Two New Yorkers Arrested After Jersey Shore Machete Attack in Manataloking

Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford issued a statement today concerning assaults which took place last night in Mantoloking.  Prosecutor Ford stated,

“Last night, law enforcement officers from the Mantoloking Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office conducted an investigation into a reported stabbing in the are of Route 35 and Herbert Street.

Eyewitnesses placed 911 calls at approximately 7:09 p.m. reporting that an individual brandishing a machete-type weapon was involved in an altercation with other individuals.  A description of a motor vehicle was provided which resulted in a Mantoloking police officer stopping and detaining a blue Subaru with New York license plates.  A back seat passenger, identified as Michael Villanueva, 25 years of age of New York, New York was observed by the officer to have blood on his arms and clothing.  The driver of the vehicle was identified as Lenin Herrrera, 26 years of age of Harlem, New York.

Shortly thereafter investigators learned that three individuals were being treated at Centra State Hospital in Freehold.  Two of those individuals suffered slashing and penetrating wounds inflicted by a sharp weapon.  Further investigation revealed that these individuals suffered these injuries during the altercation with Villanueva and Herrrera in Mantoloking.

As a result of this investigation both Villanueva and Herrera were charged with the following offenses:  Aggravated Assault, a crime of the second degree, Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon, the machete, Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.  Their bails were set by the Honorable Stephanie M. Wauters, J.S.C. at $250.000 no 10% each.

The investigation is continuing.  Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to contact Detective Thomas Tiernan of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027 or Patrolman
William Shewan of the Mantoloking Police Department at (732) 892-0832.”

The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are only allegations.  Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven or found guilty in court.

Posted by Ocean County News on Jun 22 2012. Filed under Police Blotter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.