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Monmouth County, NJ

Ex-Con Sentenced For Home Invasion, Sexually Assaulting Woman In Asbury Park: Prosecutors Ex-Con Sentenced For Home Invasion, Sexually Assaulting Woman In Asbury Park: Prosecutors
Ex-Con Sentenced For Home Invasion, Sexually Assaulting Woman In Asbury Park: Prosecutors An Asbury Park ex-convict will spend more than three decades in prison after he was convicted of a home invasion and sexual assault, authorities said. Shawn Connolly, 37, was sentenced on Tuesday, Apr. 23 to 40 years in prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced in a news release. He'll be eligible for parole after 34 years under the No Early Release Act. Asbury Park police responded to a home on Seventh Avenue just before 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Officers immediately found Connolly, arrested him, and recovered what he stole from his pockets. Investigat…
Human Remains Found At NJ Construction Site Not Believed To Be Suspicious: Prosecutors Human Remains Found At NJ Construction Site Not Believed To Be Suspicious: Prosecutors
Human Remains Found At NJ Construction Site Not Believed To Be Suspicious: Prosecutors Foul play was not suspected after human remains were found at a Jersey Shore construction site, authorities said. An analysis of the skeletal remains hasn't shown any evidence of the people's deaths being suspicious, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago and Wall Township police Chief Sean O'Halloran said in a news release on Friday, Apr. 19.  The remains were found on the 1100 block of Narrumson Road in Wall Township on Tuesday, Mar. 12. Work had just started on the foundation of a new home when the remains were discovered. A state police anthropologist perf…
Central Jersey Man Who Killed Father, Hid His Body Sentenced: Prosecutors Central Jersey Man Who Killed Father, Hid His Body Sentenced: Prosecutors
Central Jersey Man Who Killed Father, Hid His Body Sentenced: Prosecutors A Monmouth County man will spend more than 20 years in prison after admitting to killing his father and hiding his body in their home almost two years ago, authorities said. Kenneth Knapp Jr., 32, of Matawan, was sentenced on Thursday, Apr. 18 to 30 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release. He pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 23 to first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree desecration of human remains. Matawan police were called to the family's home on Matawan Avenue on Sunday, May 1, 2022, for a welfare check on 58…
NJ Ex-Con Featured On 'America's Most Wanted' Sentenced For Deadly Stabbing NJ Ex-Con Featured On 'America's Most Wanted' Sentenced For Deadly Stabbing
NJ Ex-Con Featured On 'America's Most Wanted' Sentenced For Deadly Stabbing An Ocean County ex-convict and parolee once featured on the TV show "America's Most Wanted" will spend more than a decade in prison after admitting to his role in the stabbing death of another man, authorities said. Angelo Grenci, 47, of Berkeley Township, was sentenced on Friday, Apr. 19 to 20 years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He pleaded guilty on Monday, Jan. 29 to aggravated manslaughter in the killing of 50-year-old Carlton Williams of Seaside Heights. Toms River and Berkeley Township police responded to RWJBarnabas C…
NJ HS Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Freed From Jail Until Trial NJ HS Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Freed From Jail Until Trial
NJ HS Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Freed From Jail Until Trial A Mercer County high school teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student several times at a Monmouth County wildlife preserve was released from jail to await her trial, authorities said. A judge denied a request on Wednesday, Apr. 17 to keep 37-year-old Jessica Sawicki of Point Pleasant Beach in jail through her trial, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said. She was charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Sawicki was arrested on Monday, Apr. 8, according to an affidavit obtai…
NJ Golfer Returning To U.S. Women's Open After Reaching Leaderboard While In High School NJ Golfer Returning To U.S. Women's Open After Reaching Leaderboard While In High School
NJ Golfer Returning To U.S. Women's Open After Reaching Leaderboard While In High School A Monmouth County golfer who was in high school while on the leaderboard of an LPGA major tournament's final round is returning to the event three years later. Megha Ganne qualified for the 2024 U.S. Women's Open after winning a U.S. Golf Association qualifying tournament on Monday, Apr. 15. The Holmdel native finished six under par in the two-round event in El Macero, California. Ganne shared pictures on Instagram of the official invitation to her third LPGA major. "US OPEN BOUND!!" Ganne posted. "[It's] been a while since one of these, grateful for another U.S. Women's Open opp…
Maserati Driven By 82-Year-Old Leaves Pedestrian Critical In Route 35 Crash: Prosecutor Maserati Driven By 82-Year-Old Leaves Pedestrian Critical In Route 35 Crash: Prosecutor
