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Sunday, apr 28
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Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office
Police & Fire
Man Intentionally Set Fires At Central Jersey Property Since December: Police
A Monmouth County man was accused of intentionally setting fires on the same property over the past five months, authorities said. Albert Caporaso, 49, of Hazlet, was arrested on early in the morning on Friday, Apr. 26, the Hazlet Township Police Department said in a Facebook post. He was facing charges for several arsons since Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. A Hazlet officer was watching the South Laurel Avenue home at around 11:56 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 25, when a man matching the suspect's description from previous arsons walked onto the property. The man, later identified as Caporaso, entered a…
Police & Fire
Woman Killed In Early Morning Crash In Central Jersey
A woman was killed in an early morning crash in Monmouth County, authorities said. Manalapan police responded to the crash near the intersection of Route 9 and Ryan Road just before 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, Apr. 25, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release. When officers arrived, they found two vehicles involved in the crash. A woman driving a 2017 Nissan Sentra was rushed to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. A man driving a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee stayed at the scene and was brought to a hospital with minor injuries. No charges or summonses have …
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
Gas Attendant Stole Thousands From Customers At Central Jersey Wawa: Prosecutors
A former Monmouth County gas station attendant was accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers, authorities said. Patrick Brown, 48, of Newark, was indicted by a grand jury on 52 counts, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced in a news release on Wednesday, Apr. 24. He was charged with 13 counts each of third-degree credit card fraud, third-degree false uttering, third-degree theft, and fourth-degree credit card theft. Freehold Township police said the thefts at the Wawa on Route 9 North happened "during a limited amount of time" in August 2023. Bro…
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
Hamilton West 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…
News
NJ Mom Tells BOE Teacher Sexually Abused Daughter, Investigation Launched (
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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…
Police & Fire
Hamilton West Teacher Admit She Had Unprotected Sex With Student Five Or More Times: 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…
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
Hamilton HS West Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student In Wildlife Management Area: Prosecutors
A Mercer County high school English teacher was accused of sexually assaulting a student, authorities said. Jessica Sawicki, 37, of Point Pleasant, was arrested for "having a sexual relationship" with a student, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Apr. 9. She was charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The investigation into the Hamilton High School West teacher began in early 2024. Investigators said Sawicki "engaged in s…
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
Skeletal Remains Found At Jersey Shore Construction Site: Prosecutor
An investigation is under way in a Jersey Shore town where skeletal remains were found, authorities confirmed. The remains were found on a piece of property on the 1100 block of Narrumson Road in Wall Township Tuesday, March 12 where work is being done, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Wall Township Police Chief Sean O'Halloran said. News 12 was the first to break the story, noting human remains were found at an excavation project. What looks very much like SKELETAL REMAINS found at a construction home site in the Manasquan Shores section of Wall Township. M…
Police & Fire
Asbury Park Man Convicted Of Nearly Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend To Death
An Asbury Park man was convicted of nearly stabbing the mother of his child to death, authorities said. A jury found Amando Miguel-Ortiz, 37, guilty on Friday, Mar. 8 of first-degree attempted murder, along with a third- and fourth-degree weapons offense. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the conviction in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 12. Asbury Park police responded to a report of an assault at a home on Second Avenue at around 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 6, 2023. Officers found Miguel-Ortiz's ex-girlfriend with a head injury and she was rushed to a hospital for t…
Police & Fire
Pedestrian Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries In Monmouth County Crash
