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Friday, nov 8
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Franklin Township Police Department
Obituaries
Remembering Sophia DeTorres, NJ High Schooler Killed On First Day Of School
Life was only beginning for Sophia DeTorres. The 16-year-old North Hunterdon High School student was a competitive and award-winning dancer of 11 years and had been looking at colleges, preparing for life's next chapter, according to her obituary on the Martin Funeral Home website. Sophia, who also ran cross country and track, visited Boson College, Cornell, and Wake Forest, on her early shortlist, and was hoping to major in psychology "in keeping with her drive to help people," her obituary says. But life was cut short for Sophia on Thursday, Aug. 22, when she was killed in…
Police & Fire
Sudden Death Of 'MVP' Police Detective Greg Wilson Shakes NJ Town
The Franklin Township (Somerset County) Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its own. Detective Greg Wilson died on Wednesday evening, Nov. 22, at the Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township, his obituary says. He was 47 years old. “Greg was one of our MVPs,” said Franklin Township Director of Public Safety, Quovella Maeweather. “He is definitely a part of our family and an intricate part of our department. This is a great loss in multiple ways.” Wilson was born on Nov. 15, 1976 in Summit and had been living in Flemington. He started as a patrolman with FTPD…
Police & Fire
Dad Drowns After Saving Three Kids In Somerset County River
A 42-year-old dad has died a hero. UPDATE: Police ID Dad Who Drowned Saving Kids In Millstone River The South River dad went into the Millstone River and brought his children, ages 8, 11, and 13 to shore, around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, Franklin Township police said. He, however, struggled to maintain his balance. Thus began a search for the victim, as his children were treated at the scene and released without further medical attention. Members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office dive team found the man's body just before 5:30 p.m. His name was being withheld p…
Police & Fire
NJ Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Prosecutor
A New Jersey bus monitor has been arrested following the death of a 6-year-old girl who died during a bus ride this week, authorities said. Amanda Davila, 27, of New Brunswick, has been charged with second-degree Manslaughter, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, after fastening the harness of a child's wheelchair too tight, blocking her airway, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. An investigation found that Davila, who was assigned as the school bus monitor, had fastened the girl's 4-point harness that secures her to her wheelchair too "to become tight a…
Police & Fire
NJ Track Star Killed In 3-Car Somerset County Crash
Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal Somerset County crash as a 23-year-old high school graduate and track star. Mario Heslop, of New Brunswick, was behind the wheel of a 2013 Infiniti Q50S heading eastbound in the left lane of Hamilton Street when he crossed the centerline around 5:30 p.m. in Franklin Township on Monday, June 19, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Heslop struck a westbound vehicle in the left lane, at the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue, McDonald said. The second vehicle, driven by a Hillsborough resident, was then struck from the rear by a th…
Police & Fire
Attempted
Murder
: NJ Man Shot Car Twice In Road Rage Incident Near 287 Ramp, Prosecutor Says
A Somerset County driver has been charged with attempted murder after becoming “irate” and firing two rounds at another vehicle during a road rage incident earlier this month, authorities announced. Gerald S. Chapman, 39, of Ulysses Road in Somerset, was charged with first-degree attempted murder and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Tuesday, May 23. Investigators say Chapman “became irate” during a road rage incident on Easton Avenue near the 287 ramp in Franklin Township around 4:50 p.m. on Friday, May 5. …
Police & Fire
Brother Of NJ Bank Robber ‘Crazy Mike’ Arrested On Identical Charges: Prosecutor
The brother of accused Millstone bank robber “Crazy Mike” was arrested on identical charges, authorities announced on Wednesday, April 5. Ryan Gaboff, 37 of Millstone, was charged with second-degree counts of robbery and conspiracy in connection with the robbery of a bank on Route 27 in Franklin Township on Aug. 22, 2022, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a release. His brother, Michael, nicknamed "Crazy Mike,” evaded police for nearly three months with the help of family members, 66-year-old Alan Gaboff, 60-year-old Sharon Gaboff, and 23-year-old Jesse Gaboff, each of who…
Police & Fire
NJ Coach, Teacher Sentenced For Sexual Assault Of Student
A former teacher and coach has been sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison for sexually assaulting a student, authorities said. Matthew Rennie, 29, of Ringoes, in Hunterdon County, was sentenced on Friday, March 17, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald. Rennie was arrested on Oct. 6, 2021, after a 17-year-old girl reported to Franklin Township Police that she was sexually assaulted by Rennie, who is employed at a private educational institution in Somerset County, McDonald said. McDonald did not name the institution in Franklin Township. The victim dis…
Police & Fire
Fentanyl, Cocaine Dealer Busted At NJ Hotel: Prosecutor
A 35-year-old man allegedly was busted with a variety of drugs at a Somerset hotel, authorities said. Anthony L. Banks of North Brunswick was charged with numerous drug offenses, according to Franklin Township police and the Somerset County prosecutor. Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Banks' arrest was the result of a two-month investigation of drug deals allegedly taking place at a hotel on Cedar Grove Lane in Somerset. On Monday, Feb. 27, Banks was arrested by Task Force Officers as he exited the unnamed hotel without incident, McDonald said. A warranted search of Banks' hotel room yiel…