Maserati Driven By 82-Year-Old Leaves Pedestrian Critical In Route 35 Crash: Prosecutor A man is fighting for his life after he was struck by a luxury sports car while crossing a busy road in Monmouth County, authorities said. Wall Township police responded to the crash involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Route 35 and Warren Avenue at around 11:22 a.m. on Monday, Apr. 15. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago released new details about the wreck in a news release on Thursday, Apr. 18. Investigators said an 82-year-old man driving a 2007 Maserati was making a left turn onto Route 35. The driver hit a 78-year-old man who was crossing the road from east to west in…
NJ Mom Tells BOE Teacher Sexually Abused Daughter, Investigation Launched (VIDEO) NJ Mom Tells BOE Teacher Sexually Abused Daughter, Investigation Launched (VIDEO)
NJ Mom Tells BOE Teacher Sexually Abused Daughter, Investigation Launched (Video) A Monmouth County teacher is under investigation after a student's mother accused her of sexually abusing her daughter. The upset parents of a 13-year-old girl confronted the Marlboro Township Board of Education at a regularly scheduled workshop meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 16. The girl's mother claimed her daughter was "molested" in a hallway of Marlboro Memorial Middle School. ALSO SEE: Hateful Email, Bomb Threat Prompts Delayed Opening In NJ District Probing Teacher For Abusing Student Marlboro Township Public Schools During her public comment, the mother identified t…
Douglas Yorke Jr., Passionate Author From Jersey Shore, Dies After Easter Sunday Crash Douglas Yorke Jr., Passionate Author From Jersey Shore, Dies After Easter Sunday Crash
Douglas Yorke Jr., Passionate Author From Jersey Shore, Dies After Easter Sunday Crash A Monmouth County author died from his injuries after an SUV struck him while he rode his bike on Easter Sunday, authorities said. Douglas Yorke Jr., 72, of Red Bank, was hit by a black 2017 Honda HR-V at around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 31, a Shrewsbury police spokesperson said. The crash happened on Samara Drive, just south of Obre Place. Yorke was brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune to be treated for his injuries. He died at the hospital on Thursday, Apr. 11, according to his obituary. The driver stayed at the scene of the crash. No charges or summonsed have bee…
Jersey Shore Reservist Admits Scamming Grieving Army Families Out Of $3.7M In Death Benefits Jersey Shore Reservist Admits Scamming Grieving Army Families Out Of $3.7M In Death Benefits
Jersey Shore Reservist Admits Scamming Grieving Army Families Out Of $3.7M In Death Benefits UPDATE: A ruthless now-former military reservist from Monmouth County admitted scamming the survivors of soldiers killed in war out of $3.7 million. Caz Craffy, 41, of Colts Neck, used his role as a counselor with the United States Army to pocket $1.4 million by exploiting the grief of Gold Star families, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Craffy – who’s also known as “Carz Craffey” – “used lies and deception” to defraud two dozen families of what he told them were investments, the U.S. attorney said. For many, it was the only money they had. Whenever a member of the a…
Scooter Rider Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer, State AG Says Scooter Rider Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer, State AG Says
Scooter Rider Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer, State AG Says A man riding a motorized scooter was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Route 35 in Monmouth County that involved a local police officer, state authorities said. The crash occurred on the highway's southbound side near Sunset Avenue in Ocean Township shortly after 9 p.m. Monday, April 15, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said on Tuesday. The identity of the scooter rider, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was temporarily being withheld, as was the name of the on-duty Ocean Township officer, Platkin said. Neither the officer nor anyone else involved in the crash was injured, …
NJ Teacher Admits Having Unprotected Sex With Student 5X Or More: Affidavit NJ Teacher Admits Having Unprotected Sex With Student 5X Or More: Affidavit
NJ Teacher Admits Having Unprotected Sex With Student 5X Or More: Affidavit A Mercer County high school teacher admitted to sexually assaulting a student multiple times times in a vehicle at a Monmouth County wildlife preserve, according to police paperwork obtained by Daily Voice. Jessica Sawicki, 37, of Point Pleasant, was arrested on Monday, Apr. 8, and charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. New Jersey Fish and Wildlife officers found Sawicki and the victim "in states of undress" in the back of the victim's car at Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in Upper…
Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors
Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors A Monmouth County woman was indicted after she was accused of driving under the influence of drugs in a crash that killed a young girl, authorities said. Samantha Bonora, 31, of Howell, was indicted by a grand jury, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced in a news release on Friday, Apr. 12. She was charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, and four counts of assault by auto. Howell police responded to a crash on Route 34 near the Colts Neck border at around 4:41 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. Investigators said Bonor…
Man Accused Of Trying To Abduct Girl In South Jersey Crime Spree To Remain In Jail Man Accused Of Trying To Abduct Girl In South Jersey Crime Spree To Remain In Jail
Man Accused Of Trying To Abduct Girl In South Jersey Crime Spree To Remain In Jail A Monmouth County man will remain in jail after he was accused of trying to kidnap a teen girl and groping a woman in a Target parking lot during a two-county crime spree, authorities said. Quamel Benton, 35, of Farmingdale, was ordered by a judge on Wednesday, Apr. 10 to remain in Burlington County Jail through his trial, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He was charged in Ocean County with attempted kidnapping, luring, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal sexual contact, two counts of eluding, resisting arrest, and obstruction. L…
Asbury Park Teen Admits To Raping, Torturing, Killing His Pet Cat: Prosecutors Asbury Park Teen Admits To Raping, Torturing, Killing His Pet Cat: Prosecutors
Asbury Park Teen Admits To Raping, Torturing, Killing His Pet Cat: Prosecutors An Asbury Park teen admitted to raping, torturing, and killing his pet cat, authorities said. Bani Mezquititla, 19, pleaded guilty to third-degree animal cruelty by tormenting, torturing, or unnecessarily or cruelly abusing a living animal resulting in its death, and third-degree animal cruelty by using or causing or procuring the use of an animal or creature in any kind of sexual manner. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the guilty plea in a news release on Wednesday, Apr. 10. Asbury Park police began investigating after someone brought a d…
Motorcycle Driver Crashes Into Cargo Van, Dies In Central Jersey Motorcycle Driver Crashes Into Cargo Van, Dies In Central Jersey
Motorcycle Driver Crashes Into Cargo Van, Dies In Central Jersey A Monmouth County man was killed when his motorcycle crashed into a cargo van, authorities said. William Eckert III, 54, of Eatontown, died in the crash on Monday, Apr. 8, according to a Shrewsbury police spokesperson. It happened at around 2:05 p.m. on Route 35, about 300 feet south of Sycamore Avenue. Eckert was driving a 2016 black motorcycle when he crashed into an unoccupied 2019 cargo van. Paramedics rushed him to Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. Police were investigating the cause of the crash.
Philly Man Accused Of Attacking Man He Knew With Sledgehammer On Jersey Shore: Police Philly Man Accused Of Attacking Man He Knew With Sledgehammer On Jersey Shore: Police
Philly Man Accused Of Attacking Man He Knew With Sledgehammer On Jersey Shore: Police A Philadelphia man was accused of hitting another man in the head with a sledgehammer in Monmouth County, authorities said. Michael Gonzales, 36, was arrested on Friday, Apr. 5, a Middletown police spokesperson said. He was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.  Investigators said Gonzales hit a 64-year-old Edison man in the head several times with a handheld sledgehammer at Crown Tire on Route 36 in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown. The victim was airlifted to Jer…
Jersey Shore Mayor's Son Who Bought $7.6M Worth Of Real Estate Ducked $2M In Taxes, Feds Charge Jersey Shore Mayor's Son Who Bought $7.6M Worth Of Real Estate Ducked $2M In Taxes, Feds Charge
Jersey Shore Mayor's Son Who Bought $7.6M Worth Of Real Estate Ducked $2M In Taxes, Feds Charge A Jersey Shore mayor's son who owed the IRS $2 million never paid it -- and instead bought $7.6 million worth of real estate, federal authorities said following his arrest. Matthew Tucci, 51, of West Long Branch, collected $11.4 million in tax refunds from the country of Denmark for pension plans that he'd established there for friends, acquaintances, and relatives, an indictment returned by a grand jury in Trenton says. Rather than put the money into respective bank accounts that he'd created for the pension plans, Tucci "deposited the funds in five accounts held by five nominee compa…
$150K Powerball Ticket Sold At Jersey Shore Convenience Store $150K Powerball Ticket Sold At Jersey Shore Convenience Store
$150K Powerball Ticket Sold At Jersey Shore Convenience Store A convenience store in Monmouth County sold a winning Powerball ticket worth $150,000, lottery officials said. The New Jersey Lottery said the $150,000 ticket was purchased at Speedy Mart on Main Street in Bradley Beach. The Power Play ticket matched four numbers and the Powerball in the drawing on Wednesday, Mar. 3. The winning numbers were 11, 38, 41, 62, and 65. The Powerball was 15 and the Power Play was a multiplier of three. No one matched all six numbers in the drawing with an estimated jackpot of $1.13 billion. A ticket sold in Camden County was one of nine across the country that …
