JACKSON – A Township man has admitted to assault and evading authorities after starting a pursuit on the parkway and hitting a cop car, police said.
Kevin Valverde-Cruz, 21, of Jackson, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault and Eluding Law Enforcement in connection with an incident that occurred on October 18, 2022 in Lakewood.
At the time of his sentencing on September 8, the State will be seeking a term of five years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Aggravated Assault charge, and five years NJSP as to the Eluding charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
According to authorities, Valverde-Cruz was speeding in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee on October 18, 2022. When officers attempted to pull him over, he sped onto the Garden State Parkway. A pursuit began but was ultimately terminated due to public safety concerns, officials said.
Later that evening, Valverde-Cruz was found on the shoulder of the westbound lane of Central Avenue in Lakewood. When officers made contact with Valverde-Cruz, he did not comply and proceeded to put the car in reverse and struck a detective’s car. Valverde-Cruz then abruptly turned back into the roadway almost striking the detectives and fled the area, police said.
After authorities identified the driver Valverde-Cruz, a search warrant was performed at his home in Jackson Township on January 10. Valverde-Cruz was arrested without incident and processed at Lakewood Township Police Department. Police said the white Jeep Grand Cherokee was located at the home. Valverde-Cruz was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Madeline Buczynski who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, Jackson Township Police Department, Howell Township Police Department, Ocean County Regional SWAT, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Valverde-Cruz’s guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.
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