Lakewood Man Charged With Murder in Stabbing of Another Resident

A Lakewood man is being charged with murder for stabbing a 29-year-old man in the chest at a business on 2nd Avenue on Monday night.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced on Tuesday that Jorge Santiago-Garcia, 32, is also being charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.

Lakewood Police were first to the scene Monday after receiving several 911 calls and upon arrival they found Rodrigo Jimenez-Paz suffering from a stab wound to his chest.

Medical units transported Jimenez-Paz to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Through their investigation the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Lakewood Police Department identified Jorge Santiago-Garcia as the individual who stabbed and killed Jimenez-Paz.

Santiago-Garcia remains in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.