NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—City police investigated reports of at least 21 serious violent crimes in the month of August 2023, including two stabbings and four armed robberies.
The vast majority of these crimes have not been solved, with only two arrests confirmed in connection with the 21 incidents, which reportedly involved more than 30 suspects.
Of the 23 victims referenced by police, six were hospitalized, and four more were treated at the crime scenes by emergency medical personnel.
“Cutting instruments” were the most common weapons, used in five of the incidents. Three more involved firearms, two involved pepper spray, two involved blunt objects, and one involved a pellet or BB gun.
Most of the crimes occurred in either the Second Ward or Fourth Ward, with at least six reported in each, and two more along Livingston Avenue, the border between the wards.
Each of the incident investigations were handled by New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD) and our information is based on their responses to our requests for information.
The NBPD posts limited information about some crimes they investigate to an online crime map, while the Rutgers University Police Department provides a log of their incidents.
New Brunswick Today assembled our own log by making requests under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) to obtain more information about the most serious incidents.
August 2, 2023
9:00PM: Stabbing in area of Joyce Kilmer Park (143 Joyce Kilmer Ave.)
During a verbal dispute, a 41-year-0ld city man was reportedly struck with a cutting instrument by an unknown suspect. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.
August 4, 2023
9:00PM: Robbery in area of 105 Louis Street
Three unknown suspects reportedly began assaulting a 36-year-old city man while physically removing his personal property. The victim was hospitalized and the suspects remain at large.
August 7, 2023
11:00PM: Domestic violence aggravated assault at unclear location
During a verbal dispute, a suspect reportedly struck a 29-year-old city woman with a closed fist several times. The precise location within New Brunswick was not identified during the investigation, according to police. The victim reported the incident to police while seeking treatment for injuries at the hospital, and the suspect remains at large.
August 8, 2023
9:19PM: Aggravated assault with blunt object inside 48 Delavan Street
A suspect reportedly struck a 31-year-old Elizabeth woman with a blunt object inside 48 Delavan Street. The victim was hospitalized, and the suspect remains at large.
August 9, 2023
1:34AM: Pellet/BB gun shooting near Wyckoff & Ray Streets
While walking near the intersection of Wyckoff Street and Ray Street, a white Honda Accord with tinted windows reportedly stopped behind a 22-year-old city man, and an occupant fired a pellet/BB gun striking him. No injuries were reported, and the suspect remains at large.
August 12, 2023
5:59PM: Pepper spray assault in area of Walgreens (20 Jersey Avenue)
After a verbal dispute, a suspect pepper sprayed a 24-year-old person and struck a 20-year-old person with a closed fist. Both victims were treated on scene by emergency medical services and the suspect remains at large.
11:00PM: Armed robbery at Railroad Avenue & Handy Street
Two unknown suspects threatened a 24-year-old city man with a firearm while removing his personal property. The incident was reported to police six days after it occurred. No injuries were reported and the suspects remain at large.
August 13, 2023
1:30AM: Armed robbery on Zebra Way
While waking on Zebra Way, five unknown suspects threatened a 54-year-old city man with firearms while removing his personal property. The incident was reported to police five days after it occurred. No injuries were reported and the suspects remain at large.
8:16 PM: Domestic violence aggravated assault on Jones Avenue
During a verbal dispute, 43-year-old city man Ronal Esteban allegedly struck a 28-year-old woman from New Brunswick with a closed fist several times and pushed her out of a moving vehicle. The victim was treated on scene by emergency medical services. NBPD officers Lyons, Urena, and Labos were involved in the investigation that led to Esteban’s arrest on Jones Avenue at approximately 10:00PM. Esteban is charged with simple assault and aggravated assault.
10:15PM: Armed robbery in area of 4 Edgeworth Place
While walking home, an unknown suspect reportedly threatened a 20-year-old city woman with a cutting instrument while removing her personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.
August 14, 2023
5:01AM: Robbery in area of 11 Wright Place
While standing in the area of 11 Wright Place, a suspect reportedly attempted to remove a 43-year-old East Orange woman’s personal property physically. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.
August 16, 2023
11:35PM: Robbery at Remsen Avenue & Redmond Street
While at the intersection of Redmond Street and Remsen Avenue, a suspect reportedly kicked a 62-year-old Edison woman several times and removed her personal property. The victim refused medical attention and the suspect remains at large.
August 19, 2023
4:45AM: Robbery at French & Suydam Streets
While at the intersection of French Street and Suydam Street, three unknown suspects reportedly used physical force while removing a 24-year-old city man’s personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspects remain at large.
August 20, 2023
1:20AM: Pepper spray assault inside La Famosa Bar & Liquor (117 Remsen Ave.)
During a verbal dispute inside 117 Remsen Avenue, a suspect reportedly dispersed pepper spray. A 25-year-old person was hospitalized and a 32-year-old was also listed as a victim. The suspect remains at large.
August 22, 2023
Time unknown: Domestic violence aggravated assault on Suydam Street (“300 block”)
During a dispute, a suspect struck a 30-year-old city woman several times with a closed fist while threatening her with a cutting instrument. It is unclear from police responses if anyone was injured, or what time the incident occurred. The incident was reported to police four days after it occurred, and the suspect remains at large.
August 25, 2023
4:39 AM: Aggravated assault in area of 193 Comstock Street
A 29-year-old city man was reportedly struck in the head and face multiple times by several suspects. The victim was hospitalized and the suspects remain at large.
August 27, 2023
2:03AM: Aggravated assault at La Famosa Bar & Liquor (117 Remsen Ave.)
While exiting 117 Remsen Avenue, a 50-year-old city man was reportedly assaulted by an unknown suspect, which started a large physical dispute. During the dispute, another unknown suspect reportedly pointed a firearm at him before fleeing. The victim refused medical attention and the suspects remain at large.
6:47PM: Armed robbery with blunt object in front of George Street Co-op (89 Morris St.)
While in front of 89 Morris Street, a suspect reportedly used physical force to remove a 62-year-old Edison woman’s personal property. Police indicated the weapon in this incident was a blunt object. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at-large.
August 29, 2023
12:05AM: Domestic violence aggravated assault on Jersey Avenue (“00 block”)
During a dispute, 42-year-old Modesto Lopez-Cruz allegedly threatened a 22-year-old city man with a cutting instrument. No injuries were reported. NBPD officers Snyder and K. Abode were involved in the investigation that led to Lopez-Cruz’s arrest on Jersey Avenue at 12:43AM. Lopez-Cruz is charged with aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, unlawful possession of a weapon, and terroristic threats.
August 30, 2023
4:02AM: Stabbing in front of Sam’s Chicken & Pizza (169 French St.)
While in front of 169 French Street, a 37-year-old Somerset man was reportedly approached by an unknown suspect who struck him with a cutting instrument while removing his personal property. The victim was treated on scene by emergency medical services and the suspect remains at large.
7:00PM: Robbery at Livingston & Handy
A 55-year-old city man was reportedly approached on Livingston Avenue and Handy Street by an unknown suspect who used physical force to remove his personal property. No injuries were reported, and the suspect remains at large.
Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.
