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Kevin Galladay, 23 (above, left), had joined fellow Kearny resident Brandon C. Ryan in assaulting the driver in Carlstadt -- and then kicking and denting his door -- after sharing a ride with others from Mother’s Ale House in Wayne the night of May 12, Police Chief Thomas Nielsen said.
Both then "turned around and returned after Ryan observed the driver attempting to use his cell phone to call 911," Nielsen said. "Both defendants again assaulted the driver and took the driver’s cell phone and New York issued driver’s license before fleeing the area for good."
The injured driver was able to drive to a 7-Eleven in Wood-Ridge and notify authorities, the chief said.
Ryan, 22, was arrested after screen grabs from the car's surveillance video were posted on Daily Voice and on the Carlstadt police Facebook page, Nielsen said.
"Numerous tips from citizens were soon after received," he said, "and all but one of those tips indicated Ryan as the person pictured in the image," the chief said.
After identifying Ryan, detectives contacted him by phone and arranged for him to surrender.
When he didn't show up, Cleary said, a warrant was issued and Kearny police took him into custody on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, endangering an injured victim, hindering, theft and criminal mischief.
A judge ordered him released after less than a day, however, under New Jersey's 2017 bail reform law.
"Subsequent investigation and interviews revealed the identity of Galladay and a warrant was issued for his arrest on June 1," Nielsen said.
Authorities picked him up on Tuesday, the chief said.
"The Carlstadt Police Department would like to thank Jerry DeMarco of Daily Voice for posting Ryan’s image and request to identify him, as well as those citizens who provided much need information for identifying Ryan," he said.
The chief also thanked Kearny police for helping to catch Ryan and Galladay.
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