Police arrest East Hanover contractor in day laborer assault case

(05/09/06) EAST HANOVER ? Police have arrested an East Hanover contractor and accused him of beating three day laborers in January.
According to police, Joseph Zecca had suspicions the three workers were stealing from him. Investigators say he took the individuals to a location under the pretense of a job. However, police say Zecca instead ordered four other men to beat, threaten and rob the day laborers.
Zecca now faces charges of kidnapping, robbery, criminal restraint and conspiracy. Investigators say Zecca wasn?t arrested sooner because the day laborers didn?t come forward with their stories right away. In addition, prosecutors say they conducted a lengthy investigation in order to compile enough evidence against the contractor.