A Lakewood man has been sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault, eluding, and criminal mischief.
On September 7, 2019, Lakewood Township Police observed a motor vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and swerving in and out of traffic on New Hampshire Avenue northbound. As police officers attempted to execute a motor vehicle stop, the vehicle – operated by Juan Mendoza of Lakewood – continued to elude the officers before crashing into multiple vehicles on Ocean Avenue and finally coming to a stop. When the officers approached the vehicle, Mendoza climbed out of the passenger-side window. The officers discovered an unconscious female, later identified as Marcela Alban, strapped into the passenger seat. It was learned that the vehicle belonged to Ms. Alban and that she had previously been in a dating relationship with Mendoza. The officers detected a strong odor of alcohol, and observed Mendoza acting erratically; as such, it was suspected that Mendoza had operated the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Mendoza was arrested at the scene and transported to Lakewood Police Headquarters. Ms. Alban was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, where she was treated for her injuries and released.
Further investigation revealed that Mendoza appeared at Ms. Alban’s residence earlier that day and forced her into the vehicle with him by assaulting her and threatening her children. He then proceeded to drive recklessly through Lakewood, striking her as she pleaded with him to stop. He continued to assault her until the motor vehicle crash occurred. At Lakewood Police Headquarters, Mendoza agreed to submit to chemical breath testing. The chemical breath test revealed Mendoza had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .14 percent, above the state’s driving limit.
Ocean County Prosecutor Brad Billhimer commended the diligence of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the outstanding efforts exhibited by the Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit in connection with this investigation which led to Mendoza’s arrest, and ultimately his lengthy state prison sentence.