The Toms River man who brutally attacked a woman by stabbing her while she was driving along North Bay Avenue and was later detained by a group of good samaritans has now been charged with attempted murder.

Jesse Rucci, 39, who has been inside the Ocean County Jail since his arrest on March 23, will remain there pending trial on the aforementioned charge plus Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

On the afternoon of March 23, a woman was driving through Toms River when suddenly along North Bay Avenue near Whitty Road, her passenger, Rucci, started allegedly stabbing her while she was behind the wheel.

She was able to thwart off enough of the attack to pull over to the side of the road and get out but Rucci chased after her to continue with his ruthless attack.

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It's not known what provoked the attack on the woman.

A good samaritan who saw what was unfolding stepped in on behalf of the woman and was able to restrain Rucci until Toms River Police arrived on the scene around 4:45 PM.

The woman attacked by Rucci was taken to the hospital for treatment of her injuries.

(Photo Courtesy: Ocean County Prosecutors Office)
(Photo Courtesy: Ocean County Prosecutors Office)
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Prosecutor Billhimer said that the detention hearing for Rucci Tuesday was handled by Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Victoria Esler, and he credits "the Toms River Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their collective efforts in connection with this investigation."

While Rucci was caught, arrested, and brought to court, there are many people out there still wanted for their alleged crimes:

Have You Seen Them? Ocean County's Most Wanted

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