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RIVERDALE - Hell's Angel charged in dispute
(by Donna Rolando - Managing Editor - September 30, 2008)
RIVERDALE - Police report that a member of the Hell’s Angels was charged with aggravated assault on two Lukoil gas station employees last Wednesday, Sept. 24, as a dispute broke out over the method of paying for fuel.
Patrolmen Joe McDermott and Travis Roemmele responded to the Route 23 South gas station for a report of a fight and upon arrival found two injured employees, including a 62-year-old attendant who was knocked out, authorities said.
Through their investigation, officers determined that the gas station crew members had been punched by Christopher Menchini, 43, of Manahawkin, who was fueling his motorcycle at about 9:35 a.m.
When the argument erupted, police said Menchini first knocked out the attendant, and then when the manager came out to calm things down, he was punched in the face.
The Pompton Lakes First Aid Squad took both gas station employees to Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains. Their names are being withheld since police say Menchini is a member of the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang.
Sgt. James MacIntosh said that the dispute centered upon the method of paying for gas for Menchini’s girlfriend who was in a separate vehicle.
“She wanted to pay in cash and he wanted to use a credit card,” Sgt. MacIntosh said. When told that the transaction had already been completed with cash and could not be done over, he said Menchini became angry.
He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possessing a prohibitive weapon, namely brass knuckles, MacIntosh said.
Bail was set at $50,000 with a 10-percent option, which Menchini was able to post, according to police. A September court date was set.
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