Ocean Co. Man Pleads Guilty In 2018 Carjacking; DNA In Bite Mark, Blood ID'd Him In 2021

BAYVILLE, NJ — A Bayville man pleaded guilty to a 2018 Lakewood carjacking where he attacked a woman who escaped as he drove away, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

John Bailey, 35, was identified in 2021 through DNA testing that matched his DNA to blood left behind in the car when he abandoned it, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

On Dec. 5, 2018, a 20-year-old Lakewood woman was sitting inside her car outside of her home around Hearth Court when a man came up to her and asked for directions and a ride, Billhimer said. She gave him directions but declined giving a ride, Billhimer said.

A short time after, the man came back, pounded the car's window and broke the glass, Billhimer said. He got in the car and sat on the victim, starting to choke her, Billhimer said.

The man drove away while the victim was trapped inside, Billhimer said, and threatened to kill her if she did not keep quiet.

The woman was able to open the passenger side door and jumped out while the car was in motion, Billhimer said. She ran to a nearby house to call Lakewood police.

She was taken to Monmouth Medical Center in Lakewood for treatment of injuries including a bite mark to her leg, a laceration on her head and wounds to her neck, Billhimer said.

Billhimer said that the car was found later in the day in Jackson with blood stains on the rear driver's side door and quarter panel.

Bailey was identified as the unknown male after the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences was able to match DNA from the vehicle's blood stain to Bailey, Billhimer said.

A court-ordered buccal swab was taken from Bailey on Oct. 13, 2020 and compared to DNA profiles taken from the blood stain and bite marks on the victim's leg, Billhimer said. The match was confirmed on Jan. 4, 2021 and Bailey was charged with carjacking on a warrant the next day.

Bailey was arrested in Perth Amboy on Jan. 26, 2021, and taken to Ocean County Jail, where he has stayed since, Billhimer said.

Bailey will be sentenced on August 12, 2022, where the State will recommend a term of 25 years in New Jersey State Prison, Billhimer said.

Billhimer acknowledged the outstanding efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Lakewood Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office/United States Marshals Service Task Force, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, for their collective efforts in connection with this investigation, leading to Bailey’s apprehension, guilty plea, and soon his lengthy state prison sentence.