Crime & Safety
'Senseless Attack' On Wildwood Boardwalk Injures Off-Duty Cop: Police
The officer received a concussion and facial fractures in what authorities said was an unprovoked assault by a group of young men.
WILDWOOD, NJ — An off-duty police officer was assaulted by a group of young men while he was exercising on the Wildwood Boardwalk, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland and Wildwood Police Department Chief Joseph Murphy said Friday.
The unprovoked assault happened Wednesday evening when the man, only identified as an off-duty Stone Harbor cop, was working out, authorities said. The officer received a concussion and facial fractures as a result of the attack, authorities said.
Five men traveled to Wildwood from Camden and Gloucester counties and were responsible for the attack, officials said. Arrest warrants and court-authorized search warrants were executed in these counties, leading to the arrests of Isaiah Ortiz, 19; Elijah Williams, 19; William Jewell, 20; Manuel Ortiz, 21 and Maliky Reyes, 20.
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“The collaborative efforts of our office and the Wildwood Police Department have been instrumental in swiftly identifying those responsible for this senseless attack,” said Sutherland. “We will continue to work tirelessly to hold those accountable for their actions and ensure that justice is served for the victim.”
Isaiah Ortiz of Lindenwold was charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit assault and failure to render aid to a victim. He was jailed at the Cape May County Correctional Facility.
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Williams of Deptford was charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit assault. He was also jailed at the Cape May County Correctional Facility.
Jewell (Magnolia), Manuel Ortiz (Lindenwold) and Reyes (Stafford) were charged with failure to render aid to a victim. All three were released on a summons.
This is an ongoing investigation. Sutherland and Murphy ask that anyone who may
have additional information relating to this investigation contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office 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
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