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Bergen fugitive arrested in Florida Keys — for reckless biking

YOU READ IT  HERE FIRST: A Little Ferry man accused of clipping a New Milford officer with his car after a strong-armed robbery in Dumont was arrested in Key Largo — for erratic bike riding.

Photo Credit: NEW MILFORD PD

Richard Scrivani was weaving across lanes in the middle of a highway with no lights on around 1:20 a.m. today when a Monroe County sheriff’s deputy stopped him, authorities in Florida said.

Scrivani was “vague” and told the officer he’d been “hanging out” at Publix with friends — which they said was closed. When pressed, he couldn’t identify any of those friends, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said.

Scrivani also told them his name was Russell Cooper, that he was from New York and that he wasn’t carrying any ID, deputies said.

The officer said he would have to pat him down, and Scrivani took off on foot. As the officer was calling for backups, Scrivani tripped and fell, the sheriff’s office said.

He got up and the officer tried  zapping him with a taser, but Scrivani’s jacket apparently blocked the jolt. He began running again, the sheriff’s office said, but the deputy tackled him. The two were fighting when backups arrived and helped subdue Scrivani, authorities said.

They said they found him carrying his New Jersey driver’s license, with his real name, as well as a cigarette pack filled Oxycodone, Xanax, crack cocaine and a small metal pipe. A quick check turned up the warrant out of New Jersey in connection with an incident two weeks ago that police said began with a theft at the Madison Avenue CVS in Dumont.

Moments after the Feb. 2 theft, a black Audi matching a broadcast description passed New Milford Officer Bryan Mone on River Road.

Mone pulled the car over at Cedar Road, New Milford Police Chief Frank Papapietro said.

Seeing Scrivani reach into the glove compartment, Mone ordered him to show his hands and get out of the car, the chief said.

Scrivani refused, and the officer tried opening the door, which was locked, Papapietro said.

He ordered the driver to open it, which he did, the chief said.

At that point, backup Officer Richard Giacobone, Jr. arrived.

Scrivani, 22, “became combative,” then got back into the car and hit the gas, hitting Giacabone’s right arm, the chief said.

Sgt. Daniel LaMorges was arriving and tried following the car but lost sight of it. He opted not to pursue, given the slick road condition, Papapietro said.

Giacobone was treated at Holy Name Medical Center and returned to full duty, the chief said.

Meanwhile, a search began for Scrivani, who is charged here with:

· Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer

· Resisting Arrest

· Eluding

· Assault by Auto

Scrivani, who sheriff’s deputies in Key Largo said admitted smoking crack before their run-in, is charged there 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.

Scrivani, whose father — a convicted felon — lives in Florida, was being held on those charges and a New Jersey detainer.

Which jurisdiction will prosecute him first will be determined.

ABOVE (left): Mugshot courtesy NEW MILFORD PD

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