Argument Over Food Led To Broken Bottle Attack: Montclair Police

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair police charged a 74-year-old man with aggravated assault after he allegedly hit another person with a glass bottle during a fight earlier this month, authorities said.

According to the Montclair Police Department, officers responded to the area of Church Street and South Park Street on Oct. 12 after getting a report about two men fighting.

A preliminary investigation suggests the argument was over food and began outside The Salvation Army building, authorities said.

“During the course of the altercation, one of the subjects took possession of a glass bottle and broke it,” police said in a statement. “The subject then used the bottle to strike the victim in the back of his neck, causing a deep laceration.”

The victim was treated at University Hospital in Newark and released.

Gerald Moore, 74, of Montclair, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon (bottle), and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, authorities said.

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Montclair Facebook page. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com.