WEST NEW YORK AND BEYOND — 61-year-old William Rodriguez was arrested on Jan. 4 at 9:25 a.m. and charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and weapon possession for unlawful purposes, police said.
Officer Jesus Vargas responded to a call on the 600 block in West New York where a 38-year-old man reported that, after he had parked his girlfriend’s car, Rodriguez allegedly began screaming in his direction. After the victim asked, “Are you talking to me?” Rodriguez allegedly pulled a machete from his white van and began to approach the victim, who then ran into his apartment and called the police.
Two officers located a white van matching the description, and Rodriguez admitted it belonged to him, according to police. He was arrested. Police later found Rodriguez had $1,590 worth of outstanding warrants.
Machete crimes are a trend in the Union City/West New York area, and their sale in Union City stores was banned last year by an ordinance.