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THREE ARRESTED IN DEATH OF LAKEWOOD MAN

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Lakewood Township Police Chief Robert Lawson announce today arrests in with the death of Miguel Rivera, 45, of Lakewood, New Jersey. The joint investigation by the OCPO Major Crimes Unit and Lakewood Township Police developed information implicating two Sussex County men in the Burglary/Murder event and overcame defendant Jesus Roman’s mothers attempts to hinder the investigation.

The arrests stem from the death investigation of Miguel Rivera, whose body was found at his Laguna Lane home on Christmas Eve by Lakewood Police Officers responding to his residence as part of a well-being check. Police had received a call from Rivera’s family reporting that they hadn’t heard from him in several days. When officers entered the home at around 8 pm on December 24th, they found Rivera’s body lying face down in the hallway. He appeared to have suffered trauma to his head.

Yesterday (1/4/16), Jesus Roman, 24, and Carlos Lagunes, 23, were both charged with one (1) count of Murder, one (1) count of Burglary, and one (1) count of Hindering, in the death of Miguel Rivera. The Honorable Wendel Daniels, set bail for both Roman and Lagunes at $1,000,000 cash only.

On 1/4/2016, Carlos Lagunes was located and arrested at a Sussex Pizzeria by Troopers from the New Jersey State Police, Sussex Barracks acting on an arrest warrant issued by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit at approximately 4:10 pm. A short time later, Jesus Roman was arrested at his residence, located at 3B Church Street, Sussex, N.J., by OCPO Major Crimes Det. John Murphy and Lakewood PD Ptl. Chase Messer.

Also during the course of the investigation, Jesus Roman’s mother, Evelyn Rodriguez, 46, was taken into custody on December 29th, 2015 at the New Jersey State Police Barracks in Sussex (Augusta), NJ and charged with one count of Hindering. Her bail was set at $250,000, with a 10% option.

The lead investigators in the case were OCPO Major Crimes Unit Det. Ray Gardner and Lakewood Police Ptl. Mike Mooney. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI processed the crime scene and provided evidence collection/preservation throughout the murder investigation.

JESUS ENRIQU ROMANJESUS ROMAN

CARLOS EDWARD LAGUNESCARLOS EDWARD LAGUNES

EVELYN RODRIGUEZEVELYN RODRIGUEZ

The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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