Man Charged in Assaulting Officer, Found in Florida Keys

A 22-year old Little Ferry man facing charges he struck a New Milford police officer was stopped in Key Largo early Sunday morning for riding his bike erratically and arrested after he allegedly ran from deputies, fought them and was found to possess drugs, according to a release from Florida's Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Richard Scrivani is accused of shoplifting and strong armed robbery in the CVS on Madison Avenue in Dumont on Feb. 2. After fleeing the scene, Scrivani was stopped by New Milford Police where he is alleged to have assaulted an officer before fleeing again.  

Scrivani was found at approximately 1:30 am Sunday morning in Key Largo when Sheriff Deputy Matthew O’Neill observed Scrivani riding his bike erratically in the middle of the highway, authorities said.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, O'Neill stopped Scrivani and asked what he was doing. Scrivani said he had been “hanging out” at Publix (food store) with friends; however, could not explain why he would be hanging out at a closed business and could not provide any names of people he was with. Unable to provide any identification, Scrivani told O’Neill his name was Russell Coopper and said he was from New York, autorities said.

Scrivani is reported to have fled the scene on foot when O’Neill told him he was going to do a pat down search. After calling for back up, O'Neill gave chase when Scrivani tripped and fell.

According to authorities, Scrivani was tasered after refusing to comply with O’Neill's orders to stay on the ground. However, Scrivani's coat proved the taser ineffective and he attempted to flee the scene. O’Neill tackled Scrivani and he began to fight the officer. Scrivani was subdued after back up arrived.

Officials report that a driver’s license with Scrivani's real name was found in his possession, along with a cigarette pack found to contain Oxycodone, Xanax, crack cocaine and a small metal pipe. Officials said that after performing a name search, they discovered that there was a warrant out of New Jersey for drug related charges. According to officials, Scrivani later admitted to smoking crack cocaine just 10 minutes before his encounter with the deputy.

Scrivani was charged by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, giving a false name to a law enforcement officer, possession of cocaine, drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. He was also charged with the outstanding New Jersey warrant. Authorities report that he is being held in the Monroe County Jail.

New Milford Police Chief Frank Papapietro said that the Bergen County Sheriff's Department is working on extraditing Scrivani to Bergen County where he is wanted in New Milford on charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, eluding and assault by auto. According to Papapietro, in addition to probation violations, additional charges are pending from the Dumont Police Department.