Police, Fire & Courts

Cop Spots Man With Butcher Knife Chasing Victim on Route 88

by
Daniel Nee
February 26, 2016

Jose Trejos Zamora (Photo: Ocean County Jail)

A Lakewood man is behind bars after police say they came across him chasing another man on Route 88 while carrying a butcher knife.

The incident happened over the Lakewood border on Route 88, according to Lakewood police, who arrested the suspect in the case, Jose Trejos Zamora, 25. Officer Kristie Buble was on patrol, traveling east on Route 88 at about 3 a.m., when she saw what she perceived to be one man chasing another, police said in a statement.

While turning her patrol car around, she saw the man later identified as Zamora reach into his waistband and pull out a large butcher style knife and throw it to the ground as he continued to chase after the other man.

Buble was able to position her car between the two men, exit it and then draw her weapon while ordering Zamora to stop. Additional responding officers assisted in securing Zamora.

The victim, a 23-year-old Toms River man, told the officers that Zamora attempted to rob him at knifepoint. He then fled on foot until discovered by Buble, according to police.

An investigation by Detective Peter Aakjer and Officer Charles Messer resulted in Zamora being charged with robbery and weapons violations. Bail was set at $250,000 cash and he was later transported to Ocean County Jail. According to jail records, Zamora is a citizen of El Savador.