRosa.

Patrolman William Musacchio saw the motorcycles leaving the scene and tried to pull them over on Cokesbury Road in his fully marked patrol car.

The motorcycles did not stop and fled at a high rate of speed on Route 22 West, said DeRosa.

Sgt. Sean Ross saw the motorcycles, about 13 in total, as they approached Petticoat Lane still driving west on Route 22.

Ross chased the motorcycles onto Route 78 West, in his fully marked patrol unit, until they exited onto Route 173, Exit 11, in Union Township. At this point, Ross was able to get a partial New York registration along with the specific make and model of the motorcycle, said DeRosa.

Ross chose to stop the chase to investigate the information further. Pending charges may include robbery, aggravated assault, and eluding.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010, going online at CrimeStoppersHunterdon.com, or through the free “P3 Tips” smartphone app. All tips are anonymous and kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.