Suspect Of Manhunt Threatened To Kill Woman: Ocean Prosecutor

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The man who sparked a daylong search in Ocean County was indicted Tuesday for attempted murder, kidnapping and other charges relating to the Nov. 21 incident.

Miguel Angel-Villegas previously threatened to kill his then-girlfriend if she didn't drive him from Connecticut to New Jersey, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office revealed Wednesday.

His girlfriend was driving when a Tuckerton officer pulled them over. She sped away and hit another vehicle, the OCPO said. Angel-Villegas got out and started firing at the officer before escaping on foot, according to authorities. The officer wasn't injured.

Subsequent investigation determined he ordered the woman to give the officer a fake name, the OCPO said. He also threatened her with a handgun and forced her to speed away, according to the OCPO's recent revelations.

A daylong manhunt ended when authorities captured Angel-Villegas that evening in New York Penn Station.

Villegas, 29, of New Haven, Connecticut, was indicted for the following:

• attempted murder
• kidnapping
• unlawful possession of a firearm
• possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose
• being a certain person not to possess a firearm
• eluding
• two separate counts of aggravated assault
• hindering apprehension or prosecution
• resisting arrest

He is in Ocean County Jail as he awaits arraignment.

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