NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Police investigated reports of at least 34 serious violent crimes in the month of October 2023, including at least six stabbings, four shootings, and two armed robberies.
The incidents left four people dead, and sent at least fourteen more victims to the hospital, while at least six others were treated at the crime scenes by emergency medical personnel.
Less than one-third of the crimes have been solved, with ten adults and seven juveniles arrested or taken into custody in connection with the 34 incidents, which reportedly involved more than 50 suspects.
“Blunt objects” were the most common weapons utilized, having reportedly been used in seven incidents, while “cutting instruments” were used in six of the crimes, and firearms in five. Pepper spray and a car were each also reportedly used as weapons once.
The Second Ward was the setting for at least nine serious crimes, including both fatal incidents. Both the Fifth and Sixth Ward saw at least seven serious crimes, with two more occurring along the border between the two wards.
Most of the incident investigations were handled by New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD), while others were investigated by the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD).
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) assisted with the investigation into three murders, and also a string of sexual crimes.
Our information is based on their responses to our requests, as well as other publicly available resources, such as the NBPD’s archive of motor vehicle crash reports.
The NBPD posts limited information about some crimes they investigate to an online crime map, while the RUPD provides a log of their incidents. The MCPO posts their press releases on the county website.
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.
October 1, 2023
2:16AM: Assault by Auto at Albany Street and Burnet Street
RUPD investigated a crash in the area of Albany and Burnet Streets, after a grey 2016 BMW M Series driven by a man from the Keasbey section of Woodbridge struck a blue 2012 Hyundai Elantra driven be a man from Highland Park. Police concluded that the 23-year-old man behind the wheel of the BMV, Jonihel Valdez, allegedly “disregarded a red light at the intersection” and crashed into the Hyundai at high speed. “It appears that prior to the crash neither vehicle attempted to slow or stop, since no skid marks were observed,” wrote RUPD Officer Arthur Maskowki in a crash report. The Hyundai “rotated more than 200 degrees clockwise on its Z axis before finally impacting the concrete curb and coming to a complete stop” while, as a result of the impact, the BMW “exited the roadway,” making “long ruts on the grass” as it traveled sideways before re-entering the roadway and coming to a final resting position some 70 feet from the intersection, according to the report. Both vehicles were badly damaged and had to be towed away from the scene. Because the BMW was a convertible, “it was equipped with a roll over protection system [that] activated which resulted in the rear window being shattered by the ejected safety pillars.” Valdez was arrested by RUPD Lt. Timothy Wilmot and charged with eluding police, and two counts of assault by motor vehicle, as well as several motor vehicle violations.
2:26AM: Aggravated assault in area of 26 Prosper Street
While walking on Prosper Street, two unknown suspects had physically assaulted two victims, aged 24 and 25. The 24-year-old victim further reported that during the assault, one of the suspects bit his finger. Both victims were treated by emergency medical services and the suspects remain at large.
October 2, 2023
1:00PM: Possible shooting at Joyce Kilmer Park
Police received a call reporting that approximately 20 minutes in the past, there was a shooting at 143 Joyce Kilmer Avenue where a victim was stuck. Officers did not locate any victims.
7:30PM: Armed robbery near Sandford Street and Remsen Avenue
Two unknown suspects approached a 65-year-old Princeton man while walking on Sandford Street. At the same time, one pressed an unidentified object into his rib cage while the other suspect removed his personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspects remain at large.
October 3, 2023
1:30AM: Aggravated assault outside of Golden Rail Pub (66 Easton Avenue)
While outside of 66 Easton Avenue, a 27-year-old North Brunswick man was struck in the head several times during a dispute with a group of individuals. The man was hospitalized and the suspects remain at large.
October 4, 2023
2:52AM: Domestic violence aggravated assault at XX US Highway 1
During a dispute, 44-year-old city man Dushan Copeland allegedly began strangling a 22-year-old city woman. The victim was treated by emergency medical services. NBPD Officers Torres-Olivos and Maldanado investigated and Copeland was arrested on scene at approximately 3:08 AM. Copeland was charged with simple assault and aggravated assault.
5:27PM: Aggravated assault outside of D’Palace Bar (181 Throop Avenue)
While outside 181 Throop Avenue, a 32-year-old North Brunswick man was physically assaulted by three unknown suspects. The victim was hospitalized and the suspects remain at large.
