A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a violent carjacking and stabbing of an Asbury Park taxi driver last month, Howell Township Police announced, while a second suspect remains at large, authorities said today.

As previously reported by TLS, the attack occurred after a late-night fare ended in a secluded parking area.

The incident occurred on January 16, 2026, at approximately 11:15 p.m., when a Howell Township patrol officer found a 46-year-old taxi driver bleeding from the face on Old Tavern Road. The officer immediately rendered aid, and the victim reported that he had just been attacked by two passengers.

According to investigators, the two men had taken a taxi from Neptune to a parking lot across from the entrance to Oak Glen Park. Upon arrival, one of the passengers produced a knife and slashed the driver in the face before the pair stole the taxi and fled. The injured driver managed to escape on foot and was later located by police.

A short time later, responding Howell officers located the stolen taxi abandoned on Maxim Road. A perimeter was set up and a K-9 track was initiated, but the suspects were not located at that time. The vehicle was recovered and seized.

The victim was treated at Jersey Shore Medical Center for a facial laceration and was listed in stable condition.

Following further investigation led by Detective Vincent Bonner, police identified one of the assailants as Melvin J. Cruz-Salmoran, 19, a foreign national of Mexico last known to reside in Neptune Township. On February 1, 2026, he was charged with first-degree carjacking, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

On February 3, Howell detectives, working with the FBI’s Jersey Shore Safe Streets Task Force, located and arrested Cruz-Salmoran in Neptune Township. Authorities said other individuals at the residence attempted to conceal his whereabouts.

Also taken into custody at the scene were Jose Luis Acevedo Jimenez, 27, a foreign national of Mexico, who faces federal immigration charges for allegedly lying to agents; Jennifer Lopez, 22, of Neptune, who was charged locally with providing false information to authorities; and Jovanni Cruz-Salmoran, 29, also a foreign national of Mexico, who was arrested by federal agents on a warrant of removal after ICE confirmed his status.

Melvin Cruz-Salmoran was processed at Howell Police Headquarters and transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending further court proceedings. Acevedo Jimenez and Jovanni Cruz-Salmoran were taken to ICE’s Newark Field Office for processing, while Lopez was processed in Neptune and released pending a future court appearance.

Detectives continue to investigate and are seeking to identify and apprehend the second suspect involved in the attack. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Vincent Bonner at 732-938-4575 ext. 2647.