Stafford Twp., NJ - On July 31, 2024, Stafford Township Police was notified by the sales manager at Causeway Ford of a suspicious transaction.  The customer was attempting to purchase a 2022 Honda CRV and the sales manager grew suspicious of the transaction based on some of the information submitted by the subject.  The investigation revealed that the male suspect had provided a fraudulent driver's license to the dealership and a stolen social security card belonging to a resident in Puerto Rico.

On August 1, 2024 at approximately 1:00 PM, Stafford Township Detective Bureau conducted an undercover operation where a staged meeting was set with the suspect at the dealership.  Upon his arrival he was apprehended and identified as Jose R. Hernandez-Valerio (28 years old of San Juan, Puerto Rico).  He was charged with the following on a complaint warrant: 2C:21-2.1C Exhibiting a False Government Document, 2C:21-17.3A Identity Theft, 2C:5-1A(1)/2C:20-4 Attempted Theft by Deception.

Hernandez-Valerio was lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a court appearance in the Ocean County Superior Court.  Detective Jacob Conner was the arresting officer.

As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release arrest photos of defendants. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.