October 5, 2023
11:43PM: Robbery in area of Daisy’s Food Market (76 Remsen Avenue)
While walking home, a 49-year-old city man was approached by three unknown suspects who assaulted him while physically removing his personal property. The victim was hospitalized and the suspects remain at large.
October 7, 2023
1:15AM: Armed robbery near Handy Street and Remsen Avenue
While walking on Handy Street, a 57-year-old city man was approached by three unknown suspects who struck him with a blunt object while physically removing his personal property. The victim was hospitalized and the suspects remain at large.
October 8, 2023
12:19AM: Shooting in area of Above Art Studios (55 Morris Street)
Police responded to 55 Morris Street for reports of shots fired. Officers canvassed the area, but no injures were reported and no victims were located. Property damage to a building and to two vehicles occurred as a results of the shooting incident. The suspect remains at large.
2:49PM: Aggravated assault at Buccleuch Park
There was a verbal dispute between two baseball teams that turned physical. The suspect struck a 36-year-old Parsippany man with a blunt object and hit two more victims, aged 43 and 22. The 36-year-old victim received treatment at an area hospital. NBPD Officers Yacuk and Hetzler and Lieutenant Lemmerling investigated and a 16-year-old juvenile resident of Asbury Park was charged with juvenile delinquency for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute aggravated assault. The juvenile was taken into custody at approximately 6:26 PM at NBPD headquarters.
4:39PM: Aggravated assault outside room of Motel 6/Red Carpet Inn (26 US Highway 1)
While outside room #224 during a verbal argument, the suspect struck a 41-year-old Matawan man with a blunt object. The victim refused medical attention and the suspect remains at large.
5:11PM: Aggravated assault inside 132 French Street
Inside 132 French Street, the suspect struck a 20-year-old man in the head with a blunt object. The victim received treatment from emergency medical services at the scene. NBPD Officers Garcia, Krapf and Fierro investigated and arrested 26-year-old New Brunswick resident Antoine M. Williams at approximately 7:13 PM on the scene. Williams was charged with aggravated assault and unlawful possession of weapons.
October 9, 2023
8:00PM: Shooting at 165 Wright Place
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots in the area of Wright Place, while another witness observed an unknown suspect holding a firearm. Property damage occurred to vehicles and to 165 Wright Place, as a result of the gunfire. No gunshot victims were located. NBPD Officer Garcia and Detectives Monticello and Gregus investigated. Nine days later, on October 18, 30-year-old South River resident Breyon Walker was arrested in connection with the shooting. Walker, apparently not the shooter, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder. The other alleged conspirators remain at large.
October 10, 2023
3:25PM: Stabbing/slashing in front of 70 Guilden Street
Two 27-year-old city men returned to their vehicle, which was parked in front of 35 Delafield Street, and noticed that it had been burglarized. The victims located the suspect, 30-year-old city resident David G. Saavedra, in front of 70 Guilden Street carrying their property and attempted to stop him until police arrived. Saavedra allegedly struck one victim with a cutting instrument and bit both victims. NBPD Detective Gregus and Officers Sookhram and Triebsch investigated and Saavedra was arrested on the scene at approximately 4:00 PM. Saavedra is charged with aggravated assault, burglary, theft, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
8:07PM: Robbery in area of 140 Redmond Street
While riding his bike, a 28-year-old man was approached by three unknown suspects who assaulted him while physically removing his personal property. The victim refused medical attention and the suspects remain at large.
October 11, 2023
7:57PM: Shooting in area of New Brunswick Apartments (33 Paul Robeson Boulevard)
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots in the area of 33 Paul Robeson Boulevard. Vehicles were struck by gunfire, resulting in property damage. A gunshot victim was not located. NBPD Sergeant Faller, Detectives Flores and Freeman, and Officers Fierro and Puccio investigated and arrested a 19-year-old city resident, Jeremiah I. Lasure, near the scene of the shooting. Lasure was not charged with the shooting, however. Instead, he was charged with aggravated assault on police, resisting arrest, hindering apprehension, and obstructing the administration of the law. The shooter or shooters remain at large.
October 16, 2023
2:48PM: Domestic violence at XX Guilden Street
During a verbal dispute that took place on Guilden Street, the suspect used physical force to remove a 18-year-old woman’s personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.
