Mahwah Police Charge 3 Following Ramapo College Knife Fight Sunday: Police

MAHWAH, N.J. — An argument over cigarette smoking outside a Ramapo College apartment turned into a knife fight involving three men and ended with all of them being charged with assault, police said.

Nicholas Caramica, 22, of Wyckoff and a student at the college, confronted Simon Petrov and Alexander Irasek about them smoking outside his Redwood apartment dorm because the smoke was going into the apartment, said Chief James N. Batelli.

The three men spoke and Caramica left; he came back an hour later and Petrov and Irasek were still outside smoking, police said.

According to witnesses, the argument escalated and Caramica brandished a knife and exchanged words with Petrov and Irasek, who followed him into the dorm, the chief said. The knife was part of a Leatherman multi-tool, police said.

More words were exchanged and the altercation became “physical and violent,” Batelli said.

Students tried separating the men until college security and Mahwah police arrived, authorities said.

Caramica was injured on his face and hand. Petrov was cut on his upper and lower arm. Medical attention was administered at the scene, police said.

As a result of the investigation, Caramica, Petrov, and Alexander Irasek, all 22, were charged, Batelli said. Caramica was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

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Photo: Nicholas Caramica, 22, of Wyckoff — Mahwah Police Department