MANVILLE BOROUGH, NJ (Somerset County) – A Hunterdon County man has been arrested in connection with a homicide on Thursday in Manville Borough, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
On July 14, at around 2:56 p.m., police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting an assault outside a residence on North 12th Avenue and an unconscious male, McDonald said.
Upon officers arrival, police encountered an unresponsive male suffering from a severe head injury and initiated life saving measures. The victim, who was identified as Augustine Garcia, 50, of Manville Borough, was transported to an area hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead, McDonald said.
According to McDonald, the 9-1-1 caller identified Samuel C. Coggins, 30, of Flemington, who remained at the scene, as the individual involved in the physical assault of Garcia. Coggins was then transported to the Manville Police Department.
The investigation revealed that Coggins was at the residence to assist Garcia and an unnamed resident with moving from the residence. Coggins then assaulted Garcia while outside in the driveway of the residence causing injuries which led to his death, McDonald said.
The investigation is on-going and a post-mortem examination will be performed by the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death, McDonald said.
Coggins was charged with first-degree murder and then lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, McDonald said.
Anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-575-3300 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
