Illegal migrant carjacking suspect arrested by fbi in georgia after fleeing new jersey

A second suspect wanted in a January carjacking in Howell Township has been arrested in Georgia and is awaiting extradition back to New Jersey.

Howell Township, NJ – Authorities have arrested a second suspect connected to a January carjacking in Howell Township, according to the Howell Township Police Department. Investigators identified the suspect as 20-year-old Baldemar Sandoval-Herrera of Asbury Park.

Police said Sandoval-Herrera fled New Jersey during the investigation after an arrest warrant was issued. He was captured in Richmond County, Georgia. Officials there say Sandoval-Herrera had an active ICE detainer.

Key Points

• Baldemar Sandoval-Herrera, 20, arrested in Georgia in Howell Township carjacking case
• Suspect faces charges including first-degree carjacking and aggravated assault
• Second suspect was previously arrested and remains in Monmouth County custody

Suspect located out of state

Detectives from several agencies continued working the case with the FBI Task Force to locate Sandoval-Herrera after he left the state.

Authorities said he was eventually tracked down and arrested in Georgia, where he is currently being held in a county jail while awaiting extradition to New Jersey.

Multiple serious charges filed

Investigators charged Sandoval-Herrera with first-degree carjacking, second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

Police said the charges stem from a violent carjacking that occurred in Howell Township earlier this year.

Second suspect already in custody

The other suspect in the case, 19-year-old Melvin J. Cruz-Salmoran of Neptune Township, was arrested Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Authorities said Cruz-Salmoran remains in custody at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution as the case proceeds through the court system.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.