SOUTH BRUNSWICK — A person who was being assaulted at a hotel used FaceTime to alert a relative who contacted police.
Officers arrived within minutes and captured the suspect after he fled down the highway shortly after 7:30 a.m. on March 5, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Police Department.
The incident began when police received a call from a person stating their relative was being assaulted at the La Mirage Motor Inn on Route 1. The relative told the police dispatcher that the victim was currently on FaceTime and the suspect was nearby, according to the statement.
Officer Craig Cleffi arrived to find the victim in the parking lot with lacerations and swelling to the head and face. Nearby in a Silver Toyota Corolla was the alleged suspect, Jaron Thomas, 25, of Somerset. Cleffi reportedly told Thomas to stop the vehicle, but Thomas accelerated and drove around the officer onto Route 1 south, according to police.
Officer William Beard was driving northbound on Route 1 and observed the Toyota Corolla going southbound, according to reports. He attempted to catch up to Thomas, who reportedly turned into the parking lot of Hotel Vincenza. Thomas then pulled behind the hotel building in an alleged attempt to lose the officer, according to the statement.
Beard eventually located Thomas in the rear lot parked between several other vehicles.
Thomas allegedly provided officers with a false name and identity. He was charged with aggravated assault, obstruction of justice and hindering his apprehension. He was lodged in the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center pending his first court appearance.
The victim was taken to an area hospital and is receiving treatment for facial fractures, according to police.
South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka credited the use of social media and a fast police response for the suspect’s capture.
“The victim used social media to notify a relative of the ongoing assault. The officers’ rapid response caught the suspect still on scene near the victim when the suspect fled. A victim was saved from further harm and a suspect captured because of the coordination of all those involved,” Hayducka said. “When seconds count, use whatever tools you need to contact police for help. The relative, police dispatcher and officers did a great job getting the victim the needed help.”