A man was fighting for his life after he was hit by an SUV while walking across Route 9 in Monmouth County, authorities said. Howell Township police responded to the pedestrian crash near the intersection with Strickland Road at around 5:21 a.m. on Monday, Mar. 11, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. The 27-year-old man was crossing Route 9 when he was hit by a northbound 2020 GMC Terrain. The pedestrian was rushed to the hospital with several life-threatening injuries. The 41-year-old man driving the SUV stayed at the scene. The crash investigation is active an…
Police & Fire
Retired NJ Police Chief Showed Up Drunk To Work, Berated Officers: Investigation Details
A Jersey Shore police chief who retired after a heated argument with one of his sergeants broke more than two dozen law enforcement rules and had an "irretrievably broken" relationship with his officers, authorities said. Former Bradley Beach police Chief Leonard Guida committed 28 violations in seven incidents between July 2022 and November 2023, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said on Friday, March 1, the same day Guida retired — six months early. "The findings outlined in this report illustrate unmistakably that over the previous year and a half, Chief Guida has been an …
Police & Fire
NJ Police Chief To Retire After Investigation Into Argument With Sergeant Caught On Camera
The head of a Jersey Shore police department will step down about three months after a heated interaction between him and one of his sergeants during a crash investigation, officials said. Bradley Beach police Chief Leonard Guida will retire on Friday, Mar. 1, according to a Monday, Feb. 26 statement from Mayor Larry Fox. The mayor said Chief Guida's retirement was six months earlier than the borough anticipated. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office investigated the exchange between Chief Guida and Sgt. William Major, which happened on Thursday, Nov. 9. At a council meetin…
Police & Fire
NJ Police Chief Who Suspended Sergeant During DWI Arrest Center Of Investigation (
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A heated interaction between the chief and sergeant of a Jersey Shore police department in November 2023 has become the center of an investigation, Daily Voice has learned. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said on Wednesday, Feb. 21 that it's investigated the exchange between Bradley Beach Police Chief Leonard Guida and Sgt. William Major, which transpired on Thursday, Nov. 9. Public information officer Mark Spivey confirmed the investigation to the Daily Voice in an emailed statement. Bradley Beach (NJ) police Chief Leonard Guida. Facebook - Bradley Beach Police …
Police & Fire
Eight Dogs Rescued From Jersey Shore Fighting Ring: Officials
Eight dogs were rescued in Monmouth County after a suspected dogfighting ring was uncovered, animal advocates said. According to the Monmouth County SPCA, Neptune Township police responded to a call about animals in distress at a home on Embury Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 3. When officers and SPCA's humane law enforcement division arrived, they followed a concrete path with fresh blood to a backyard garage with dogs barking inside of it. Officers removed the locks and found six dogs inside the garage. They were in separate crates lined with wood chips and dirty from the animals' urine and fece…
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Man Who Recorded Himself Killing Cat Sentenced
A Monmouth County man will spend several years in prison after intentionally killing his cat and assaulting his roommate, authorities said. Christopher Sanchez, 29, of Howell Township, was sentenced on Thursday, Feb. 1 to four-and-a-half years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced. Sanchez pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and simple assault charges on Monday, Dec. 4. Howell Township police were called to Sanchez's home for an "unrelated matter" on Friday, Mar. 31. Officers found the cat's body outside of the home and began an investigation. Investigators fr…
Police & Fire
Woman Was High On Narcotics In NJ Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors
A Monmouth County woman was under the influence of drugs in a crash that killed a young girl last month, authorities said. Samantha Bonora, 31, of Howell, was charged with one count of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, in the Jan. 13 collision that killed Kylie Williams, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on Friday, Feb. 2. Bonora was also charged with driving under the influence and several motor vehicle summonses. Howell police responded to a crash on Route 34 near the Colts Neck border at around 4:41 p.m.…
Police & Fire
Man Identified In Deadly Pedestrian Crash On Jersey Shore Road
Authorities have identified the pedestrian who was killed by a minivan in Ocean Township earlier this week. Yefim Rotsenmar, 68, of Ocean Township died in the crash on West Park Avenue on Tuesday, Jan. 30, a spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said. Ocean Township police responded to the crash at around 5:49 p.m. The avenue was closed for several hours between Poplar Road and Cindy Lane. Investigators said Rotsenmar was crossing the avenue when he was hit by a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan heading west. A 53-year-old man was driving the min…
Police & Fire
Man Struck, Killed By Minivan While Crossing Jersey Shore Road
