Overcast 51°
Tag:

Monmouth County, NJ

Police & Fire
Woman Killed In Early Morning Crash On Route 9 In Manalapan Woman Killed In Early Morning Crash On Route 9 In Manalapan
Route 9 Crash 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 …

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
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…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
SUV Crash Knocks Out Power, Shuts Down Road In Wall Township: Police SUV Crash Knocks Out Power, Shuts Down Road In Wall Township: Police
SUV Crash Knocks Out Power, Shuts Down Road In Wall Township: Police An SUV crashed into a utility pole in Monmouth County, shutting down a road and knocking out power, authorities said. In a Facebook post, Wall Township police said a vehicle hit the pole along Hospital Road at around 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 25. No injuries were reported in the crash. A photo from Wall police showed an SUV lying on its left side in the middle of the road. Two utility poles were leaning and there was also damage to a nearby fence. Emergency crews and Jersey Central Power & Light responded to the crash scene. According to the JCP&L outage map, 134 customers …

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
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
Shawn Connolly Of Asbury Park Sentenced 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Gas Attendant Stole Thousands From Customers At Freehold Township Wawa: Prosecutors Gas Attendant Stole Thousands From Customers At Freehold Township Wawa: Prosecutors
Patrick Brown Of Newark Indicted 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Manalapan Family Of Eight Displaced After House Fire Manalapan Family Of Eight Displaced After House Fire
Manalapan Family Of Eight Displaced After House Fire A family of eight people was displaced after a home caught fire in Monmouth County, authorities said. Manalapan police responded to the fire at a home on Paddington Court at around 7:38 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 19, a department spokesperson said. Flames and smoke were reportedly coming from the house's laundry room. Firefighters from Gordons Corner, Englishtown, Freehold, and Marlboro were able to put out the fire. No injuries were reported. The New Jersey chapter of the American Red Cross said a family of eight was displaced. Volunteers were helping the family with immediate needs like tempor…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Trader Joe's Sets Opening Date For New Store In Middletown Trader Joe's Sets Opening Date For New Store In Middletown
Trader Joe's Sets Store Opening Date In Middletown, NJ Popular food items like "Everything but the Bagel" seasoning, "Unexpected Cheddar Cheese", and "Hold the Cone!" ice cream are about to be sold at a new Central Jersey spot. Trader Joe's will open its location in Middletown on Thursday, Apr. 25, the company said on its website on Friday, Apr. 19. The grocery store will hold a grand opening celebration at 8 a.m. The new Trader Joe's will be in the Middletown Plaza shopping center off Route 35. "We've consulted our maps and compass and have found a terrific location for a store in Middletown, NJ," Trade Joe's said in its opening announce…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Human Remains At Wall Township Construction Site Not Believed To Be Suspicious: Prosecutors Human Remains At Wall Township Construction Site Not Believed To Be Suspicious: Prosecutors
Human Remains At Wall Township 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Matawan Man Who Killed Father, Hid His Body Sentenced: Prosecutors Matawan Man Who Killed Father, Hid His Body Sentenced: Prosecutors
Kenneth Knapp Jr. Sentenced 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Convicted Felon Burglarized Oakhurst Diner, Other Businesses: Police Convicted Felon Burglarized Oakhurst Diner, Other Businesses: Police
Leamon Washington Charged A convicted felon was accused of stealing from several businesses in Monmouth County, authorities said. Leamon Washington, 51, was arrested on Tuesday, Apr. 16, the Township of Ocean Police Department said in a Facebook post. Officers responded at around 2:30 a.m. to a report of broken glass at the Blue Swan Diner on Route 35 in Oakhurst. Police entered the restaurant and Washington was found in the crawl space. He was brought to the Ocean Township police headquarters, and investigators learned he was involved in other business burglaries in the township and surrounding communities.  …

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
News
Bomb Threats Disrupt Marlboro Schools For Second Day Amid Investigation Of Teacher For Abuse Bomb Threats Disrupt Marlboro Schools For Second Day Amid Investigation Of Teacher For Abuse
Bomb Threats Disrupt Marlboro Schools For Second Day Amid Investigation Of Teacher For Abuse Bomb threats caused a scare for parents for a second straight day in a Monmouth County school district investigating sexual abuse accusations against a teacher. In a news release, the Marlboro Township School District said the FBI and other law enforcement agencies investigated the second emailed bomb threats on Friday, Apr. 19. All schools delayed the start of classes for two hours. The school district said investigators determined the threat was "non-credible." "Although we are dealing with another non-credible threat, the district takes any instance of this nature seriously and will con…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Near Assunpink Lake Free From Jail Until Trial Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Near Assunpink Lake Free From Jail Until Trial
Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Near Assunpink Lake Free 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Sports
Holmdel Golfer Returning To U.S. Women's Open After Reaching Leaderboard While In High School Holmdel Golfer Returning To U.S. Women's Open After Reaching Leaderboard While In High School
Megha Ganne Qualifies For 2024 U.S. Women's Open 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Maserati Driven By 82-Year-Old Leaves Pedestrian Critical In Route 35 Crash In Wall: Prosecutor Maserati Driven By 82-Year-Old Leaves Pedestrian Critical In Route 35 Crash In Wall: Prosecutor
Route 35 Pedestrian Crash 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
News
Marlboro Mom Tells BOE Teacher Sexually Abused Daughter, Investigation Launched (VIDEO) Marlboro Mom Tells BOE Teacher Sexually Abused Daughter, Investigation Launched (VIDEO)
Marlboro 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Obituaries
Douglas Yorke Jr., Passionate Author From Red Bank, Dies After Easter Sunday Crash Douglas Yorke Jr., Passionate Author From Red Bank, Dies After Easter Sunday Crash
Douglas Yorke Jr. Obituary 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
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
Gold Star Families Army Reservist Jersey Shore Death Benefit 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…

