Dover stabbing suspect captured in Brooklyn, N.Y.

An undocumented immigrant from Ecuador who is charged with stabbing his ex-wife eight times with a steak knife in Dover on Jan. 25 and then fleeing was apprehended in Brooklyn, N.Y. by Morris County Prosecutor’s Office detectives.

The suspect, identified as William P. Jimbo-Aucapina, 30, of West Blackwell Street, was brought Thursday before Superior Court Judge James DeMarzo in Morristown. At the request of Assistant Prosecutor Reema Kareer, the judge agreed to set bail at $500,000 cash, and ordered that Jimbo-Aucapina have no contact with the victim, a child she has from a prior relationship, and a second child she had with the suspect.

Kareer told the judge that one of the children, a 10-year-old, saw the attack and called 911. The defendant is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. The stab wounds affected “vital organs” in the woman’s body, Kareer told the judge.

“We have a 911 call from the child in common who witnessed the incident,” Kareer said.

The victim was divorced from Jimbo-Aucapina but they were living together in Dover. On Jan. 25, he allegedly used a 6-inch steak knife to stab the woman twice in the chest, twice in the back, three times in the legs, and once in the arm. He also is accused of punching the woman multiple times with a closed fist, according to a criminal complaint.

Jimbo-Aucapina fled the home, authorities said, and was apprehended Wednesday in Brooklyn by Prosecutor’s Office Detective Supervisor Mark Castellano and Detective Tom Rodas, who were present in court Thursday afternoon with the defendant. The criminal complaint was signed by Dover Officer Justin Gabrys. Dover Detective William McCarthy also appeared in court Thursday to serve Jimbo-Aucapina with a domestic violence temporary restraining order.

Jimbo-Aucapina is entitled to a hearing before a Family Court judge, who will hear evidence on whether the restraining order should be made permanent. Nonetheless, he is barred from any contact with the victim through the bail conditions.

After his capture in Brooklyn, the suspect waived extradition to New Jersey. So bail could be set, he first was brought before DeMarzo before being brought to the Morris County jail Thursday afternoon.

Assisted by a Spanish-speaking interpreter, Jimbo-Aucapina said he had a job but hasn’t worked since Jan. 25. He told the judge the $500,000 bail is unaffordable to him. The judge agreed with Kareer that the bail is appropriate because of the seriousness of the offense and the risk that Jimbo-Aucapina -- who is in the country illegally from Ecuador -- could try to flee.

“I won’t be able to afford it,” said the suspect, who is expected to apply for a public defender.

Kareer said the victim is cooperating with authorities and that the suspect allegedly gave authorities a statement admitting to the stabbing. Police also recovered the knife that was used in the assault, Kareer said. She also said that Jimbo-Aucapina has a disorderly persons conviction from municipal court for “misleading a public official.”

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@njpressmedia.com