Police ID Naked Mystery Man
Ocean, NJ man was found Sunday afternoon naked, covered in mud and wandering through the woods in Mahwah
Photos
Mahwah police have identified a man who was found wandering through the woods in Mahwah naked and covered in mud Sunday afternoon, Mahwah Police James Batelli said Monday afternoon.
Police say the mystery wanderer is Russell J. Cox, 36, of Ocean, NJ. According to Batelli, the Mahwah PD received a call at about 12:30 p.m. Monday from a man who recognized Cox from “past associations.” The caller recognized Cox’s face, and “distinct tattoos on his back and arm,” Batelli said. Police were able to confirm the caller’s identification through his driver’s license photo and the Motor Vehicle Commission, Batelli said.
Police have contacted family members who agreed to meet with physicians currently treating Cox at Bergen Regional Medical Center, Batelli said.
Batelli said he could not give too many details on what may have prompted Cox’s bizarre trip to the township. “The family member was able to offer some insight into the actions of Mr. Cox, which will be addressed by his family,” he said.
Police are now looking for a gray Subaru Cox may have driven to Mahwah, Batelli said.
Rock
4:47 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
Two words: bath salts
Jeanne Brady Schreib
4:57 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
Sounds drug related. At least he didn't try to eat somebody's face
Wayne resident
6:33 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
Definitely bath salts..
Hank
7:18 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
I understand the town council will be discussing whether to ban naked mystery men from local parks.
Regenbogen
9:45 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
He was probably looking for the MALL...
Hank
10:32 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
I guess he's found out by now if he's allergic to poison ivy or not
Diane Schwarz
9:23 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Bath salts?
Jonathan Venusti
12:27 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Wait till you see the unsavory characters that a mall will bring !
Hank
2:37 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
I'm sure "Bergen's Parkland" will provide us with enough unsavory characters until the mall opens.
Ivy
12:37 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Directed to Paul - that was a VERY ignorant comment - what day & age are you living in? Needless to say glad he was identified and will get some help.
Jeanne Brady Schreib
5:37 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
@Diane Schwarz - Bath Salts is a new drug. Makes people really crazy. The zombie guy who attacked a homeless man and ate half his face was on it.
Andy Schmidt
5:48 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012
Jeanne - that was just a rumor. Tests showed he actually was on marijuana:
http://articles.cnn.com/2012-06-27/us/us_florida-cannibal-attack_1?_s=PM:US
Regenbogen
5:38 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Paul,
Check your spelling!!
michelle s
9:32 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012
In addition to experiencing altered moods, many bath salt users are having psychotic episodes marked with agitation, hallucinations and violent behavior. Because this drug is unfamiliar to medical professionals, doctors are still learning how to treat symptoms and overdoses of this drug.
http://www.lakeviewhealth.com/bath-salts-infographic.php
JM
8:09 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
I'm still wondering why the Park Rangers(police?) didn't shoot him, after all, he was alone, and naked!
Andy Schmidt
8:20 am on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Joyce Mann, probablybecause
a) Although naked, he wasn't riding his ATV on county or state property with signs posted everywhere that wheeled vehicles are prohibited - then evaded police and then resisted arrest
b) He wasn't part of a group who assaulted police twice
c) He wasn't about to wrestle away the officer's firearm
But, I agree with you underlying message: Even IF he had done that, he STILL didn't deserve to be shot for that - BUT anyone who does certainly should realize that this is a possible outcome. If you seek a confrontation with police and assault them - instead of abiding by the officers' instructions - then you've raised the bar quite a bit.
And, as the situation with the crazed La Rocco couple showed - Mahwah Police will show extreme restraint and not rush matters in an attempt to resolve potential hostile situations, even when weapons are involved.
JM
2:31 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Andy Schmidt,
A. The man they killed was not riding, and did not have a ATV there
B.He did not evade, or resist arrest.
c.He was not a part of the "GROUP" who assaulted a Park Police Officer.
He certainly did not deserve to die for his actions that day, they (Park Police) are supposed to be trained to deal with such situations.
Andy Schmidt
4:04 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Joyce Mann - where do I say that any one person DID all these things?
I said that he man referred to in this article "was NOT".
And as you and I both stated, even if such a person ever were to do these things, they would (risk but) not deserve to die. Then, a jury of peers in a criminal trial would examine all the evidence and determine if any laws were broken by EITHER side and the guilty parties would be sentenced. (Hypothentically speaking, of course.)
Wally Van Riper
6:00 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
JM---The evidence presented in court proved otherwise. If the park ranger had done anything wrong he would have been found guilty.