UPDATE: County Executive's SUV Rammed by Driver in Cedar Grove

Updated 9:50 a.m. on Dec. 19

The county executive's security guard proved his mettle this week when a Bloomfield man with a history of violent offenses repeatedly rammed his vehicle with his car.

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. was the passenger in an unmarked black sport-utility vehicle driving through Cedar Grove Thursday night when another driver suddenly began ramming the county vehicle with his car.

"We were in the wrong place at the wrong time," DiVincenzo told Patch Sunday.

DiVincenzo, who was not injured, was on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove heading to a holiday party at Il Tulipano around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15. Driving the SUV was an Essex County Sheriff's Officer on duty as a security guard for DiVincenzo.

"All of a sudden he whacks us from the back. We thought it was an accident, so we pulled over to the side of the road and he tried to ram us again," he said.

At that point, DiVincenzo said, the sheriff's officer turned on the SUV's flashing lights, exited the vehicle and drew his weapon, identifing himself as a police officer to the 59-year-old suspect. Despite being face-to-face with a police officer brandishing his gun and badge, he did not comply.

"It seemed like something was wrong with him. He was cursing, calling the officer names. Anytime someone goes out there with a badge and gun they cooperate, he didn't whatsoever," DiVincenzo said.

The suspect was so unruly, in fact, the sheriff's officer called for back-up from the Cedar Grove Police, who quickly arrived at the scene and helped place the man under arrest.

That was not the end of the excitement, however. DiVincenzo said once the man was placed in handcuffs in the back of a squad car, he promptly kicked out one of the windows of the police car.

The suspect, 59-year-old Ronald Trovato, of Bloomfield has a lengthy criminal history. DiVincenzo said the ramming incident came just two weeks after the man was released from Essex County Jail for assaulting a police officer.

DiVincenzo said he did not believe he was targeted, but said his concern was for the residents.

"I don't believe I was a target. If it wasn't me than it would have been someone else. It could have been very serious," he said.

Travato was also charged with criminal mischief in Cedar Grove, according to a police report.

DiVincenzo praised his security officer as well as the Cedar Grove Police for a job well done.

"My security guard handled it extremely well. The Cedar Grove Police responded quickly and did an excellent job."

"It all happened within 30 seconds. It shows you how things can change very quickly."