Lakewood Man Sentenced To 10 Years For 2019 Aggravated Assault

LAKEWOOD, NJ – A Lakewood man has been sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison for aggravated assault, officials announced Monday.

Jorge Juarez Mendoza, 24, has been in the Ocean County Jail since he was arrested on Sept. 7, 2019, when Lakewood Police encountered a car speeding and swerving in and out of traffic on New Hampshire Avenue northbound. When officers attempted to stop the car, which was driven by Mendoza, the car eluded officers, crashing into multiple vehicles on Ocean Avenue before finally coming to a stop, according to officials.

When officers approached the car, Mendoza climbed out of the passenger side window. Police also discovered an unconscious woman, later identified at Marcela Alban, strapped into the passenger seat, according to a press release from the Ocean County prosecutor's office.

It was later learned the car belonged to Alban, who had previously dated Mendoza. Alban was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, where she was treated for her injuries and released.

Mendoza was arrested at the scene after officers detected a strong odor of alcohol and observed Mendoza acting erratically, according to the release.

According to officials, Mendoza appeared at Alban's home earlier that day and forced her into the car with him by assaulting her and threatening her children. He then drove recklessly through Lakewood, hitting her as she pleaded with him to stop. Mendoza continued to assault her until the car crash, officials said.

At Lakewood Police headquarters, Mendoza agreed to a blood alcohol test, revealing a blood alcohol concentration of .14.

Mendoza had previously been charged on Aug. 24, 2019 with criminal mischief for vandalizing Alban's vehicle. He accepted responsibility for this criminal act as part of his plea agreement on Sept. 23, 2020.

Mendoza was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for his previously entered guilty plea to eluding and three years in prison for driving while intoxicated. The sentences will run concurrently. His driving privileges were also suspended for six months.