Man With Knife In Bloody Hands Charged In Lakewood Stabbings: PD

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood man found standing in the middle of Clifton Avenue holding a large knife with blood-covered hands on Sunday evening has been charged with aggravated assault, Lakewood police said Tuesday.

Melvin Torres, 27, of Lakewood, was arrested Sunday evening after Officer Kevin Seunath found Torres standing in the middle of the road, Lakewood Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said.

Two people were stabbed following an argument, Staffordsmith said. Michael Lazzaro, 49, of Ocean Township, and Jose Ruiz-Sabas were taken to a local hospital for evaluation but their wounds appeared to be minor, he said.

Seunath was driving south on Clifton about 7:30 p.m. when he found Torres standing in the middle of the road. He got out and, at gunpoint, ordered Torres to drop the knife and lie on the ground, Staffordsmith said.

Torres complied and with the assistance of Officer Michael Grant, was arrested and the knife recovered.

Staffordsmith said two other people reportedly sustained minor burns after Torres threw hot water on them.

Torres was charged with aggravated assault and several weapons offenses, Staffordsmith said. It was not clear whether he was still in custody on Tuesday.

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Lakewood Patch on Facebook.