Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson today announced the arrest of a man suspected of stabbing another to death in Lakewood.

Dmitrii Dorzhinov, 53, of Lakewood was arrested in connection to the murder of Gela Suqiashvilli, 54, also of Lakewood.

On Tuesday, at approximately 1:04 am, the Lakewood Police Department received a 911 call through the Howell Police Department in which the Russian speaking caller through language line reported that a stabbing had occurred at 149 East Kennedy Boulevard, Building 4, Apartment 7, Lakewood, New Jersey. The Lakewood Police Department subsequently dispatched Officers to the apartment who knocked on the door and received no response from inside.

Lakewood officers proceeded to check the apartment complex area and located Dmitrii Dorzhinov several doors down from apartment 149. Dorzhinov spoke Russian to the Officers who located him. The Officers utilized language line to communicate with him and learned that Dorzhinov was involved in an altercation within apartment 149 with the occupant.

Lakewood Police Officers immediately responded back to the apartment and forced entry finding a victim, later identified as Gela Suqiashvilli, sitting on a chair unresponsive and suffering from multiple puncture and slash wounds to his upper torso and face. Monoc Medic Unit 207 was immediately summoned to provide medical aid, however, Suqiashvilli was pronounced dead 1:48 am. Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crime Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI were notified and responded to assist in the investigation.

As the crime scene was being processed, Dmitrii Dorzhinov was taken to the Lakewood Police Headquarters where OCPO Major Crimes Detective John Murphy and Lakewood Police Detective Oscar Valmon continued the investigation. Lakewood Police Officer Tymur Zavalnyuk, who speaks Russian, was able to communicate with Dorzhinov and provided translation assistance. The investigation alleges that Dorzhinov and the victim began to wrestle, which escalated and resulted in the stabbing. Dorzhinov then made the 911 call reporting the stabbing after leaving the residence.

Executive Assistant Prosecutor Michael Paulhus reviewed the case investigation and approved the charges of Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. The Honorable Judge Rochelle Gizinski, J.S.C., approved the arrest affidavit, along with complaints, and set bail at 1,000,000 cash. At approximately 9:30 am, Dorzhinov was arrested on the above charges and remanded to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail.

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