By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on January 22, 2024, Juan Santiago-Rojas, 31, of Point Pleasant Borough, was charged with Attempted Murder in connection with an incident that occurred in Point Pleasant Borough on August 22, 2022.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhime said on August 22, 2022, Officers from the Point Pleasant Borough Police Department responded to a residence on Butler Avenue for a report of an unconscious female.
Responding Officers found the unconscious female victim with serious injuries to her head and neck area, officials said.
Authorities say the victim was thereafter transported to Hackensack Meridian Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township.
Due to the nature and extent of her injuries, the victim was transferred to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she was treated and eventually released, officials say.
Officials said an investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Point Pleasant Borough Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Santiago-Rojas had assaulted the victim on August 22, 2022.
According to officials, Santiago-Rojas was initially charged with Aggravated Assault on August 23, 2022, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
A fugitive from justice, Santiago-Rojas’ name was entered in the National Crime Information Center database, authorities say.
Officials stated that on December 8, 2023, Santiago-Rojas was taken into custody by law enforcement authorities in Wilmington, North Carolina.
On January 12, 2024, officials said Santiago-Rojas was extradited to New Jersey and is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Further investigation, officials say, by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit indicated that Santiago-Rojas assaulted the victim and strangled her to the point of unconsciousness on August 22, 2022.
As a consequence, Santiago-Rojas was additionally charged with Attempted Murder on January 22, 2024, officials said.
According to officials, Santiago-Rojas was served with the new charge by way of complaint-warrant at the Ocean County Jail.