Man Charged With Attempted Murder Of Cop In South Brunswick Car Attack

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - A New Brunswick man was apprehended and charged with attempted murder of a police officer after a long search, Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said Thursday.

U.S. Marshals arrested Luis Duval-Jimenez, 31, of New Brunswick early Wednesday, ending a months-long manhunt.

On May 15, North Brunswick officers were monitoring Duval-Jimenez's room at Hotel Vincenza on Route 1 in South Brunswick, as part of an investigation into car thefts and fraud across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

When officers approached Duval-Jimenez as he entered a Honda Accord in the parking lot, he accelerated and rammed their police vehicle. North Brunswick Lt. Frank Vitelli was exiting the patrol car when the impact pinned his leg in the doorframe, breaking his ankle, police said.

A loaded handgun fell from the Honda's driver's side door during the struggle before Duval-Jimenez fled the scene.

Vitelli was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and continues to recover from his injuries.

Police also arrested two associates in connection with the incident. Angelica Hernandez-Mayrena, 25, of New Brunswick was charged with criminal trespass, while Bryan Sanchez, 20, of New Brunswick was charged with hindering apprehension. Both were released on summons.

Duval-Jimenez faces charges of attempted murder of a police officer, resisting arrest, and weapons possession for unlawful purposes. He is being held at Middlesex County Correction Center pending his court appearance.

South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka and North Brunswick Police Chief Joseph Battaglia thanked the U.S. Marshals Service and Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office for their assistance in the case.