Wild Ride, Scuffles In Jackson Lead to Carjacking, Kidnapping Counts

A hair-raising escapade in a car and a pair of violent scuffles in Jackson lands a township 35-year-old in serious trouble with the law.

Jose Guzman was arrested Wednesday afternoon outside Crawford Rodriguez Elementary, where they say he attacked his victim in violation of a restraining order. He's charged with carjacking, kidnapping, assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, hindering apprehension, assault, and stalking, in addition to the restraining-order offense.

Police say Guzman approached and established contact with the holder of the restraining order, who was in the driver's seat of a car.Investigators say Guzman opened the door, punched and choked the victim and took control of the wheel with the victim alongside and the victim's young child in the back seat.

According to the report, Guzman drove to the Rite Aid lot on North New Prospect Road and emerged from the car, at which point his victim regained control of it and tried pulling away. Guzman, police say, clung to the driver's side door through the open window as it swooped and swerved on the approach to the school.

Investigators say Guzman eventually lost his grip and was hurled from the car, then was approached by an officer who asked if he was hurt and told bystanders to call 911. Guzman, police say, insisted on no police intervention, telling the officer that the victim had a restraining order against him.

Once the officer identified himself and ordered Guzman to sit, say authorities, Guzman tried punching him and a strugle ensued. Guzman was reated for his car-related injuries at Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood and then processed at Jackson Police Headquarters.

Investigators say Guzman was also the subject of warrants in Florence and Jackson for violation of a restraining order. A judge in Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River set bail at $250,000.

Police are looking for witnesses. Detective Sergeant Frank Mendez is handling the investigation, 732-928-1111.