Crime & Safety
Somerset Man Charged In Assault of Man, 81, Over 'MAGA' Hat: SCPO
Ryan Salvagno, 19, grabbed the 81-year-old by the arm, threw him to the ground and threw his "Make America Great Again" hat down: SCPO.
SOMERSET, NJ - A Somerset man was charged with assaulting an 81-year-old Franklin Township man for wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.
Ryan M. Salvagno, 19, of Amwell Road, Somerset was charged with assault, a disorderly person’s offense and harassment, a petty disorderly person’s offense were filed in the Franklin Township Municipal Court.
The township resident was shopping at an Elizabeth Avenue supermarket on Monday, Feb. 25 at about 3:24 p.m. when he was reportedly assaulted, Robertson said.
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After purchasing his groceries and leaving the grocery store, the 81-year-old says he was confronted by a man, later identified as Salvagno, about his "Make America Great Again" hat, Robertson said.
A verbal confrontation began and then when the alleged victim tried to leave the area, Salvagno grab the man's hat and the two struggled over it, according to the report.
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Salvagno then grabbed the 81-year-old by the arm and threw him to the ground, tipping over his cart of groceries and throwing the hat to the side, Robertson said.
When Franklin Police arrived on scene they found the 81-year old suffering from minor injuries.
Salvagno is scheduled for arraignment on March 14.
Anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at
908-231-7100, or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via
the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including
videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or at www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
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