A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a violent carjacking and aggravated assault of a taxi driver in Howell Township last month, police announced.

According to the Howell Township Police Department, the incident occurred on Jan. 16 at approximately 11:15 p.m., when a patrol officer located a man in distress on Old Tavern Road who was bleeding from the face. Officers rendered aid and determined the victim was a 46-year-old taxi driver employed by an Asbury Park–based taxi company.

Police said the victim reported that at the conclusion of a fare, one of two Hispanic male passengers slashed him in the face with a knife before stealing his vehicle. The victim fled the scene on foot and was later located by an officer who was proactively patrolling the area.

Investigators determined the suspects had hailed the taxi in Neptune Township and requested to be taken to a parking lot across from Oak Glen Park. Upon arrival, one suspect allegedly produced a knife and assaulted the driver, while both suspects fled in the stolen taxi. The vehicle was later found abandoned on Maxim Road. A perimeter was established and a K-9 track was conducted, but the suspects were not located.

The victim was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center, where he was treated for a facial laceration and listed in stable condition.

Following further investigation led by Detective Vincent Bonner, police identified one of the alleged assailants as Melvin J. Cruz-Salmoran, 19, a foreign national of Mexico who was last known to reside in Neptune Township. Cruz-Salmoran was charged on Feb. 1 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 Tuesday, Howell Township detectives, working with the FBI Jersey Shore Safe Streets Task Force, located and apprehended Cruz-Salmoran in Neptune Township. Police said other individuals at the residence attempted to conceal his whereabouts.

Also taken into custody were Jose Luis Acevedo Jimenez, 27, who faces federal immigration charges for allegedly providing false information to authorities; Jennifer Lopez, 22, who was charged locally with providing false information; and Jovanni Cruz-Salmoran, 29, who was arrested on a warrant of removal after federal agents contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and confirmed his status.

Cruz-Salmoran was transported to the Howell Township Police Department for processing and later lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending further court proceedings. Acevedo Jimenez and Jovanni Cruz-Salmoran were transported to ICE’s Newark Field Office. Lopez was processed by Neptune Township police and released pending a future court appearance.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue efforts to identify and apprehend the second suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Vincent Bonner at 732-938-4575, ext. 2647.