Somerset County are reporting the arrest of Mr. Jonathan W. Beatty, 53, of Raritan in relation to an aggravated assault with an axe in the area of West Somerset Street in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 3, in Raritan.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on July 3, 2021, at approximately 12:50 a.m., Raritan Borough Police officers were dispatched to the area of West Somerset Street for a report of a man needing assistance.
Upon arrival, Raritan Borough Police Officers located an adult male victim bleeding profusely from lacerations on his back and forearm resulting from an attack with an axe. The victim, a Raritan Borough resident, was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
Officials said detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Raritan Borough Police Department responded to the scene to conduct an investigation.
As a result of this investigation, officials said Beatty was identified as the individual involved in the aggravated assault with the axe. The assault was an isolated incident that occurred following a verbal altercation. The victim and the defendant are known to each other, officials said.
Police transported Beatty from his residence to the Raritan Borough Police Department, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendant Beatty has been charged with 2nd-degree Aggravated Assault. Defendant Beatty was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing in this matter.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Chief Nolterequest anyone with information relating to the aggravated assault to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100