Defaced flag leads to additional charges
After being arrested last month for allegedly spray-painting images on public and private property throughout the area, Louis Schiavello, 22, of Bayonne faced additional charges in connection with defacing an America flag over Don Ahern Veterans Stadium prior to Labor Day.
Det. Police Captain Walter Rogers said the alleged act may have been in retaliation for the previous arrest, since the flag contained obscene references to the police.
Rogers said in addition to 11 charges for allegedly spray painting the image of the fictional movie character Ron Burgundy on locations around the city, Schiavello is being charged with desecration of a flag for the part he allegedly played in removing the flag from the stadium and spray painting it, prior to returning it to the stadium.
The flag also had the symbol of anarchy painted over the stars area.
Police said Schiavello was one of five Bayonne men arrested in the incident as the result of a criminal investigation by the Bayonne Detective Bureau.
According to the police report, five individuals allegedly concocted the scheme after allegedly consuming alcohol at Schiavello’s home. This may have started at a joke, but Rogers said the five men allegedly went to the stadium, removed the flag, and brought it back to Schiavello’s house where he allegedly spray painted it before returning it.
Schiavello is charged with burglary, theft, criminal mischief, desecration of a venerated object, and conspiracy. He was sent to Hudson County Correction Facility in Kearny, facing a $50,000 bail.
Danny Castellano, 20, Kenny Hemple, 20, Raymond Squillante, 18, and Michael Desalvo 18, all of Bayonne, face the same charges.
Castellano was also charged with allegedly giving false information to the police.
Suspect arrested in robbery that left an 82-year-old man unconscious
Charles Lee, 26, of Bayonne was charged with robbery, burglary, and endangering an injured victim for an incident that occurred on Saturday, Aug. 18 at about 7 p.m.
An 82-year-old man told police that he had heard a noise coming from a room in his apartment. When he went to see what it was, he found Lee allegedly sitting on his bed going through the elderly man’s possessions.
Lee, according to the police report, told the victim that he was a utility worker. When the man ordered Lee to leave, Lee allegedly struck the man, knocking him unconscious, and fled the scene.
The endangering an injured person charge is the result of Lee’s alleged failure to notify anyone of the injured man.
When police responded to a call, they found the man “dazed and confused.” He was brought to Bayonne Medical Center where he received stitches for a laceration above his eye and a large bruise on his left cheek.
The police report said cash, a bank card, and jewelry were taken during the robbery.
Bayonne detectives determined that Lee allegedly had ties to the area of the alleged crime and issued an arrest warrant on Aug. 19 based on information that allegedly tied him to the crime.
After several days searching for Lee, detectives set up surveillance outside a Bostwick Avenue home in Jersey City where Lee once lived. The report said they saw a vehicle with a Bayonne registration pull up and pick up a man that fit Lee’s description. Following the vehicle back into Bayonne, the detectives conducted a motor-vehicle stop near West 52nd Street, and arrested Lee.
The police said they were able to recover some of the stolen items, but not several pieces of jewelry with sentimental value to the victim.
Lee was sent to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny on $250,000 bail.
“This was a despicable crime against one of our senior citizens,” said Det. Capt. Walter Rogers. “The victim unfortunately will carry these scars for the rest of his life. I’m very proud of our detectives who were able to put together the pieces in such a timely fashion that led to the arrest of this violent individual.”