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North Bergen motorcyclist arrested in Ridgefield road-rage beating

UPDATE: A motorcyclist who Ridgefield police said beat a driver, then joined another in smashing the victim’s van in a road rage incident that began at an infamous merge on eastbound Route 46 posted $35,000 bail and was released after being arrested by North Bergen police yesterday.

Photo Credit: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Ridgefield detectives identified Christian Guardiola, a 24-year-old fitness trainer from 84th Street in North Bergen, as their suspect following Monday’s incident, which sent a 58-year-old van driver to the hospital.

Fairview police said they arrested Guardiola three years ago after they found hash, scales and plastic bags used to sell the drug in his car, along with various prescription. The disposition of that case couldn’t immediately be determined.

In Monday’s incident, the victim told police that he was merging into the Grand Avenue exit lane in stop-and-go traffic around 5:20 p.m. when the motorcycle riders yelled at him for moving in front of them, Ridgefield Police Capt. Richard Besser told CLIFFVIEW PILOT at the time.

One of the motorcycle riders smashed the side mirror of the van and sped off southbound on Grand Avenue, Besser said.

The victim followed in his van, then boxed the rider in when he tried ducking into a parking lot, the captain said.

The man told police he got out of his van in an effort to keep the rider there until police could arrive when Guardiola rider pulled up, grabbed him by the throat and threw him down.

“He then punched the victim in the face, dragged him across the ground, and continued to strike him,” Besser said.

For good measure, Guardiola ripped both driver and passenger side mirrors of the van and broke out the passenger side front window, the victim said.

After threatening bystanders who tried to intervene, he, a female passenger and the other motorcycle rider took off south on Broad Avenue, the van driver told police.

The victim sustained a swollen face and scrapes on his back from being dragged, the captain said. He also complained of wrist pain.

According to the victim, the second rider never took off his helmet.

The woman wasn’t involved, Besser said.

Meanwhile, police continued their search for the other rider — described as about 5-foot-9, with hair that hung down his neck.

After Guardiola was identified, Ridgefield detectives drew up a warrant charging him with aggravated assault, hindering, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

They then forwarded it on the their North Bergen colleagues.

MUGSHOT: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

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