Police & Fire
PSE&G Worker Killed, Suspect Dead In Somerset County: Prosecutor
An employee at PSE&G was fatally shot before the suspect — a former worker — apparently died by suicide in Somerset County, authorities said. Gary T. Curtis, 58, of Washington, is believed to have shot Russell D. Heller, 51, of Milford, around 7 a.m. at the company's headquarters on Weston Canal Road, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Emergency Medical Personnel from an area Trauma Center responded to the scene where Heller was pronounced dead. Curtis was found by detectives having suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 10:20 a.m., in a parking lot in Bridgewate…
Police & Fire
Murder
: Charges Upgraded For Ex-Marine In NJ Sports Bar Shooting, Police Say
Charges against a former US Marine have been upgraded to murder after the victim who he shot in the head outside of a New Jersey sports bar died, authorities confirmed. Walter J. Gilliano, 25, of Franklinville, was initially charged with attempted murder, after he shot 31-year-old Chad Stuart in the head outside of Villari's Sports Bar around 4:45 a.m. Saturday, according to the Franklin Township Police Department. Stuart died on Sept. 27, when he became an organ donor, and Gilliano's charges were subsequently upgraded, police confirmed. According to Gilliano's LinkedIn profile and people…
Police & Fire
Horse Dead, Teen Girl Hurt In South Jersey Hit-Run Crash: Police
A horse was killed and its 14-year-old rider hurt in a hit-and-run crash in Gloucester County, authorities said. The crash occurred at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13 on Monroeville Road in Franklin Township, police said. A girl from Sicklerville was riding along the westbound shoulder when they were struck by an unidentified older-model, light-colored pickup truck, police said. A 21-year-old man from Camden was riding a second horse but was not hurt. The truck also was traveling westbound. The girl was taken to Cooper Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The…
Police & Fire
NJ Murder Suspect Who Dumped Body In Woods Nabbed In Philadelphia: Prosecutor
A man who shot his victim and then apparently dumped his victim's body in a wooded area of Central Jersey was captured nearly two years later in Philadelphia, authorities announced. Juaquan S. Fitzgerald, 33, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Duane S. Banks, 27, whose body was found in a wooded area in Franklin Township on April 29, 2020, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Banks' body was found in a wooded area toward the back of a home near Park Street around 6:40 p.m. that day, police said. The medical examiner's office rule…
Police & Fire
Some Details Released In Death Of 2-Year-Old Pulled From Hot Car In NJ
Authorities have disclosed some details surrounding the death of a 2-year-old girl pulled from a hot car Tuesday, Aug. 30. An off-duty firefighter and neighbor was performing CPR on the toddler when authorities arrived at the scene on Summerall Road in Franklin Township around 2:20 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Officers assisted in life-saving measures until Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital ALS and BLS medics arrived and took over. The girl was pronounced deceased at the scene. It was not clear exactly how long the girl had been in the car. The circumstan…
Police & Fire
Woman Escapes Hour-Long Hotel Hostage Situation With Kids In Room: Somerset Prosecutor
A 39-year-old Georgia man was drunk when he became angry and held woman at gunpoint for nearly an hour in a Central Jersey hotel room in front of her children, then shot her, authorities said. The victim, 37, was ultimately able to escape from Eder Gelin with gunshot wounds to her foot and hip, as he chased her from a room at a World's Fair Drive hotel in Franklin Township around 1:25 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Gelin, who knew the victim, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, weapon possession and child endangerment …
Police & Fire
Two Hospitalized Following Hunterdon County Rollover Crash
Two victims were hospitalized following a rollover crash in Hunterdon County, authorities said. The Quakertown Fire Company responded to the wreck near Lower Landsdown and Sidney Road in Franklin Township around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 8, the department said. Crew members worked to rescue the two trapped victims while mitigating on-scene hazards. ALSO SEE: One Dead, 2 More Hurt As Car Carrier Runs Red Light, Hits Van At Hunterdon County Intersection The victims were safely extricated and taken to Hunterdon Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, the fire depart…
Police & Fire
Motorcyclist Killed In Central Jersey Crash Was Aspiring Mechanic
Nelisson De La Rosa was just more than a year out of high school and had a bright future ahead of him, those who knew him said. He was an aspiring mechanic and, no matter the circumstance, had a positive attitude. The 19-year-old Franklin Township resident died in a Somerset crash Wednesday, July 20, leaving his single dad to grieve the loss of yet another son. More than $6,800 had been raised as of Thursday, July 21 on a GoFundMe to help bring his body to the Dominican Republic, where his mother lives. De La Rosa collided with a Toyota Camry turning left on Easton Avenue …
Police & Fire
Bomb Threat Unfounded At NJ ShopRite
A bomb threat made at New Jersey ShopRite Wednesday, July 20 was unfounded, authorities said. Officers were called to the supermarket on Elizabeth Avenue in Somerset just before 1 p.m., Franklin Township police said. A K-9 officer from the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office also responded to the store to help with the search, and no suspicious packages or items were discovered. Anyone having information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Franklin Township Police Department at (732)873-5533.
