Newark man repeatedly punched by another man in parking spot dispute, police day
NEWARK (WABC) -- Police are searching for the man who allegedly sucker punched another man over a parking spot in Newark and broke his jaw.
Police said it happened on Mt. Prospect Avenue on Monday, just after 4 p.m.
"The guy wanted his spot, he said I'm already parked here. So the guy got aggressive so my little brother parked across the street when he came this way, the guy got out of his car and when he was here he hit him from behind, and broke his jaw," Jose Cabrera, the victim's brother said.
Police said the driver of a Black Charger was upset after 37-year-old Angelo Lugardo parked his car and demanded the on-street parking spot. Lugardo ignored him and walked across the street to head to his mother's apartment.
They got into a dispute, and it escalated when Lugardo was punched in the face repeatedly.
"I cry all the time. I can't see him like that," his mother said.
Lugardo's jaw was broken in two places and he is in stable condition in the hospital.
His family waited as he underwent surgery Thursday afternoon, very angry and upset that a stranger would attack him.
"He's a cool guy he wouldn't hurt a fly. He was coming home from work he had a big backpack on he had a bag full of eggs that he was going to give her," Cabrera said.
Police are trying to find evidence that might help identify the attacker.
But the family is worried about violence in the neighborhood.
"My nephew had just got jumped right here. Coming home to come see her these places are known for that, very common for violence around here," Cabrera said.
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