5 Metuchen Police Officers Receive Valor Award

METUCHEN, NJ – Five Metuchen Police Officers received the 2021 Valor Award at the annual award ceremony of the 200 Club Of Middlesex County on Wednesday.

Lt. Robert Belluscio, Sgt. Kenneth Bauer, Cpl. Chris Fiore, Ptl. Michael Puetz and Ptl. Nicholas Zirpoli were honored for their role in apprehending five suspects who assaulted an off-duty officer and stole his weapon.

On December 21, 2021, Metuchen Police received a 911 call reporting a brawl by the train station on Main Street.

Belluscio was working an extra-duty job and was first on the scene. He found a man with multiple injuries to his face and head, and who was clearly assaulted, on the side of the road.

The victim identified himself as an off-duty law enforcement officer who had just been jumped by five suspects and his gun was taken from him. The victim also pointed at two of the suspects fleeing the scene.

Belluscio yelled for the suspects to stop, but they refused. He then yelled to people on the sidewalk to help him stop the suspects that were running. A civilian, later identified as Anthony Lombardi, was able to knock one of the suspects to the ground and began struggling with him while a second suspect tried helping the first. Belluscio was able to join in the struggle and place both suspects under arrest.

Meanwhile, Bauer, Fiore, Puetz and Zirpoli began searching for the other three suspects with assistance from the Edison Police Department.

Asa result, all additional suspects were located and arrested at different locations, including the suspect who took the off-duty officer’s gun.

Surveillance footage showed the victim was punched, kicked, stomped and struck with an unknown object by the suspects. All five men were indicted for attempted murder, robbery and numerous other charges.

The 200 Club of Middlesex County raises awareness for officers, and provides financial assistance and comfort to families of law enforcement and public safety officials who are killed in the line of duty.

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