Police Charge Keyport Man with Kidnapping and Assault of Ex-Girlfriend

The Aberdeen Township police have charged Akira K. Lukwago-Jones, 22, of West Front Street, Keyport, with kidnapping and simple assault in connection with an incident that occurred on Sunday, according to police officials.

At approximately 7:00 a.m. on September 21, Lukwago-Jones’ 18-year-old former girlfriend came to police headquarters and reported that at approximately 1:30 a.m., Mr. Lukwago-Jones came to her home on Randall Way, gained entry and pulled her outside. He is then alleged to have put her into his vehicle and drove her to multiple locations where he punched, choked, and kicked her numerous times, Chief John Powers said. She was able to escape in Keyport, where she contacted a friend who brought her to police headquarters.

While the victim was at headquarters it was learned that Mr. Lukwego-Jones had returned to the Randall Way
location. While responding there, Officer John Young and Officer Frank Maisano spotted his vehicle turning onto South Atlantic Ave. Lukwago-Jones attempted to elude the officers by driving into the Strathmore Gardens apartment complex. He got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. When the officers caught up with him he began to fight and resist their efforts to take him into custody, according to police records. After a struggle he was subdued and taken into custody. He was additionally charged with eluding, resisting arrest, aggravated assault on a police officer, and several motor vehicle offenses.

Bail was set at $225,000 with no 10% option. He was committed to Monmouth County Correctional Institution in
default of bail. His 2006 Mitsubishi was seized pending forfeiture proceedings.

P.O. Mary Johnston was the arresting officer on the initial incident. Det. Manny Carabel, P.O. Michael Plant, and Sgt. Michael Lasko assisted.

An arrest is not a conviction, and every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.