Tag:

Ocean County, NJ

Newly Constructed ShopRite Hiring For Opening Next Month In Central Jersey Newly Constructed ShopRite Hiring For Opening Next Month In Central Jersey
Newly Constructed ShopRite Hiring For Opening Next Month In Central Jersey A new ShopRite of Hadley Commons is hiring up to 200 workers at a store under construction in South Plainfield, officials said. The new store at 6781 Hadley Road is expected to open next month. It's the second new ShopRite in Central Jersey this spring. A 24-hour store opened last month in Old Bridge in the Glenwood Green Shopping Plaza at the intersection of Route 9 and Schulmeister Road The South Plainfield store's hiring center, located at 6303 Hadley Road in the same shopping plaza, is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and accepting applications for jobs including book…
Organs Of NJ Crash Victim Will Help 9 Others Live: Family Organs Of NJ Crash Victim Will Help 9 Others Live: Family
Organs Of NJ Crash Victim Will Help 9 Others Live: Family An Ocean County woman died from her injuries in a crash and donated her organs to potentially save several people's lives, her family said. Catalina Reinoso was declared "brain dead" at around 2:19 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 19, according to an update to Catalina's GoFundMe page posted by Valentina Reinoso on Monday, Apr. 22. Catalina was airlifted to a trauma center hospital after the crash on Lacey Road in Manchester Township at around 2 a.m. on Sunday, Apr. 14. The Brick Township woman's family made a heartbreaking decision to donate Catalina's organs. Valentina Reinoso wrote that Catalin…
Man Who Admitted To Selling Cocaine In Union, Ocean Counties Sentenced: Prosecutors Man Who Admitted To Selling Cocaine In Union, Ocean Counties Sentenced: Prosecutors
Man Who Admitted To Selling Cocaine In Union, Ocean Counties Sentenced: Prosecutors A Kenilworth man will spend several years in prison after admitting to selling cocaine throughout Ocean and Union counties, authorities said. Pedro Reyes-Sevilla, 32, was sentenced on Friday, Apr. 19 to 10 years in prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release. He pleaded guilty on Friday, Feb. 16 to possession of five ounces or more of cocaine with intent to distribute.  Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Lakewood police officers, and investigators from Union and Ocean counties conducted a two-week-long investigation in January…
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…
Suds In The 'Shark Tank:' NJ Soap Company Sees $100K Investment From Mark Cuban Suds In The 'Shark Tank:' NJ Soap Company Sees $100K Investment From Mark Cuban
Suds In The 'Shark Tank:' NJ Soap Company Sees $100K Investment From Mark Cuban An Ocean County company that makes a therapeutic type of muscle-massaging soap is now swimming with a Shark. The Brick Township-based company called Sorsoap was featured on an episode of ABC's 'Shark Tank' that premiered on Friday, Apr. 12. The company was founded by David Restiano and Dr. David Staats. Dr. Staats owns a physical therapy clinic on Brick Boulevard. Restiano was one of his patients before the two became business partners. The two men enjoy playing sports and were looking for a way to relieve muscle pain while cleaning off sweat and dirt. In their seven-minute sales pitch and…
11 Students, Two Drivers Hospitalized In Jersey Shore Crash 11 Students, Two Drivers Hospitalized In Jersey Shore Crash
11 Students, Two Drivers Hospitalized In Jersey Shore Crash Thirteen people were injured, including 11 students on their way to school, after a luxury car and a van crashed in Ocean County, authorities said. Manchester Township police responded to the crash at the intersection of county routes 571 and 547 at around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 16, the department said in a news release. Officers found a white 2020 Acura TLX and a black 2023 Ford Transit Passenger Van with damage on the property of nearby Ridgeway Plaza Wines & Liquor. The van was facing west and had extensive front-end damage. The Acura was facing north and had extensive …
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Monmouth University pollsters have tried to answer a question that has been hard to solve for many in the Garden State: Where is Central Jersey exactly? The Monmouth University Polling Institute released a survey on Tuesday, Apr. 16 that asked New Jerseyans what region they live in and if they believe their region gets a fair share of state resources. The pollsters also asked people to pick their favorite convenience store. According to the poll, 41 percent of New Jerseyans said they live in North Jersey, 34 percent said they're in Central Jersey, and 23 percent said they're from South…