Police & Fire
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor
A 25-year-old woman wanted on warrants out of multiple Central Jersey towns arrested for leading a Route 202 police pursuit before crashing, authorities said. Police tried stopping Jerrie Lee Williams, of Bound Brook, around 11:05 p.m. in Branchburg when they noticed she had an expired registration, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Williams failed to stop when signaled by the officer activating his emergency police lights and siren, McDonald said. Instead, she fled on Holland Brook Road at a high rate of speed. The officer deactivated his police emergency l…
Police & Fire
Bridgewater Motorcyclist, 43, Killed In Crash With Pickup Truck
A 43-year-old motorcyclist from Bridgewater was killed in a crash with a pickup truck, authorities confirmed. Luis Ruiz was riding a 2014 Harley Davidson northbound on Canal Road near Elm Street in Franklin when he collided with a 2019 Ford F250 pickup truck heading southbound around 8:25 p.m. on Monday, June 6, township police said. Ruiz was treated at the scene before being taken to a local trauma center, where he was pronounced dead around 9:40 p.m. Princeton resident Octaviano Chavez, 56, was behind the wheel of the truck, which was towing an enclosed trailer, authorities said. Canal …
Police & Fire
Update
: Missing Somerset County Woman, 29, Found Safe
UPDATE: Dover has been located and is safe, authorities confirmed. --------------------------- Seen her? Authorities in Somerset County are seeking the public’s help locating an endangered 29-year-old woman who has been missing for more than a week. Shekinah D. Dover, of Franklin Township, was last seen walking on Grove Street towards Main Street in Somerville around 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 29, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said in a release with local officials on Tuesday, June 7. She was reported missing to the Franklin Township police department by her mother arou…
Police & Fire
Victim Flown To Trauma Center Following Hunterdon ATV Crash
A victim was flown to a nearby trauma center following an ATV crash in Hunterdon County, authorities said. The Quakertown Fire Company responded to the crash in Franklin Township on Sunday, May 29. Initial reports stated that the accident occurred on Oak Grove Road shortly before 9:40 p.m. A NorthStar medical helicopter was requested to land at Sky Manor Airport to take the victim to a local trauma center for treatment of multiple injuries. Assisting agencies include the Franklin Township Police Department and HMC Paramedics.
Police & Fire
NJ Police Officer Was Drunk In Deadly Warren County Crash: Prosecutor
A 46-year-old police officer in New Jersey was arrested for driving drunk in a deadly crash earlier this year in Washington Township (Warren County), authorities said. Lawrence Stiscia, a patrol officer with the Franklin Township Police Department in Somerset County, had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.201 percent when he fatally struck a motorcyclist on March 18 on northbound Route 31, according to the Warren County Prosecutor's Office. The federal limit for driving legally is 0.08 percent blood alcohol content. An investigation determined that Stiscia ran into the back of the mo…
Police & Fire
Ski Masked Men Demand Cash From NJ Victim In Midnight Home Invasion
A trio of ski masked men broke into a New Jersey home wielding handguns and fled with the owner’s cash over the weekend, according to authorities who are seeking clues on their identities. Franklin Township Police responding to the home invasion report on Cedar Grove Lane were told by the owner that three men had forced their way in through the garage entrance shortly before 12:35 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said in a release alongside local officials. The armed men — donning ski masks and gloves — fled after demanding money from the homeow…
Police & Fire
Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor
The driver who struck and killed a pedestrian earlier this year was arrested, as was a woman who lied about the incident to police, authorities in Central Jersey said. Raulito Peralta, 22, of Highland Park, struck and killed New Brunswick's Treasa M. Daye-Fennie while she was crossing a street in Franklin Township last February, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Estrella Caballero-Cruz, 21, of Highland Park, was charged with providing a false report to police. Daye-Fennie was crossing Somerset Street near High Street around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22, wh…
Police & Fire
FBI Helps Nab Pair In Deadly New Jersey Barbershop Shooting
Two 30-year-old men including one from Georgia were arrested with help from the FBI in a barbershop shooting that left a 34-year-old Somerset County man dead, authorities said Thursday. Todd C. Smith, of Edison, and Tayyab A. Ware, of Augusta, GA, were each charged with first-degree murder, robbery and weapon possession following the Nov. 2 killing of 34-year-old Denny Sanchez, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said in a joint release. Franklin Township police officers responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls around 8:40 p.m. for reports of a shooting at a Hamilton Street barber…
Police & Fire
Pedestrian Struck And Killed By Car In Franklin
A man attempting to cross the street in Franklin Tuesday night was killed when he was struck by a car, police said. The man, whose identity was withheld pending notification of next of kin, was struck by an eastbound Kia Sorrento driven by a Somerset resisdent shortly before 10 p.m. The fatal crash occurred on Amwell Road near Doria Road. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team at (908) 231-7100, or Officer Jose Jaime of the Fr…
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