A Ridgefield Park man is facing charges for allegedly attacking a rabbi in Bergenfield in what investigators are calling a “random act of violence.”
Bergenfield police say that the attack happened Sunday in the area of Sussex Road. There were initial reports that this attack was the result of a biased attack. But officials said Monday that this does not appear to be the case.
“This was a random act of violence. No words were exchanged prior to the assault, and there is no indication that this attack was motivated by race, religion, or ethnicity. It was simply an act of unprovoked violence, and the suspect will be charged as such,” Bergenfield Police Chief Mustafa Rabboh wrote in a statement.
Officials say that Rabbi Avraham Wein was standing outside his home with his wife when suspect Jeffrey Zicchinella pulled up, got out of his car and attacked the rabbi. A neighbor jumped in and tackled Zicchinella, according to officials.
Zicchinella was charged with two counts of simple assault.
"Just because this did not meet the criteria of a bias crime, it met the criteria of an assault, which Mr. Zicchinella was appropriately charged with two counts,” Rabboh said at a news conference.
The attack left the community outraged and scared. Authorities increased police patrols around houses of worship in the wake of the attack.
“We will continue to increase patrols throughout all areas of Bergenfield. Residents should feel safe in their community, and we remain committed to protecting every individual with professionalism and resolve. These types of incidents do not divide us, but rather, they unite us,” Rabboh wrote in a statement.
Zicchinella is being held at the Bergen County Jail.