Police: 81-Year-Old Man Assaulted Over ‘MAGA’ Hat (Updated)

Update: 19-year-old Ryan M. Salvagno has been charged with assault, a disorderly person’s offense and harassment, a petty disorderly person’s offense after he allegedly tried to take a “Make America Great Again” cap from an 81-year-old man, assaulting him in the process.

A release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office said that Salvagno followed the victim out of Shop Rite on Elizabeth Avenue and tried to grab his hat after a brief verbal confrontation.

Original Story: Police are investigating the assault Feb. 25 of an 81-year-old township man, who said he was confronted over his red “Make America Great Again” hat.

The man, who was not identified, was shopping at an Elizabeth Avenue supermarket when the assault occurred, according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

The victim sustained minor injuries and declined medical attention, according to the release.

Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department are actively investigating the incident, according to the release.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or at www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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