3:00PM: Aggravated assault in area of Hub Teen Center (411 Joyce Kilmer Avenue)
Several suspects physically assaulted a 13-year-old juvenile while walking in the area of 411 Joyce Kilmer Avenue. There were two additional juvenile victims. NBPD Detectives Coleman and J.C. Gomez and Officer Garcia investigated. The 13-year-old victim later received treatment at an area hospital. After a follow-up investigation, six juveniles were taken into custody on October 17, and a seventh juvenile was taken into custody on October 18. The first suspect, a 13-year-old, was taken into custody at 1:43pm on October 17 in the New Brunswick Middle School (NBMS), charged with juvenile delinquency for offenses which, if committed by an adult, would constitute aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and inciting a riot. Identical charges were filed against another 13-year-old who was taken into custody at 2:30pm in NBMS, a 12-year-old taken into custody at 2:37pm in NBPD headquarters, and a 14-year-old taken into custody at 2:55pm in New Brunswick High School (NBHS). Two more suspects, a 12-year-old taken into custody at 3:23pm in NBPD headquarters and a 15-year-old taken into custody at 3:45pm in NBHS, were charged with juvenile delinquency for offenses which, if committed by an adult, would constitute simple assault and inciting a riot. The final suspect, a 13-year-old taken into custody in NBMS at 12:25pm on October 18, faces the same charges as the first four.
October 20, 2023
11:26PM: Domestic violence stabbing/slashing in area of Albany Street and Route 18
A 30-year-old city woman reported that her ex-boyfriend, 35-year-old city resident Matthew D. Petties, threatened her life during a verbal argument. At the time, a 30-year-old man intervened and was struck with a cutting instrument by the suspect. The 30-year-old man received treatment at an area hospital. NBPD Detective Monticello and Officers Hagerty and Vazquez investigated and, on October 23 at 11:44pm, Petties was arrested on Lee Avenue. Petties is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
11:53PM: Robbery outside of Noodle Gourmet/Knights Express (43 Easton Avenue)
While working, a 33-year-old Staten Island man attempted to stop a suspect from removing several food items from the restaurant without paying. While outside of the restaurant, the victim was assaulted by six unknown suspects. The victim refused medical attention and the suspects remain at large.
October 21, 2023
12:38AM: Aggravated assault in area of Huntington Street and Sicard Street
The suspect struck a 18-year-old man with a closed fist during a physical altercation. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.
11:03PM: Fatal domestic violence stabbing/slashing in area of Feaster Park
Two city residents were killed in a double stabbing that occurred in and near Feaster Park. Authorities say they ultimately discovered two victims with multiple stab wounds, one man and one woman. The man, Jesus Antonio-Salazar, a 25-year-old city resident, was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 22-year-old New Brunswick woman named Gabriela De La Cruz Camero succumbed to her injuries after leaving in an ambulance bound for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. A few hours later, Eduardo Mateo Lorenzo, the 26-year-old city man who police believe committed the double homicide then killed himself in another city park known as Recreation Park, or “Pine Street Park.”
October 22, 2023
1:39AM: Domestic violence stabbing/slashing at XX Riverside Drive
During a dispute, 31-year-old city man Jamane Jarvis allegedly struck a 37-year-old man with a cutting instrument. The victim was hospitalized. NBPD Detectives Freeman and Runof and Officer Way investigated, and at 9:45pm on October 23, Jarvis was arrested on Riverside Drive and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, unlawful possession of weapons, and possession of weapon with unlawful purpose.
2:13AM: Suicide in Recreation Park
Police received a call indicating a man was found unconscious, after allegedly hanging himself in Recreation Park at 7 Pine Street. Eduardo Mateo Lorenzo, the 26-year-old city man who police say killed Jesus Antonio-Salazar and Gabriela De La Cruz Camero hours earlier, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities concluded that the three knew each other, and that Mateo Lorenzo’s death was the result of an apparent suicide.
October 23, 2023
1:49AM: Aggravated assault in front of the HUB Liquors and Bar (123 French Street)
During a dispute in front of 123 French Street, a 50-year-old city man was struck with a blunt object by two suspects. The victim refused medical attention and the suspects remain at large.
October 24, 2023
1:07AM: Aggravated assault in front of Sam’s Chicken and Pizza (169 French Street)
During a dispute in front of 169 French Street, the suspect struck the a 47-year-old South River man with a blunt object. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.
