Teen Set Up, Stripped, Beaten And Robbed In Bergen County: Police

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ — A Saddle Brook teenager was set up, ambushed, stripped and robbed of $1,200 by two assailants early Friday morning, according to authorities.

The victim 19-year-old victim was staying at the Hilton Hotel. He walked out to meet an acquaintance, Anthony Cuccia, 23, who set him up to be ambushed by two other men, at around 1:44 a.m., according to police.

"[Cuccia] knew the victim had a large sum of money in him," said Detective Lieutenant Michael Colaneri, with the Hasbrouck Heights Police.

As the victim was walking back to the hotel, he was beaten by a pair of Hasbrouck Heights residents, Jasper Singh, 20 and Ryan Matthew Moots, 21, police said. Singh and Moots did not know the victim, but they stole his money, shoes and clothes, leaving him in his underwear, police said.

"[The victim] felt he was hit with a gun to the back of the head," Colaneri said.

The victim was taken to the hospital to treat his cuts and bruises Friday night, police said.

The two attackers were charged with first-degree robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, theft, simple assault, and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Cuccia also faces charges stemming from the assault as well as drug-related charges after police searched his home in Ridgefield.

He was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, hash oil, and mushrooms called psilocybin. He also faces charges of possession of a fraudulent New Jersey license, possession of stolen credit cards, and possession of cocaine.

Cuccia, Singh, and Moots were taken to Bergen County Jail.