A Tinton Falls man who, in 2018, retaliated against a 63-year-old special needs person, after being caught in possession of the person’s stolen bicycle, has been convicted of witness retaliation and related charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Friday.

Luis Vializ, 49, of Tinton Falls, was convicted of the following charges in connection with the Sept. 19, 2018 incident: second-degree witness retaliation, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree receiving stolen property. The verdict came after a three-day trial prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Caitlin Sidley and Amanda Dalton Clark.

The case background …

Vializ was found in possession of a stolen bicycle in Neptune Township on Sept. 19, 2018, and following his arrest was informed the victim of the bike theft was a 63-year-old individual with special needs.

Nearly a month later, on Oct. 11, 2018, Vializ observed that victim inside of an establishment in the Jumping Brook Plaza in the township, where the bike was secured outside. Upon seeing both the bike and the victim, Vializ used a hammer to repeatedly strike the bike and threatened to strike the special needs victim in an act of retaliation. 

Vializ is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 13. He is eligible for extended term sentencing and faces a maximum of 20 years in a New Jersey state prison with 10 years of parole ineligibility. 

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office