Man held in connection to child's death

app.com
Written by
Margaret F. Bonafide | Staff Writer
10:47 AM, Dec. 24, 2011

LAKEWOOD — A day after the funeral of a 12-year-old boy who was killed by a hit-and-run driver, authorities arrested a man they believe is responsible for the death Edward Juarez, said Michel Paulhus of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Jesus Arellano, 40 of Lakewood, is being held on a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision, said Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford.

Police have been scouring the community for information during the past week since the boy’s death on Dec.16.

Authorities conducted a road block in areas near the Clover Street scene Friday night and in the process developed information about a van that had been sitting since that night at a Lakeview Place residence not far from the scene and covered with a tarp, police said.

The vehicle has been impounded, Ford said.

Arellano is an illegal immigrant and is being held without bail in the Ocean County Jail on a detainer from the Immigrations Customs Enforcement.

Leaving the scene of a fatal collision is a second degree crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The investigation is continuing, officials said.

The Lakewood Police has an outstanding rapport with its community and that helped in developing the information necessary to make this arrest, Ford said.

Anyone with information concerning this investigation is asked to contact Detective John Hill of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027 or Sgt. Frank Work of the Lakewood Police Department at (732) 363-0200.

Margaret F. Bonafide: 732-557-5734 or mbonafide@njpressmedia.com

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