A New Jersey man was arrested Saturday night on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault after a fight outside a restaurant that left a man in critical condition.
Michael Lombardo, 36, of Barnegat Township, is accused of assaulting Robert Bethanis, 44, also of Barnegat Township, outside Lighthouse Tavern in Waretown, N.J. Police said officers responded to a call at about 8:35 p.m. Saturday and found Bethanis outside the establishment, unconscious and suffering from serious injuries.
Witnesses told police they saw Lombardo hitting and kicking Bethanis just outside the front door of the tavern.
Bethanis was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.
Lombardo was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault. He remains in jail on $150,000 bail.
It wasn't immediately clear whether Lombardo knew the victim or if there was a motive in the assault. The Ocean County Prosecutor's office said investigation was ongoing.
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