Raritan Man Charged In Axe Attack On Local Resident: Prosecutor

RARITAN, NJ — A 53-year-old Raritan man has been arrested and charged after police say he attacked a borough man with an axe, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office(SCPO) announced on Thursday.

Johnathan W. Beatty has been charged with second-degree aggravated assault in the incident, which authorities said took place just before 1 a.m. on July 3.

Police went to West Somerset Street after receiving reports that a Raritan man had been attacked. Once there, officers found the man bleeding profusely from cuts to his back and arm, which had been caused by an axe, SCPO Michael Robertson said.

The victim, who has not been identified by authorities, was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

An investigation determined that Beatty and the other man knew one another and began to argue. Robertson said that the axe attack was believed to be isolated and caused by the argument. Beatty was arrested on Saturday and remains in the Somerset County Jail where is awaiting a bail detention hearing.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Raritan Police Department at 908-725-6700 or via the STOPit app.

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.