Takedown Of Heroin, Fentanyl, Crack, Ring Nets 6 Arrests, Guns In Ocean County: Cops Takedown Of Heroin, Fentanyl, Crack, Ring Nets 6 Arrests, Guns In Ocean County: Cops
Takedown Of Heroin, Fentanyl, Crack, Ring Nets 6 Arrests, Guns In Ocean County: Cops Six people from Ocean County were accused of taking part in a ring of selling drugs and guns, authorities said. Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives helped several law enforcement agencies throughout Ocean County in the four-month investigation. County prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the arrests made in the case in a news release on Monday, Apr. 15. Investigators said 28-year-old Kyree Kennedy of Lakewood was using several locations throughout the township to store and sell guns, heroin mixed with fentan…
Jersey Shore Woman Who Sold Opioids, Meth Across NJ Sentenced Jersey Shore Woman Who Sold Opioids, Meth Across NJ Sentenced
Jersey Shore Woman Who Sold Opioids, Meth Across NJ Sentenced An Ocean County woman will spend time in prison after admitting to selling opioids and methamphetamine across New Jersey, authorities said. Laurie Maxson, 54, of Barnegat, was sentenced on Friday, Apr. 12 to three years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release. She pleaded guilty on Monday, Jan. 29 to conspiracy to distribute more than five ounces of methamphetamine. The county prosecutor's office received a tip on Thursday, July 15, 2021, from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to investigate narcotics being sold in Ocean County. D…
JCP&L Will Trim Trees Along 3,400 Miles Of Power Lines To Reduce Outages JCP&L Will Trim Trees Along 3,400 Miles Of Power Lines To Reduce Outages
JCP&L Will Trim Trees Along 3,400 Miles Of Power Lines To Reduce Outages Jersey Central Power & Light is planning to trim trees to protect more than 3,400 miles of power lines across the Garden State, officials said. JCP&L will clear trees as part of a $32.5 million plan to prevent power outages during severe weather, the company said in a news release on Wednesday, Apr. 10. It's the first part of an annual $1.5 million increase in tree-trimming costs as part of a settlement with the state Board of Public Utilities. JCP&L also said it will spend $2.5 million more in each of the next five years to expand trimming zones along 18 high-priority circ…
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…
Man Drove 100+ MPH While High On Marijuana In South Jersey Crash: Prosecutors Man Drove 100+ MPH While High On Marijuana In South Jersey Crash: Prosecutors
Man Drove 100+ MPH While High On Marijuana In South Jersey Crash: Prosecutors A Middlesex County man was accused of driving more than 100 miles per hour while high on marijuana during a crash in Jackson Township, authorities said. Nicholas Obrzut, 21, of Monroe Township, was charged on Wednesday, Apr. 3 with two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of assault by auto. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the charges in a news release on Monday, Apr. 8. Jackson Township police responded to the crash near the intersection of North County Line and Jackson Mills roads at around 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27. A 2020 BMW driven by Obrzut …
Toms River Man Sentenced For Dealing Heroin Throughout Ocean County Toms River Man Sentenced For Dealing Heroin Throughout Ocean County
Toms River Man Sentenced For Dealing Heroin Throughout Ocean County A Toms River man was sentenced after admitting to selling heroin throughout Ocean County, authorities said. Zachary Lockwood, 25, was sentenced on Friday, Apr. 5 to 10 years in prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release. He'll be eligible for parole after five years. Lockwood pleaded guilty to possession of one-half ounce or more of heroin with intent to distribute, being a certain person not to possess a weapon, and resisting arrest on Monday, Feb. 12. He also pleaded guilty to an unrelated eluding charge from a second incident. Toms River…
Teen Drove Tesla 88+ MPH During Deadly Crash In Lakewood: Prosecutors Teen Drove Tesla 88+ MPH During Deadly Crash In Lakewood: Prosecutors
