Attempted Murder Charge in W. Deptford Stabbing

PRESS RELEASE
June 23, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO

Jacob Rodriguez (DOB 11/9/76) was arrested Wednesday night (6/22) on charges that he attempted to murder his 26-year-old girlfriend by stabbing and slashing her earlier in the evening in the Red Bank Run apartment they shared in West Deptford NJ.

Critically injured in the attack was Brittany L. Hickman, who is in the trauma unit of Cooper Medical Center, Camden. West Deptford police found her semi-conscious and bleeding outside apartment building “R” shortly after 6 p.m. She had sustained multiple knife wounds but was able to reach the door of a neighbor, who made the 911 call.

Rodriguez, who had at least one prior domestic violence incident involving Hickman last year, surrendered through a friend to officers from several law enforcement agencies in Runmemede NJ at 10:16 p.m. He drove away from West Deptford in a Mercury automobile, which police recovered. He is being held in the Gloucester County Jail, Woodbury in default of $200,000 bail on attempted murder and weapons charges.

Two children in the household, a five-year-old son of Hickman’s and a two-year-old daughter who was the child of Hickman and Rodriguez, have been placed through the State Division of Youth and Family Services with relatives.

The incident is being investigated by the West Deptford Police Department and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office major crimes unit, assisted by the GCPO crime scene and fugitive units.

In the 2010 domestic violence case, West Deptford police charged Rodriguez with stalking and harassment of Hickman on June 23. A temporary restraining order was issued and later withdrawn by Hickman. With Hickman’s concurrence, the charges were remanded to West Deptford municipal court, where they were placed on “hold” 1/18/11 for a six month period and would have been dismissed had no other incidents occurred.