Woman Crashes SUV Into Concrete Mixer Truck, Dies In Central Jersey Woman Crashes SUV Into Concrete Mixer Truck, Dies In Central Jersey
Woman Crashes SUV Into Concrete Mixer Truck, Dies In Central Jersey A Canadian woman was killed after her SUV crashed into a concrete mixer truck in Monmouth County, authorities said. Howell Township police responded to Route 33 near the intersection of West Renaissance Boulevard at around 10:28 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 2, the department said in a news release. The crash shut down the road in both directions between Yellow Brick Road and Route 34 for about four hours, according to the state Department of Transportation. The 54-year-old woman from Ontario, Canada, was driving west on Route 33 in a Mazda CX-5. She was driving around a curve when her SU…
'Serious' Crash Shuts Down Central Jersey Road For Several Hours: NJDOT 'Serious' Crash Shuts Down Central Jersey Road For Several Hours: NJDOT
'Serious' Crash Shuts Down Central Jersey Road For Several Hours: Njdot A serious crash shut down both directions of a road in Monmouth County for several hours, officials said. Howell Township police said Route 33 was closed between Yellow Brook Road and Route 34 on Tuesday, Apr. 2 for a "serious crash investigation," the department said in a Facebook post.  The state Department of Transportation said it was reported at around 10:45 a.m. Both directions of Route 33 near the intersection with Colts Neck Road remained closed as of 2 p.m. Howell police also asked drivers to avoid the area.
Pedestrian Identified In Deadly Central Jersey Crash Pedestrian Identified In Deadly Central Jersey Crash
Pedestrian Identified In Deadly Central Jersey Crash A pedestrian who was struck by an SUV and killed in Monmouth County has been identified, authorities said. Curtis Davis, 60, of Tinton Falls, died after the crash on Friday, Mar. 29, according to a spokesperson from the Monmouth Country Prosecutor's Office. West Long Branch police responded to Route 36 East near Monmouth Road at around 7:55 p.m. Officers found Davis and paramedics rushed him to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The 38-year-old female driver of a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee remained at the scene of the crash.  The driver had not been charged or given a tr…
Pedestrian Struck By SUV, Killed In Central Jersey Pedestrian Struck By SUV, Killed In Central Jersey
Pedestrian Struck By SUV, Killed In Central Jersey A pedestrian was struck by an SUV and killed in Monmouth County, authorities said. West Long Branch police responded to Route 36 East near Monmouth Road at around 7:55 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 29, according to a spokesperson from the Monmouth Country Prosecutor's Office. Officers found the 60-year-old man and paramedics rushed him to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.  The 38-year-old female driver of a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee remained at the scene of the crash. She had not been charged or given a traffic summons as of Monday, Apr. 1. The Monmouth County Serious Collision Anal…
$15M Lotto Ticket Sold In Monmouth County Amid Hot Streak For New Jersey $15M Lotto Ticket Sold In Monmouth County Amid Hot Streak For New Jersey
$15M Lotto Ticket Sold In Monmouth County Amid Hot Streak For New Jersey Another lottery ticket worth millions of dollars was sold in Monmouth County, officials said. The New Jersey Lottery said a Pick-6 ticket worth $15 million was sold at the Wawa convenience store on Highway 33 in Freehold. The $30 million jackpot was split with another winning ticket in Morris County. The winners were in the Pick-6 drawing on Thursday, Mar. 28. The winning numbers were 13, 27, 32, 36, 37, and 43. This is the latest winner of a massive lotto prize in Monmouth County. The winning ticket in the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday, Mar. 26 was sold at ShopRite W…
116-Year-Old Jersey Shore Market Abruptly Closes, Accused Of Unpaid Debts In Lawsuits 116-Year-Old Jersey Shore Market Abruptly Closes, Accused Of Unpaid Debts In Lawsuits
116-Year-Old Jersey Shore Market Abruptly Closes, Accused Of Unpaid Debts In Lawsuits A Monmouth County market that abruptly closed after more than a century of business is facing several lawsuits for unpaid debts, according to court filings. Sickles Market closed its grocery store in Little Silver in early March. The store had been open on Harrison Avenue since 1908. The market's website had a statement explaining the sudden closure. "It is with heaviest hearts that we have closed the doors on our 116-year-old business at this time," the statement said. "We have been so lucky to have all of you by our side on this long journey, from friends near and far, to our incredible …
Ocean State Job Lot Will Bring Bargains To Eighth New Jersey Location Ocean State Job Lot Will Bring Bargains To Eighth New Jersey Location
