Man Charged in Alleged Assault in New Year's Day Incident

New Year's Day shoppers on Asbury Avenue during Ocean City's First Day celebration were witness to more than post-holiday sales.

Several patrol cars and officers responded to the 800 block of Asbury Avenue at 11:03 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, after neighbors reported that they could hear yelling and screaming coming from a residence.

As police arrived they saw a person running from the scene toward the nearby headquarters to flee and report an alleged attack.

At the residence, police officers located a suspect and one female with two children. The suspect was taken into custody by the officers at the scene, according to Ocean City Police Capt. Steven Ang.

The investigation revealed that the accused, Ruy A. Reyes, allegedly attacked the victim with the knife in a bedroom at the residence. The victim fought off the accused and was able to run out of the house without being injured, Ang said.

The victim and the accused have known each other for several months and both reside at the same residence, Ang said. The female was able to show officers where the knife was located in the residence allowing the officers to secure the weapon, he said.

Police are still investigating the motive for the alleged attack. The investigation revealed that Reyes is an illegal alien from Mexico.

A federal detainer was placed on Reyes by the Immigration Department. He is being held at the Cape May County Correctional Facility on $15,000 full cash bail.

The investigation was conducted by Ptl. Robert Koob, Sgt. John Mazzuca and Ptl. Craig Wilson.

Reyes is charged with aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of weapon with unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of weapon and criminal mischief.