Somerset County Man Wanted for Backyard Stabbing

Police are searching for a 41-year-old Somerset County man whose been charged with the stabbing of a man at a backyard barbecue in Somerville on Sunday.

Charlton Hitchens, of Somerville, has been charged with:

• Aggravated Assault, 3rd Degree
• Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, 4th Degree
  
• Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, 3rd Degree

“On Sunday, August 16, 2015 Somerville Police received notification from personnel at Robert Wood University Hospital - Somerset that they were treating a stabbing victim that walked into their emergency room at 8:40 p.m.,” according to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Subsequent to Somerville patrols arriving at the hospital to initiate the investigation, the victim was transported to Robert Wood University Hospital in New Brunswick to undergo emergency surgery.”

After an investigation was conducted, it was determined that around 8:30 p.m. the victim “John Doe” got into a physical altercation with Hitchens at the party on Third Street . During the fight, Hitchens stabbed the victim in the stomach and left forearm with a sharp object, police say.

Hitchens has not been apprehended.

Somerville Police are asking anyone who knows of his whereabouts to please call the Somerville Police Detective Bureau at 908-725-6900.