Ocean State Job Lot Will Bring Bargains To Eighth New Jersey Location A Rhode Island-based chain of discount stores is expanding in the Garden State. Ocean State Job Lot will open a new location in the Kohl's Plaza on Route 35 in Holmdel. The company announced the newest store in a news release on Thursday, Mar. 28. The store will be in the former Stein Mart location and offer more than 37,000 square feet of shopping space. It was expected to open in the late summer or early fall of 2024, and online job applications will begin in late spring. The location is about 15 minutes from the former Ocean State Job Lot store in Shrewsbury that closed in 2019. "We ar…
COLD CASE: Information Wanted In 1996 Killing Of Jersey Shore Convenience Store Owner COLD CASE: Information Wanted In 1996 Killing Of Jersey Shore Convenience Store Owner
Cold CASE: Information Wanted In 1996 Killing Of Jersey Shore Convenience Store Owner Police in Monmouth County are looking for help finding whoever killed a convenience store owner nearly 30 years ago, authorities said. In a news release on Thursday, Mar. 28, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said law enforcement is looking for new information about the 1996 death of Smita Amin Patel. The 35-year-old from Tinton Falls was killed inside the Little Brown Jug convenience store at the Gables Shopping Center on Route 33 in Neptune City. Investigators said Patel and her husband were co-owners of the store that's across the street from Jersey Shore University M…
NJ Supermarket Celebrates Selling $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket: 'Thrilled For This Community' NJ Supermarket Celebrates Selling $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket: 'Thrilled For This Community'
NJ Supermarket Celebrates Selling $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket: 'Thrilled For This Community' A Jersey Shore supermarket celebrated selling the ticket that earned someone the largest lottery jackpot in the Garden State's history. The New Jersey Lottery said the winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased at ShopRite Wine & Spirits on Route 66 in Neptune. The jackpot reached $1.13 billion in the drawing on Tuesday, Mar. 26. The NJ Lottery held a news conference at the grocery store to formally announce the lucky ticket on Wednesday, Mar. 27. "I used to live in Neptune," said NJ Lottery executive director James Carey. "I live right down the street right now in Monmouth County…
Store That Sold $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket Revealed By NJ Lottery Officials Store That Sold $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket Revealed By NJ Lottery Officials
Store That Sold $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket Revealed By NJ Lottery Officials A Jersey Shore liquor store sold the winning ticket in the eighth-largest lottery drawing in U.S. history, officials said. The New Jersey Lottery said the Mega Millions ticket was purchased at ShopRite Wine & Spirits on Route 66 in Neptune Township. The jackpot reached $1.13 billion in the Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday, Mar. 26. The lucky ticket matched all six numbers. The winning numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29, and 38, and the MegaBall was 4. The liquor store will receive a $30,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. The executive director of NJ Lottery will hold a news confere…
Atlantic County Sisters Charged After Opioids Stolen From Shrewsbury Nursing Home Atlantic County Sisters Charged After Opioids Stolen From Shrewsbury Nursing Home
Atlantic County Sisters Charged After Opioids Stolen From Shrewsbury Nursing Home Two sisters from Atlantic County were accused of stealing prescription drugs from a Shrewsbury nursing home, authorities said. Deborah Baskerville, 38, of Galloway, and Shonte Hall, 36, of Egg Harbor City, were facing charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 26. Their arrests came after an investigation into a theft at Complete Care at Shrewsbury, a skilled nursing facility on Avenue at the Common. Shrewsbury police investigated a theft at the nursing home on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. Investigators said Baskerville used Hall's identity …
MURDER-SUICIDE: Cops ID Couple Found Dead In Jersey Shore Home MURDER-SUICIDE: Cops ID Couple Found Dead In Jersey Shore Home
Murder-suicide: Cops ID Couple Found Dead In Jersey Shore Home A husband killed his wife in a murder-suicide in their Monmouth County home, authorities said. The bodies of 37-year-old Ekaterina Kalyapina and 39-year-old Ilya Gagin were found in a house on Chingarora Avenue on Tuesday, Mar. 19. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced an update in the investigation in a news release on Monday, Mar. 25. The Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted autopsies on the couple. Kalyapina's cause of death was ruled a homicide and Gagin's cause of death was ruled a suicide. Two small dogs were found unharmed inside the home. T…