Teen Drove Tesla 88+ MPH During Deadly Crash In Lakewood: Prosecutors An Ocean County teen was accused of driving nearly 90 miles per hour in a crash that killed a man, authorities said. Aryeh Bakst, 18, of Lakewood, was charged on Wednesday, Mar. 27 with vehicular homicide. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the charge in a news release on Thursday, Apr. 4. Lakewood police responded to the crash at the intersection of County Line Road and Laurelwood Avenue at around 9 a.m. on Sunday, Mar. 3. Bakst was driving a 2023 Tesla west on County Line Road when his car hit a 2013 Toyota Corolla driven by 82-year-old Jules Brotsky of Lakewood in the in…
South Jersey Man Killed When Car Crashes Into Tree South Jersey Man Killed When Car Crashes Into Tree
South Jersey Man Killed When Car Crashes Into Tree A Pemberton Township man died when his car crashed into a tree in Ocean County, authorities said. Stafford Township police responded to the wreck on County Route 539 near milepost 11.5 at around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 2, the department said in a news release. Investigators said 30-year-old Gogi Jailava of Browns Mills was driving south when he lost control of his 2008 Toyota Yaris. His car left the road and hit a tree. Paramedics arrived at the scene and brought Jailava to Southern Ocean Medical Center. He died from his injuries at the hospital. Anyone with information about the cra…
South Jersey Couple Accused Of Illegally Growing Marijuana To Stay In Jail Through Trials South Jersey Couple Accused Of Illegally Growing Marijuana To Stay In Jail Through Trials
South Jersey Couple Accused Of Illegally Growing Marijuana To Stay In Jail Through Trials A Lacey Township couple accused of illegally selling large amounts of marijuana and having assault weapons will stay in jail through their trials, authorities said. On Tuesday, Apr. 2, a judge ordered John and Karen Vincentini, both 64 years old, to remain detained in the Ocean County Jail through their trials. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the judge's orders in a news release. Lacey Township police received a report on Friday, Mar. 15 from someone who said a package of marijuana was delivered to their home in a repurposed Amazon box. Investigators deter…
Man Who Allegedly Struck Woman With Baseball Bat Charged With Attempted Murder In South Jersey Man Who Allegedly Struck Woman With Baseball Bat Charged With Attempted Murder In South Jersey
Man Who Allegedly Struck Woman With Baseball Bat Charged With Attempted Murder In South Jersey Criminal charges have been upgraded against a 35-year-old man who was arrested last week after allegedly striking a woman in the head with a baseball bat, authorities said. The additional charges against Quamel Benton include Attempted Murder (First Degree), Endangering an Injured Victim (Third Degree), and five counts of Neglecting a Child (Fourth Degree), according to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw. He was initially charged with Aggravated Assault (Second Degree) and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree) following his apprehension on Friday, 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…
Man Tried To Abduct Teen Girl, Groped Woman In South Jersey Crime Spree: Prosecutors Man Tried To Abduct Teen Girl, Groped Woman In South Jersey Crime Spree: Prosecutors
Man Tried To Abduct Teen Girl, Groped Woman In South Jersey Crime Spree: Prosecutors A Monmouth County man was accused of trying to kidnap a teen girl and groping a woman in a Target parking lot as part of a two-county crime spree, authorities said. Quamel Benton, 35, of Farmingdale, was arrested on Friday, Mar. 22, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He was charged with attempted kidnapping, luring, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal sexual contact, two counts of eluding, resisting arrest, and obstruction. Lakewood police responded to a report of an attempted kidnapping near Forest Park Circle at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Ma…
Coastal Flood Warning In Effect For Jersey Shore Due To Offshore Storm, Full Moon Coastal Flood Warning In Effect For Jersey Shore Due To Offshore Storm, Full Moon
Coastal Flood Warning In Effect For Jersey Shore Due To Offshore Storm, Full Moon Many parts of New Jersey are under a coastal flood warning with an offshore storm and a full moon expected to fuel high tides, forecasters said. The National Weather Service issued the coastal flood warning in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties at 6 a.m. on Monday, Mar. 25. The NWS said the warning would be in effect until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 26. A storm out in the Atlantic Ocean will increase offshore wind speeds and make waves larger, according to the NWS. That will combine with Monday night's full moon to create "widespread tidal flooding." The w…
