Crime & Safety
Teammates, Coach 'Shocked' by Wrestler's Alleged Wild Manasquan Carjacking Ride
20-year-old was arrested last week after he allegedly stole a golf cart, assaulted members of the Manasquan Beach Patrol, broke into a home, and punched its 72-year-old owner, police said.
His former coach and teammates on the state champion Bergen Catholic wrestling team say they are surprised by the recent legal issues a Ridgefield Park 20-year-old is now facing.
Last week, Lukas Iorio was allegedly involved in a string of wild behaviors at a Manasquan beach that got him arrested and charged with carjacking, burglary, resisting arrest, assault by auto, and criminal mischief, police said. The Gettysburg College student is accused of, among other things, stealing a golf cart-type vehicle, hitting a pedestrian, and breaking into a home near the beach, police said.
According to a NorthJersey.com report, Dave Bell, Iorio’s former Bergen Catholic wrestling coach, said the wrestler was feeling “remorseful” and “concerned about his future.” Bell also told the paper the arrest was a “shock” to him.
Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Several of Iorio’s former teammates also said they were surprised to learn of the charges, and speculated that he likely “just got caught up in a bad situation,” NorthJersey.com reported.
Cops said that Iorio approached two members of the Manasquan Beach Patrol on May 25, jumped feet first into their cart, kicked out its plastic windshield, assaulted both patrolmen and kicked them out of the cart. When driving the cart after that, police said Iorio struck a 49-year-old pedestrian and crashed into a gazebo.
Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Police also said that Iorio attempted to steal a bicycle, punched a man who offered to help him, broke into a nearby home through the unlocked back door, confronted the homeowners, and, during the confrontation, repeatedly punched a 72-year-old resident in the face and head.
NorthJersey.com reported that Iorio wrestled for Gettysburg until this February, but is no longer listed as a member of the school’s wrestling team. Representatives of the school declined to say why he was no longer on the team, but did say that they will “take appropriate action in a timely manner” in regard to the charges against him, the report said.
Iorio is out of jail on $341,000 bail, and is scheduled to appear in Manasquan municipal court Wednesday.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
