02/16/2025
A Red Bank resident was assaulted in his backyard on February 4th by an unknown man who struck him in the head with a metal object, poured gasoline on him, and threatened him with a gun before fleeing. The victim, a Hispanic male living on Bank Street, was found at Riverview Medical Center with severe head injuries and gasoline-soaked clothes. He told police the suspect was a tall, muscular Hispanic male, possibly from El Salvador, wearing a black shirt. Two days later, police received a tip that the suspect was near 75 Bank Street. Officers located a man matching the description, who initially provided talse identification. After further investigation, he was identified as 23-year-old Jose Hernandez-Ruano, a Bank Street resident from El Salvador. Hernandez-Ruano was arrested and charged with: - aggravated assault- weapon possession- hindering apprehension- providing false identification. He has been taken to Monmouth County Jail as the investigation continues.
