FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Wednesday, August 2, 2023

MAN CHARGED FOLLOWING ENCOUNTER WITH POLICE IN WEEHAWKEN

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit has charged a 20-year-old man following an encounter with law enforcement in Weehawken on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

Ricky Rivera, of Paterson, is charged with Aggravated Assault (Attempt to Cause Serious Bodily Injury) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1); Eluding in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2b; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (vehicle) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (vehicle) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; and Receiving Stolen Property (vehicle) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a. Rivera is currently being detained at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.

At approximately 5 a.m., members of the Weehawken Police Department were patrolling a neighborhood recently affected by a number of auto thefts. Officers observed a suspicious vehicle parked in a driveway on Regency Place. While attempting to approach the vehicle, one male – later identified as Rivera – fled the scene in the vehicle, striking an Officer who was on foot. A second Officer discharged his weapon. A short time later, Rivera crashed the vehicle into an occupied Port Authority Police Department vehicle and continued a short distance before coming to a final stop. Rivera was found to have an apparent gunshot wound and was treated at Jersey City Medical Center. The Officer struck received medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined the vehicle Rivera was operating had been reported stolen out of West New York on Friday, July 29, 2023.

In accordance with guidelines by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and NJOAG were notified. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team and Major Crimes Unit are actively investigating this matter. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)