Secaucus Police have arrested and charged a man with bias intimidation after he allegedly yelled racist slurs at an Asian couple earlier in the month, according to Chief Dennis Miller. Alfred Viggiano, 69, was arrested on August 6.
Racist onslaught in Secaucus
On August 1 at 7:51 p.m., police responded to the area of 200 Riverside Station Boulevard on a report of a person driving around the area yelling racial slurs out of his vehicle, Miller said. This is located in the Xchange part of Secaucus, a high-density residential area with a large Asian American population.
Upon arrival, police spoke with a male witness to the interaction outside of 200 Riverside Station Boulevard. According to Miller, the witness stated that he saw a male in black car pull up to an Asian couple, a man and woman walking outside nearby the building.
The witness said the male in the car, later identified as Viggiano, yelled “gook” at the Asian couple before speeding away. The witness said he yelled to Viggiano to slow down, and Viggiano yelled back at him, “Go back to your country.”
The witness told police that Viggaino pulled up to them, rolled down his window and held up a small sign that read, “F**k you.” Viggiano waited a moment and yelled, “You, f**k you,” while pointing at the couple.
According to Miller, Viggiano then yelled, “Take off your mask and go back to your country.” Viggiano then sped away, the witness told police.
On August 6 at 12:58 p.m., in furtherance of an investigation conducted by the Secaucus Police Detective Division in regards to the bias incident, the police went to Green Valley Court and arrested Viggiano for bias intimidation. He was issued a complaint warrant and was transported to the Hudson County Jail.
Culprit is a repeat offender
This is not Viggiano’s first run in with the law this year.
On March 22 at 4:28 p.m., Secaucus Police responded to Green Valley Court on a report of a theft. During the investigation, the police arrested Viggiano for allegedly receiving stolen property. He was served a complaint summons and was released from police custody.
Additionally, Viggiano had multiple run-ins with the Secaucus Police Department in 2021.
On September 17, 2021 at 1 p.m., in response to a suspicious incident that occurred at Green Valley Court on September 16, police went to Green Valley Court and arrested Viggiano for unlawful possession of weapons, specifically a hammer, and for violation of the regulatory provisions relating to permits to purchase firearms. He was issued his complaint warrant and was subsequently transported to the Hudson County Jail.
Prior to that, on August 8, 2021 at 3:19 p.m., Secaucus police responded to the area of Buchmuller Park located at 150 Plaza Centre Road on a report of a male trespassing on the property. During the investigation, the police arrested Viggiano of Secaucus for defiant trespass, resisting arrest, and resisting arrest by flight. He was issued a complaint summons and was released from police custody.
And on January 14, 2021 at 5:37 p.m., Secaucus police responded to the parking lot of Hudson Wines located at 865 Roosevelt Avenue on a report of a male who had threatened an employee with a knife. During the investigation, the police arrested Viggiano for unlawful possession of a weapon, specifically a small handled axe; unlawful possession of a weapon, specifically a pocket knife; possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose; terroristic threats; and simple assault.
On the same date, at 5:27 p.m., Secaucus police responded to Green Valley Court on a report of harassment. An investigation was conducted and Viggiano was further charged with bias intimidation and harassment. He was served a complaint warrant for both incidents and was subsequently transported to the Hudson County Jail.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
