Montclair Man Chases, Hits Teen With Car After Bike Theft: Police

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A Montclair man was charged with assault last week after he allegedly chased down a 17-year-old juvenile and hit him with his car on purpose. The incident started when the teen stole his son’s bike, police said.

According to the Montclair Police Department, patrol units responded to Maple Avenue on Thursday after getting a report about a disturbance in the area.

Victor Riofrio-Montenegro, 35, told officers that a teen stole his juvenile son’s bicycle from the front of his home. Riofrio-Montenegro said he spotted the theft as he was unloading his car on Mission Street. At that point – while his wife chased the teen on foot – Riofrio-Montenegro and his son followed in their car, police said.

At some point during the chase, Riofrio-Montenegro’s wife fell and injured her leg, police said.

Eventually, the teen was stopped and confronted outside of Glenfield Middle School, and a physical altercation began. During the argument, the juvenile suspect allegedly kicked Riofrio-Montenegro’s vehicle and struck his son in the face before fleeing on foot westbound, police said.

Responding patrol officers located the juvenile suspect on Mission Street, who appeared injured. Further investigation showed that Riofrio-Montenegro purposely struck the fleeing teen with his vehicle as he was attempting to escape on Maple Avenue, authorities said.

Emergency responders transported the juvenile suspect and Riofrio-Montenegro’s wife and son to Mountainside Hospital. Each had “minor injuries,” police said.

Authorities charged Riofrio-Montenegro with aggravated assault, assault by auto, possession of a weapon (vehicle), and possession of a weapon (vehicle) for an unlawful purpose.

Police charged the 17-year-old suspect with theft.

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