Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 30, 2022, Porfirio Serrano-Cruz, 38, of Seaside Heights, was charged with Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), in connection with a stabbing that occurred in Seaside Park on June 30, 2022. Serrano-Cruz was also charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; Burglary in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2a(1); and Possession of Clonazepam Without a Valid Prescription in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.5e(2).
On June 30, 2022, at approximately 5:15 a.m., the Seaside Park Police Department responded to a residence on O Street in response to a 911 call, where the caller stated that someone had broken into his residence and tried to kill him. Responding Officers found a thirty nine year-old, male victim with multiple stab wounds to the arms, chest, abdomen and groin. The victim was air-lifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of his injuries. He is currently listed in critical but stable condition.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit and Seaside Park Police Department, determined that Serrano-Cruz was the individual responsible for stabbing of the victim. Serrano-Cruz was located in Seaside Heights and taken into custody, without incident, by Officers from the Seaside Heights Police Department. Serrano-Cruz is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Seaside Park Police Department, Seaside Heights Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Serrano-Cruz’s swift apprehension.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).