BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Two Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) have been charged with aggravated assault following an incident at the Crystal Lake Rehabilitation Facility in Berkeley Township, authorities announced.
Local legend claims the building was initially built by Al Capone during the days of prohibition and that the famous mobster used the hotel as a link between New York City and Atlantic City where alcohol was less restricted, in the middle of the Pine Barrens. To date, nobody has been able to confirm this rumor absolutely.
Dhenmark Francisco, 28, of Toms River, and Jovi Esperanza, 31, of Beachwood, were charged in connection with the October 14 assault of a 52-year-old male patient at the facility. The Berkeley Township Police Department launched an investigation after being contacted by facility authorities the following day.
According to police, the assault occurred around 11:45 a.m. and left the patient in critical but stable condition. He was initially treated at Community Medical Center in Toms River before being transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick for further care.
Francisco was arrested without incident at the rehabilitation facility on October 15 and taken to the Ocean County Jail. Esperanza voluntarily surrendered to police that same day and was also lodged at the Ocean County Jail. Both are awaiting detention hearings.
The investigation is ongoing.