LAKEWOOD – A local man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for abusing his ex-girlfriend and leading police on a chase.
Jorge Juarez Mendoza, 24, of Lakewood, was sentenced on charges of Aggravated Assault, Eluding, and Criminal Mischief.
He has been in prison since his arrest on September 7, 2019. Police said they spotted a car speeding in and out of traffic on New Hampshire Avenue. Mendoza was driving, but the vehicle belonged to his ex-girlfriend, Marcela Alban. After eluding the officers, he crashed into multiple vehicles on Ocean Avenue.
Mendoza climbed out of the passenger-side window, over Alban, who was unconscious inside. He was arrested, and it was determined his Blood Alcohol Content was .14. Alban was treated for her injuries at Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, in Lakewood.
It was later learned that Mendoza had arrived at Alban’s home earlier that day and forced her into the car with him by assaulting her and threatening her children. While driving recklessly through Lakewood, he would assault her as she pleaded with him to stop.
The Criminal Mischief charge was in relation to him vandalizing her vehicle a few weeks earlier.
Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer commended Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the outstanding efforts exhibited by the Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit in connection with this investigation which led to Mendoza’s arrest, and ultimately his lengthy state prison sentence.