October 25, 2023
4:29PM: Stabbing/slashing in area of 3 Oxford Street
During a dispute in the area of 3 Oxford Street, the suspect struck a 25-year-old city man with a cutting instrument. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.
October 27, 2023
4:23PM: Aggravated assault in front of The Quincy (120 Neilson Street)
During a dispute in front of 120 Neilson Street, the suspect assaulted a 30-year-old Connecticut man while attempting to strike him with a blunt object. The victim refused medical attention and the suspect remains at large.
9:00PM: Robbery in front of Hungarian Heritage Center (300 Somerset Street)
While walking in front of 300 Somerset Street, two unknown suspects had struck a 20-year-old man in the back of the head while removing his personal property. The victim was hospitalized and the suspects remain at large.
October 28, 2023
3:12AM: Aggravated assault in front of RU Grill and Pizza (142 Easton Avenue)
During a dispute in front of 142 Easton Avenue, suspects dispersed pepper spray. The victims said they were not involved in the conflict. The victims were treated by emergency medical services and the suspects remain at large.
October 29, 2023
3:31AM: Shooting in area of 269 Somerset Street
Upon their arrival officers located a 28-year-old city man, who sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. The preliminary investigation suggests the shooting occurred outside the residence during a large gathering. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.
October 30, 2023
9:00PM: Criminal Sexual Contact near Rutgers University’s College Avenue Campus
At least two female Rutgers students independently reported being inappropriately touched and harassed by an unknown male. In the first two incidents, the perpetrator was reported to have approached female victims and subsequently made contact with their intimate areas. These incidents were reported to have occurred between the approximate hours 9:00 PM and 9:05 PM with the first occurring near the intersection of Bishop Place and College Avenue and the second near the intersection of Sicard Street and Stone Street. In two subsequent incidents between approximately 9:10 PM and 9:15 PM, the perpetrator was reported to have approached female victims and was unsuccessful attempts to touch their person. Those incidents reportedly occurred near the intersection of Bartlett Street and Sicard Street and the intersection of Bartlett Street and Wyckoff Street. After a New Brunswick man has been charged in connection with multiple incidents of sexual contact and attempted sexual contact of women within the city of New Brunswick, near the Rutgers University College Avenue Campus. Using their Facebook page, RUPD issued a statement about the four incidents at 12:21am on October 31, and the following day, city resident Jose Paulino II was arrested by authorities and allegedly connected to the crime spree.
October 31, 2023
2:37AM: Robbery near Recreation Park
While with a group of friends, an unknown female punched a 31-year-old woman in the face multiple times and took her personal property. The suspect and her associates then fled the area. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.
9:12AM: Fatal domestic violence stabbing/slashing inside 37 Juliet Street
A 20-year-old woman passed away after being stabbed in the area of 37 Juliet Street, allegedly by her stepfather—who also suffered stab wounds of his own. Police arrived at the home to find 20-year-old Lissi Rodriguez-Sanchez, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, and 64-year-old Teodulo Habana, badly injured. An investigation led by NBPD Detective Victor Delgado and MCPO Detective Kevin Schroeck “determined that Habana’s wounds were self-inflicted, and he was the perpetrator of this crime,” according to a press release from both agencies. Habana was hospitalized and has been charged with first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
6:40PM: Attempted Criminal Sexual Contact in area of Easton Avenue and Hamilton Street
RUPD received reports of an additional attempted criminal sexual contact that occurred in the area of Easton Avenue and Hamilton Street. The victim, a female Rutgers University student, reported that the male perpetrator attempted to make contact with her “intimate parts,” but she managed to get away. Following an investigation by MCPO Detective Ryan Stolte, NBPD Detective Jeff Monticello and RUPD Sergeant Matthew Oblad, the unknown male was identified as 32-year-old city man Jose Paulino II. Paulino was arrested that night, and charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, fourth-degree attempted criminal sexual contact, harassment, and simple assault. On November 1, Paulino was charged with one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact for one of the inappropriate touching incidents on October 30. RUPD released another statement on their Facebook page at 12:34pm on November 1, and the MCPO issued a press release announcing the arrest and charges on November 2.
Ravi is a recent Philosophy and Political Science Rutgers graduate who is interested in government, public safety, and culture.
