Westwood Robbery Suspect Bit Gas Station Attendant, Fled: Police

WESTWOOD, NJ — A man was charged with robbery and aggravated assault after police searched for him following a failed robbery in the borough Thursday.

David Musciotto, 31, of Park Ridge was riding a bicycle on Broadway near the Petro Two gas station when Officer Tristan Ganter arrested him at about 11 a.m., said Detective Sgt. Rod Fortunat, the department's public information officer.

Musciotto allegedly demanded money from one of the gas station attendants, who refused to give it to him, Fortunat said. Another attendant also refused to give him money the two fought, Fortunat said.

Musciotto bit the second attendant's hand during the fight and fled into the woods, the sergeant said.

Westwood police set up a perimeter, with help from Hillsdale, River Vale, Woodcliff Lake and Park Ridge officers, to try and find Musciotto, but they could not, Fortunat said.

Westwood detectives determined that Musciotto was at an acquaintance's Westwood home and a warrant was issued for his arrest, police said.

A Westwood police officer saw Musciotto riding his bike and arrested him.

Musciotto has been remanded to the bergen County. He is scheduled to appear in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court Jan. 5, police said.

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Photo: David Musciotto, 31, of Park Ridge/Westwood Police Department