4-13-2024 6:25pm

Raritan Borough: Man Arrested for Aggravated Assault in the Borough of Raritan

Donnella Tilery Editor

RARITAN BOROUGH, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Raritan Borough Chief of Police Raymond Nolte announced the arrest of Jose M. Cruz-Guzman, age 31, of Somerset Street, Raritan, New Jersey in relation to a stabbing which occurred on Monday, April 1, 2024, in Raritan Borough.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Monday, April 1, 2024, at approximately 3:57 a.m., the Raritan Borough Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting an adult male victim with a stab wound to his hand. Upon arrival, officers from the Raritan Borough Police Department located the victim, a Raritan Borough resident, who advised that he had been stabbed by Jose Cruz-Guzman during a verbal altercation.

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for his injuries and subsequently released. Detectives from the Raritan Borough Police Department, the New Jersey State Police - Somerville Barracks and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to investigate. On Monday, April 1, 2024, as a result of this investigation, defendant Cruz-Guzman was located in Raritan Borough and taken into custody without incident. Defendant Cruz-Guzman was charged with 3rd degree Aggravated Assault, 3rd degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and 4th degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Defendant Cruz-Guzman was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter. Prosecutor McDonald would like to thank officers from the Somerville Police Department and troopers from the New Jersey State Police Somerville Barracks for their assistance with this investigation.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, and Chief Nolte request that anyone with information relating to the assault to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Raritan Borough Police Department at (908) 725-6200 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. NOTE: The charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.