Staten Island man charged in vandalism spree, injuring officer

Suspect allegedly broke officer's finger, shattered angel statue and door during early morning incident

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:50am

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A 34-year-old Staten Island man named Joseph Romania has been charged with breaking an NYPD officer's finger and damaging property, including an angel statue and a door, during an early morning vandalism spree in the Huguenot neighborhood. Police say Romania threatened officers and resisted arrest when they tried to apprehend him.

Why it matters

Incidents of vandalism and violence against law enforcement officers are concerning trends that impact public safety and community trust in policing. This case highlights the need for improved mental health resources and de-escalation training to address underlying issues that may drive such criminal behavior.

The details

According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred around midnight on March 2 in the vicinity of Hylan Boulevard and Wendy Drive in Staten Island's Huguenot neighborhood. When police attempted to arrest Romania, he allegedly threatened the officers, saying "You want to fight. I'll f--k you guys up," and resisted arrest, resulting in an officer suffering a broken finger.

  • The incident occurred around midnight on March 2, 2026.

The players

Joseph Romania

A 34-year-old man from the Eltingville neighborhood of Staten Island who has been charged with breaking an officer's finger and damaging property during an early morning vandalism spree.

NYPD

The New York Police Department, whose officer suffered a broken finger while attempting to arrest Romania.

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What they’re saying

“You want to fight. I'll f--k you guys up,”

— Joseph Romania (Criminal complaint)

What’s next

Romania is expected to appear in court in the coming days to face charges related to the incident.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for improved mental health resources and de-escalation training for law enforcement to address the underlying issues that can drive criminal behavior and violence against police officers.