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Missing Wharton Resident Indicted on Attempted Murder, Carjacking Charges

March 25, 2008: A Morris County Grand Jury returned an eleven count indictment charging Juan Rendon, age 40, of Wharton, with:

One count of First Degree Attempted Murder

One count of First Degree Carjacking

One count of First Degree Kidnapping

One count of First Degree Robbery

One count of Second Degree Aggravated Assault

Two counts of Third Degree Aggravated Assault

One count of Third Degree Terroristic Threats

One count of Third Degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes

One count of Fourth Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon

One count of Fourth Degree Unlawful Taking by Means of Conveyance

These charges stem from an incident which allegedly occurred in Dover on July 21, 2007. At approximately 7:00 p.m., eyewitnesses observed an individual, believed to be the defendant, chasing two other men while holding a knife. It is alleged that the defendant then stabbed one of the other two men multiple times, causing severe and life threatening injuries. The defendant then jumped into a nearby taxi and ordered the driver at knifepoint to drive him to Wharton. The defendant has not been arrested and remains at large.

The matter was jointly investigated by the Dover Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff's Office.

If convicted of the above charges, the defendant faces a potential custodial sentence of 30 years in New Jersey State Prison.

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.

The investigation is continuing and anyone with information on this case, including the whereabouts of the defendant, is encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Town of Dover Police Department at 973-366-0302 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office CrimeStopper Program at 973-COP-CALL (973-267-2255).

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio


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