Police are investigating after a man was killed by a minivan in Monmouth County, authorities said. Ocean Township police were called to a pedestrian crash on West Park Avenue at around 5:49 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on Wednesday, Jan. 31. The crash closed the avenue between Poplar Road and Cindy Lane. Investigators said a 68-year-old man was crossing the avenue "in an undetermined direction" when he was hit by a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan heading west. A 53-year-old man was driving the minivan and was entering the center lane of traff…
Police & Fire
NJ Dealer Who Sold Cocaine To Undercover Cop Sentenced: Prosecutors
A Monmouth County man will spend a dozen years in prison after pleading guilty to selling cocaine to an undercover police officer, authorities said. Tyheim McGhee, 29, of Asbury Park was sentenced on Monday, Jan. 29 to 12 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on Tuesday, Jan. 30. He entered a guilty plea on Monday, Nov. 6. McGhee was sentenced to 12 years for first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute in excess of five ounces, seven years for second-degree distribution of more than a half-ounce of cocaine, and…
Police & Fire
'Skip-Scanning' Monmouth County Officer Shoplifted While In Uniform: Prosecutor
A Middletown police officer is accused of stealing from several discount stores, authorities said. Brenden Santiago, 36, of Tinton Falls, was charged with third-degree shoplifting and fourth-degree attempted shoplifting on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the charges on Thursday, Jan. 25. Online records show Santiago earns upwards of $100,000 a year. Prosecutors said Santiago "skip-scanned" items from a discount department store chain six times in December 2023. "Skip-scanning" is when someone scans cheaper items instead of more expensive ones or pret…
Police & Fire
NJ Teacher Tried Paying Teen For Sex, Sent Graphic Video: Prosecutor
A Monmouth County elementary school teacher is accused of trying to pay cash for a sex act from someone who he thought was a teen girl, authorities said. Thomas Carraher, 26, of Howell, was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 18, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on Friday, Jan. 19. Carraher's LinkedIn bio says: "I am passionate about health, fitness, sports, and educating the youth." Prosecutors said Carraher used a social media app to ask for a sex act from someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl. Investigators also found Carraher sent a graphic picture and …
Police & Fire
'Lives Imploded:' Death Of Toddler In NJ Crash Shakes Life For Grieving Family
One man's coworkers are rallying to support his family after his three-year-old granddaughter was killed in a New Jersey crash last weekend. A GoFundMe page was created in memory of Kylie Williams, who was identified as the toddler killed in a three-vehicle crash on Route 34 in Howell. Kylie's mother Joelle was severely injured in the wreck and has needed multiple surgeries, according to the fundraiser. The GoFundMe page was made by an employee of Lee Wetherington Homes, a house-building company from Sarasota, Florida. Kylie's grandfather, Jack Williams, is the company's vice pre…
Police & Fire
Ex-Jersey Shore Man Gets 20 Years, No Parole For Serial Threats Against Police, Judges, Others
A former New Jersey resident with a cockamamie political history must spend the next 20 years in federal prison for threatening to kill police officers, lawyers and judges, among others, in and around Monmouth County. Eric G. Hafner, 32, formerly of Fair Haven, also made calls and sent messages to state officials while phoning in bogus bomb threats to local and state government offices, a police department, two law firms and the Monmouth Park Racetrack during a two-year terror campaign, federal authorities in Trenton said. Hafner told newspaper reporters in 2018 that he was on the lam for d…
Police & Fire
Body Found In Jersey Shore Recycling Plant
A body was found amid the dropoffs at a Jersey Shore recycling plant, authorities confirmed. The adult male corpse was discovered at the Mazza Recycling plant in Tinton Falls on Wednesday, Nov. 8, Chris Swendeman of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office confirmed. It apparently was among the recyclables dumped by collection trucks from various counties. The plant was immediately closed and then reopened on Thursday. The prosecutor's office is investigating the discovery along with Tinton Falls police and the Monmouth County Medical Examiner & Coroner's Office in Freehold. Mazza rel…
Police & Fire
Cop Stalked Teen Girl, Sent Sexual Photos, Handcuffed Her On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
A patrolman at the Jersey Shore has been arrested and charged with engaging in a pattern of illegal behavior with a teenage girl, authorities said. Kevin Ruditsky, 46, who works in Manalapan Township, is believed to have sent the 16-year-old girl sexually explicit photos and handcuffed her during a traffic stop, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. An investigation by the MCPO Professional Responsibility Unit was initiated earlier this month upon learning that Ruditsky had been sending inappropriate messages and photos to a 16-year-old girl, …
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