LAKEWOOD – An Ocean County man was sentenced to prison for striking a police car and then eluding, just to get out of a speeding ticket.
Kevin Valverde-Cruz, 21, of Jackson, was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison for Aggravated Assault. Additionally, he received a five year term for eluding, which will be served at the same time.
According to authorities, Valverde-Cruz was speeding in Lakewood while driving a white Jeep Grand Cherokee on October 18, 2022. When officers attempted to pull him over, he sped onto the Garden State Parkway. A pursuit began but was ultimately terminated due to public safety concerns, officials said.
Later that evening, the Jeep was spotted, with Valverde-Cruz inside, on the shoulder of the westbound lane of Central Avenue in Lakewood. When officers made contact with Valverde-Cruz, he did not comply and proceeded to put the car in reverse and struck a detective’s car. Valverde-Cruz then abruptly turned back into the roadway – almost striking the detective – and fled the area, police said.
After authorities identified the driver, a search warrant was performed at his home in Jackson Township on January 10. Valverde-Cruz was arrested without incident and processed at Lakewood Township Police Department. Police said the white Jeep Grand Cherokee was located at the home.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Madeline Buczynski who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Detective Bureau, Lakewood Police Department Patrol Division, Jackson Police, Howell Police, Ocean County Regional SWAT, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Valverde-Cruz’s guilty pleas, and now his state prison sentence.
