JACKSON – A man who followed a woman home and cut her face has pleaded guilty, police said.
Michael Mahan, 38, of Ewing Township, pled guilty to Eluding, Terroristic Threats, Aggravated Assault, and Driving While Intoxicated. He faces a possible term of eight years for Eluding, and five years each for Terroristic Threats and Aggravated Assault.
The victim – whose identity was not revealed – had been followed to her Maria Street home on May 8 by Mahan, police said. He was a complete stranger who initiated a confrontation with her over an alleged road rage incident.
She told police how the suspect had punched her and threatened to kill her as he held a knife to her throat and then slashed her face. Mahan fled the scene after a neighbor intervened and called 911.
The victim gave a description of Mahan’s car which was spotted by Sgt. Michael Kelly on Toms River Road. When Sgt. Kelly tried to pull him over, the suspect drove away speeding.
The high-speed chase resulted in the suspect hitting two cars, injuring the occupants. One car was hit at the intersection of West Veterans Highway. As the suspect continued to speed away, he hit a second car, forcing it off the road and into the woods across from the Switlik School.
The suspect’s car was finally disabled after the second crash and police arrested Michael Mahan, 38, of Ewing Township. The car was later impounded and the knife used in the incident was recovered.
The stabbing victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment while those involved in the car accidents by the suspect were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
After further conducting the investigation, police found that Mahan was involved in a separate incident with a Lakehurst Avenue resident just before the stabbing. Mahan reportedly threatened the victim after parking in front of his residence.
Police found that his blood alcohol level was .14, nearly twice the legal limit.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer acknowledged the efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Veni who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as Jackson Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
