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The incident happened around 5:46 p.m. near Congregation Keter Torah at 600 Roemer Avenue, Teaneck Police Chief Andrew R. McGurr said in a release.
Video of the protest was shared by Jewish Breaking News on Instagram.
According to police, a group of about 40 demonstrators gathered in response to a private event at the synagogue that showcased real estate in Israel. They began their march in River Edge and walked to Continental Park, which sits across the street from Keter Torah.
At the same time, about 250 counter-protesters assembled on the grounds of the synagogue, Chief McGurr said.
Police officers were stationed between the two groups. That’s when they saw one of the demonstrators, 25-year-old Zachary Riccardo of Little Neck, NY, lean forward and spit into a vehicle driving west on Roemer Avenue, police said.
“The operator of the vehicle was honking the horn of their vehicle and expressing support for the counter protestors when the incident occurred and it appeared as though they were hit with the expectorant,” the chief said, declining to say which side Riccardo was on.
The vehicle did not stop, but Riccardo was taken into custody immediately and brought to the Teaneck Police Department.
Riccardo was charged with simple assault and bias intimidation, police said. He was served with a summons and released pending a court appearance in Bergen Central Judicial Processing Court.
“All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” Chief McGurr said.
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