Second Suspect Captured After Violent Carjacking Attack on New Jersey Taxi Driver
New Jersey police captured a second suspect in a violent taxi carjacking that injured a driver in Monmouth County earlier this year. The arrest occurred months after the initial incident, which outraged the town and triggered a lengthy police investigation.
Police in Georgia arrested 20-year-old Baldemar Sandoval-Herrera of Asbury Park last week. Howell police have charged him with carjacking, two counts of aggravated assault, and a firearms offense for the January incident. The individual will be extradited to New Jersey to face charges, officials said.
Late at night on January 16, a violent fight occurred near Oak Glen Park in Howell Township. An investigator says a taxi driver dropped off two customers after a journey when violence broke out. After reaching the destination, a passenger allegedly assaulted the 46-year-old driver, slashing his face with a weapon.
According to police, the injured driver fled the vehicle to avoid the attacks. The thieves allegedly seized the taxi and fled after the driver fled.
A patrolling police officer found the injured driver about 11:15 p.m. Officers found the driver bleeding from a face cut. After emergency medical treatment, the sufferer was taken to a local hospital for facial laceration therapy.
The suspects and stolen cab were searched for by police shortly after the event. Investigators found the vehicle soon after the attack. Law enforcement used a K9 unit to track the criminals. Police failed to find the suspects during the initial search.
Later, investigators identified two guys suspected of the attack and carjacking. Melvin J. Cruz-Salmora, a 19-year-old Mexican national, is the initial suspect and previously lived in Neptune Township. He faces carjacking, two aggravated assault charges, and a firearms charge for the same incident.
On February 3, authorities found Cruz-Salmora during an operation in Neptune Township weeks later. Police found him hiding in a house. As federal authorities joined the inquiry, two more people were arrested.
Officials reported that the FBI detained 27-year-old Jose Luis Acevedo Jimenez and 29-year-old Jovanni Cruz-Salmoran at the location of the discovery. Investigators accused Jimenez with immigration-related counts for allegedly lying to federal authorities during questioning.
Meanwhile, authorities found Jovanni Cruz-Salmoran had an active warrant for deportation. He was arrested on the removal warrant after federal agents confirmed his unauthorized status with immigration authorities.
After being arrested, Acevedo Jimenez and Jovanni Cruz-Salmoran were taken to the Newark Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for additional processing, according to case officials.
In the same operation, Neptune Township investigators arrested a 22-year-old woman present at the apartment. After reportedly lying to police during the inquiry, she was charged locally. She was processed and freed pending court.
The arrest of Sandoval-Herrera in Georgia marks major progress in holding the perpetrators accountable for the brutal crime. Officials announced that he will be extradited to New Jersey to pursue judicial processes.
The event shows the risks late-night transportation workers confront while serving clients. Law enforcement officials said they will pursue violent criminals and fully investigate situations like this.
The New Jersey court system is still prosecuting the individuals, but officials have not disclosed the extradition timeline.
Sources
Howell Police Department
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
