Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on October 6, 2022, Porfirio Serrano-Cruz, 39, of Seaside Heights, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charge of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 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 indicted on the charges of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d; Burglary in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2a(1); and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous substance – specifically Clonazepam – in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1).
On June 30, 2022, at approximately 5:15 a.m., Officers from the Seaside Park Police Department responded to a residence on O Street in response to a 911 call; the caller stated that someone had broken into his residence and tried to kill him. Responding Officers found a 39 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 was subsequently treated for his injuries and released.
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 the stabbing of the victim. On June 30, 2022, Serrano-Cruz was located in Seaside Heights and taken into custody without incident by Officers from the Seaside Heights Police Department. He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, as well as 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 apprehension, and now his indictment.
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).