WILDWOOD – Five men have been arrested and charged with an unprovoked attack on an off-duty Stone Harbor police officer in Wildwood March 12, authorities said.
According to a press release issued by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, the assault occurred on the boardwalk on the evening of March 12. The off-duty officer sustained significant injuries, including a concussion and facial fractures.
Wildwood detectives, working with the Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit, quickly determined that the attack was unprovoked and occurred while the officer was exercising on the boardwalk, the release said.
The detectives were able to identify a group of individuals who had traveled to Wildwood from Gloucester, Camden and Ocean counties and who were responsible for the attack. Arrest and search warrants were executed in both counties, leading to the arrests of Isaiah Ortiz,19; Elijah Williams, 19; William Jewell, 20; Manuel Ortiz, 21, and Maliky Reyes, 20.
- Isaiah Ortiz, of Lindenwold, was charged with second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree conspiracy to commit assault, and third-degree failure to render aid to a victim. He was lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center.
- Williams, of Deptford, was charged with second-degree aggravated assault and second-degree conspiracy to commit assault. He was lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center.
- Jewell, of Magnolia, was charged with third-degree failure to render aid to a victim and released on a summons.
- Manuel Ortiz, of Lindenwold, was charged with third-degree failure to render aid to a victim and released on a summons.
- Reyes, of Stafford, was charged with third-degree failure to render aid to a victim and was released on a summons.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information relating to it is urged to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit at 609-465-1135, the Wildwood Police Department Detective Division at 609-522-0222 or anonymously through the Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips.
