Two Charged In Restaurant Kitchen Assault On Barnegat Man

Two men were charged with aggravated assault in connection with an attack on an employee in the Il Giardino restaurant recently, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

Officer Dimitri Tsarnas and other officers responded to a call of two men assaulting an employee in the restaurant's kitchen at 9:47 p.m. on Aug. 1, the chief said.

The victim identified one of his attackers as being the husband of Aileen Racanelli, a waitress at the restaurant.

The assault took place inside the kitchen area of the restaurant. The victim was punched, knocked to the ground and kicked. The suspects then fled the scene, the chief said.

Michael J. Racanelli, 52, of Cedar Run, and Anthony M. Racanelli, 21, also of Cedar Run, were arrested after the incident and charged with aggravated assault and defiant trespass. Bail was set at $25,000 each. Both posted bailed at Lacey Township Police headquarters.

Aileen Racanelli was charged with hindering apprehension.

The victim - who lives in Barnegat - was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center by Lacey Township EMS. He was treated for his injuries, which included pain in his neck and back and blurred vision, the chief said.