HOWELL, NJ — A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a carjacking and assault that left a taxi driver with a facial laceration in January.
Melvin J. Cruz-Salmoran of Neptune was charged Feb. 1 with carjacking, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
He was arrested Feb. 3 by Howell police detectives and members of the FBI’s Jersey Shore Safe Streets Task Force at a residence in Neptune.
The incident occurred Jan. 16 at approximately 11:15 p.m. when a Howell police officer found a 46-year-old taxi driver bleeding from the face on Old Tavern Road.
The victim, who works for a taxi company based in Asbury Park, reported that two Hispanic males had hired him for a ride from Neptune to a parking lot across from Oak Glen Park.
Upon arrival, one suspect produced a knife and slashed the driver in the face before both suspects fled in the stolen taxi, according to police.
The victim fled on foot until he was located by the patrol officer.
Police found the abandoned taxi a short time later on Maxim Road and established a perimeter, but the suspects were not immediately located.
The victim was treated for a facial laceration at Jersey Shore Medical Center and listed in stable condition.
During the Feb. 3 arrest, three other individuals were taken into custody at the Neptune residence.
Jose Luis Acevedo Jimenez, 27, of Neptune, faces immigration charges for lying to federal agents.
Jennifer Lopez, 22, of Neptune, faces local charges for providing false information to authorities.
Jovanni Cruz-Salmoran, 29, of Neptune, was arrested on a warrant of removal.
Cruz-Salmoran was transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending further proceedings.
Police are still seeking to identify and apprehend a second suspect involved in the carjacking.