Couple Found With 10 Pounds Of Marijuana, Assault Weapons In South Jersey: Prosecutors Couple Found With 10 Pounds Of Marijuana, Assault Weapons In South Jersey: Prosecutors
Couple Found With 10 Pounds Of Marijuana, Assault Weapons In South Jersey: Prosecutors A Lacey Township couple was accused of illegally selling large amounts of marijuana and having assault weapons, authorities said. John and Karen Vincentini, both 64 years old, were arrested, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Friday, Mar. 22. They were given several drug and weapons charges. Lacey Township police received a report on Friday, Mar. 15 from someone who said a package of marijuana was delivered to their home in a repurposed Amazon box. Investigators determined that John Vincentini delivered the box. Police executed a search warrant on the Vince…
Toms River Teacher Who Sent Inappropriate Pics To Student, Took Classroom Nudes Sentenced Toms River Teacher Who Sent Inappropriate Pics To Student, Took Classroom Nudes Sentenced
Toms River Teacher Who Sent Inappropriate Pics To Student, Took Classroom Nudes Sentenced A former Toms River teacher will spend time in prison after admitting to sending inappropriate Snapchat pictures to a student and posting sexual photos of himself in his classroom, authorities said. Kyle Banner, 49, of Brick Township, was sentenced on Friday, Mar. 22 to four months in Ocean County Jail, county prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release. He was a teacher at Toms River Intermediate North (TRIN) and Ocean County College. Banner pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, to three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. As part of his plea, Banner…
Maintenance Worker Convicted Of Stealing $4,500, Smartwatch From Central Jersey Apartment Maintenance Worker Convicted Of Stealing $4,500, Smartwatch From Central Jersey Apartment
Maintenance Worker Convicted Of Stealing $4,500, Smartwatch From Central Jersey Apartment A maintenance worker at an Ocean County apartment complex was convicted of stealing more than $4,500 and a smartwatch from an apartment, authorities said. Troy Jones, 58, of Jackson Township, was found guilty by a jury on Wednesday, Mar. 20, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He was convicted after a nearly two-week trial. Jackson Township police responded to a reported theft at an apartment in the Gardens at Jackson Twenty-One complex on Chatham Court West on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. Officers found that when the apartment's residents returned home f…
Six Flags Great Adventure Opening For 50th Season This Weekend Six Flags Great Adventure Opening For 50th Season This Weekend
Six Flags Great Adventure Opening For 50th Season This Weekend Six Flags Great Adventure Resort will celebrate half a century of welcoming guests from around the world to Ocean County. Six Flags Great Adventure will open for the 2024 season on Saturday, Mar. 16, according to a news release. The Jackson Township amusement park will kick off its 50th-anniversary celebration during the opening weekend. The resort will be open on weekends until spring break when it'll be open daily from Thursday, Mar. 28 through Sunday, Apr. 7. "Six Flags Great Adventure Resort remains committed to innovation and thrilling adventures, blending the present with a…
Arsonists Break Into Jersey Shore Home, Start Living Room Fire: Prosecutor Arsonists Break Into Jersey Shore Home, Start Living Room Fire: Prosecutor
Arsonists Break Into Jersey Shore Home, Start Living Room Fire: Prosecutor A pair of men from Ocean County have been charged with setting a home on fire in Little Egg Harbor, authorities said. Thomas Lester, 20, of Tuckerton, and Ethan Salter, 19, of Little Egg Harbor Township, broke into a National Union Boulevard home on Jan. 8 around 2:15 p.m., then started a fire in the living room, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said on Friday, March 8. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze and about two months later, Lester and Salter were each arrested at their homes and charged with aggravated arson, arson, burglary, criminal misc…
Cocaine Dealer Sentenced After Using Asbury Park Business To Sell: Prosecutors Cocaine Dealer Sentenced After Using Asbury Park Business To Sell: Prosecutors
