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A Monmouth County grand jury returned a 13-count indictment against a young couple charged with the robbery and murder of Trupal Patel, 29, of Brick, according to a news release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Patel’s body was discovered on the side of the road in Shark River Park on Feb 22, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said.

Joseph Villani, 21, of Parkview Avenue in Ocean Township, and his girlfriend Raquel Garajau, 20, of Frontier Way in Tinton Falls, are each charged with first degree murder, first degree robbery, first degree felony murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of an assault Rifle, second-degree disturbing or desecrating human remains, three counts of fourth-degree tampering with evidence, third-degree hindering apprehension of oneself, third-degree hindering apprehension of another, and third-degree tampering with a witness.

The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean Township, Wall Township, and Asbury Park police departments.

A Monmouth County Park ranger who was collecting litter in the area discovered the body along the side of Gully Road and down a slight slope, officials said. The ranger reported the discovery at approximately 8:37 a.m. and Wall Police Department was dispatched.

Patel had been reported missing to the Asbury Park Police Department by a friend on Feb 9. A black 2003 Jaguar Patel was driving prior to his disappearance was discovered abandoned on an Asbury Park street on that same day.

Detectives determined the murder/robbery occurred at Villani’s Ocean Township residence and that Garajau conspired to commit the crimes, destroy and conceal the evidence.

Villani was arrested on Feb 25 and was detained without bail. He faces life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder or first-degree felony murder. Garajau faces life in prison or a minimum 30-year term if convicted. Both are subject to the No Early Release Act [NERA] provisions, requiring them to serve 85 percent of any sentence above the minimum 30-year sentence.

They also face  a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted of the first-degree robbery, a maximum of 10 years if convicted of either of the second-degree weapons offenses, a custodial prison term of up to 10 years if convicted of second-degree disturbing or desecrating human remains, a maximum of five years for the third-degree charges, and 18 months for the fourth degree charges.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Melanie Falco and Stephanie Dugan. Villani is represented by Edward C. Bertucio, Esq., of Eatontown, and Garajau is represented by Robert Honeker, Esq., of Ocean Township.

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