Cocaine Dealer Sentenced After Using Asbury Park Business To Sell: Prosecutors An Ocean County man will spend more than a decade in prison after admitting to using an Asbury Park store and a Brick Township home to sell cocaine, authorities said. Henry Burns, 56, of Brick Township, was sentenced on Friday, Mar. 8 to 15 years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release. Burns pleaded guilty on Monday, Jan. 22 to possession of cocaine in an amount greater than five ounces with intent to distribute and being a certain person not to possess a weapon. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), along with narcotics offic…
'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At South Jersey Animal Refuge Dies 'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At South Jersey Animal Refuge Dies
'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At South Jersey Animal Refuge Dies A beloved tiger has died after spending eight years at an Ocean County animal sanctuary, officials said. Eli the tiger died after his health declined in recent weeks, Popcorn Park Animal Refuge announced in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mar. 6. The tiger experienced "discomfort and decreased mobility" despite the efforts of the veterinarians at the Lacey Township sanctuary. Eli and his sister Jess arrived at Popcorn Park in December 2016. "After exhausting all options and considering his quality of life, we made the difficult decision to say goodbye," Popcorn Park's post said. "His days we…
Trenton Man Pleads Guilty In Fentanyl Overdose Death Of Jersey Shore Man Trenton Man Pleads Guilty In Fentanyl Overdose Death Of Jersey Shore Man
Trenton Man Pleads Guilty In Fentanyl Overdose Death Of Jersey Shore Man A Trenton man admitted to his role in the overdose death of a man in Ocean County, authorities said. Ryan Thompson, 35, pleaded guilty on Monday, Mar. 4 to manslaughter, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced in a news release on Wednesday, Mar. 6. He was charged in the death of a 55-year-old man in Berkeley Township. Police responded to a report of an unresponsive man in a home on Torrey Pines Drive on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. When officers arrived, they found the man already dead from what the Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed was a fentanyl overdose. I…
South Jersey Man Intentionally Started Two Fires, Including State-Owned Building: Prosecutors South Jersey Man Intentionally Started Two Fires, Including State-Owned Building: Prosecutors
South Jersey Man Intentionally Started Two Fires, Including State-Owned Building: Prosecutors A Plumsted Township man was accused of intentionally starting two fires in Ocean County, authorities said. Edward Petroni, 41, was charged on Monday, Mar. 4 with two counts of aggravated arson, burglary, and two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release. The charges come from two fires in Plumsted and Jackson townships on Friday, Mar. 1. First responders were called to what was described as a "shed fire" near Maple Avenue and Brown Road in Plumsted at around 1:20 p.m. The structure was actually a bus stop …
Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In South Jersey Drug Bust, Four Arrested Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In South Jersey Drug Bust, Four Arrested
Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In South Jersey Drug Bust, Four Arrested Four people were accused of selling several drugs throughout Ocean County, including heroin and fentanyl, authorities said. The people arrested were 33-year-old Orthis Allen of Bayville, 33-year-old Ashley Banks of Brick, and two 23-year-olds from Toms River, Lauren Torres and Anthony Martinez. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the four arrests in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 5. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents helped Ocean County investigators and local police in a two-month-long investigation into illegal drugs sold throughout Ocean County. The investi…
Realtor Convicted Of Killing Her Father, Girlfriend In Jersey Shore Waterfront Home Realtor Convicted Of Killing Her Father, Girlfriend In Jersey Shore Waterfront Home
Realtor Convicted Of Killing Her Father, Girlfriend In Jersey Shore Waterfront Home A Pennsylvania realtor was convicted of killing her father and his girlfriend on the Jersey Shore, authorities said. After a four-week trial, a jury found Sherry Lee Heffernan, 57, of Landenberg, PA, guilty of two murder counts on Friday, Mar. 1, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release. She faces life in prison for the late September 2021 killings of 87-year-old John Enders of Surf City and 75-year-old Francoise Pitoy of Manchester. Surf City police conducted a wellness check at a home on North Seventh Street at around 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2…