SHARE

by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
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, …

SHARE

by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Teacher Had Unprotected Sex With Teen Student Multiple Times In Monmouth County: Affidavit Teacher Had Unprotected Sex With Teen Student Multiple Times In Monmouth County: Affidavit
Jessica Sawicki Arrest 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Eatontown Motorcyclist Identified In Deadly Route 18 Crash In Colts Neck Eatontown Motorcyclist Identified In Deadly Route 18 Crash In Colts Neck
Eatontown Motorcyclist Identified In Deadly Route 18 Crash In Colts Neck Authorities have identified the Monmouth County motorcyclist who was killed in a crash on Route 18 in Colts Neck, authorities said. Vladimir Gorelov, 20, of Eatontown, died in the wreck on Tuesday, Apr. 9, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said. Colts Neck police responded to the crash on Route 18 North near milepost 17.0 at around 6:02 p.m. Gorelov was driving his 2017 Honda CBR motorcycle when it crashed into the back of a 2011 Ford F350 Utility truck driven by a 27-year-old man. He was thrown from his motorcycle, which slid to an "uncon…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
News
More Than 2K Customers Lose Power In Wall Township, Belmar More Than 2K Customers Lose Power In Wall Township, Belmar
More Than 2K Customers Lose Power In Wall Township, Belmar More than 2,000 customers were without power in Monmouth County, officials said. According to the outage map for Jersey Central Power & Light, 1,172 customers in Wall Township and 920 customers in Belmar lost service as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 16. That accounts for about 20 percent of Belmar customers and about nine percent of Wall customers. In a Facebook post, Belmar police said a JCP&L crew was responding to the outage. Belmar's government said the borough hall's phones were working and staff members can help people who need it. The JCP&L website also estimated…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In Howell Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors Woman High On Narcotics Indicted In Howell Crash That Killed Toddler: Prosecutors
Samantha Bonora Indicted 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
News
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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Motorcyclist Killed In Fiery Route 18 Crash In Colts Neck Motorcyclist Killed In Fiery Route 18 Crash In Colts Neck
Colts Neck Motorcycle Crash A Monmouth County motorcyclist was killed in a crash in Colts Neck this week, authorities said. Colts Neck police responded to the crash on Route 18 North near milepost 17.0 at around 6:02 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 9. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced details about the crash in a news release on Thursday, Apr. 11. A 20-year-old Eatontown man was operating his 2017 Honda CBR motorcycle when it crashed into the back of a 2011 Ford F350 Utility truck driven by a 27-year-old man. The Eatontown man was thrown from his motorcycle, which slid to an "uncontrolled stop" and…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Farmingdale Man Accused Of Trying To Abduct Girl In South Jersey Crime Spree To Remain In Jail Farmingdale Man Accused Of Trying To Abduct Girl In South Jersey Crime Spree To Remain In Jail
Farmingdale 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Keyport Man Rescued After Blowtorch Melts His Shoes To Basement Floor Keyport Man Rescued After Blowtorch Melts His Shoes To Basement Floor
Keyport Man Rescued After Blowtorch Melts His Shoes To Basement Floor A Monmouth County man was rescued after a blowtorch melted his shoes into the ground and fumes caused him to pass out, authorities said. In a Facebook post, Keyport police said it happened on the morning of Sunday, Apr. 7. According to Lincoln Hose 2273, Keyport firefighters responded to the home on Green Grove Avenue at around 6:30 a.m. Police said the older man was using the blowtorch when it caused his shoes to melt and get stuck to the ground. The torch and fire smoke caused him to pass out from the fumes. Officers carried him out of the basement and gave him oxygen. Firefighters quick…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Asbury Park Teen Admits To Raping, Torturing, Killing His Pet Cat: Prosecutors Asbury Park Teen Admits To Raping, Torturing, Killing His Pet Cat: Prosecutors
Bani Mezquititla Guilty Plea 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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Eatontown Man Crashes Motorcycle Into Cargo Van, Dies In Shrewsbury Eatontown Man Crashes Motorcycle Into Cargo Van, Dies In Shrewsbury
Eatontown Man Crashes Motorcycle Into Cargo Van, Dies In Shrewsbury 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.

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Crash Closes All Lanes Of Route 18 In Colts Neck Crash Closes All Lanes Of Route 18 In Colts Neck
Colts Neck Route 18 Crash A motor vehicle accident closed all lanes of Route 18 in Monmouth County Tuesday, April 9. The NJDOT said the crash happened in Colts Neck south of Exit 19. All lanes were closed as of 7:20 p.m.

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
News
Power Knocked Out For 3K+ Customers In Middletown, Atlantic Highlands Power Knocked Out For 3K+ Customers In Middletown, Atlantic Highlands
Power Knocked Out For 3K+ Customers In Middletown, Atlantic Highlands More than 3,000 customers were without power in Monmouth County after a substation caught fire, officials said. A substation fire at the entrance to Sandy Hook caused the outage on Monday, Apr. 8, Atlantic Highlands police said in a Facebook post. Route 36 crossings in Atlantic Highlands were temporarily closed. According to Jersey Central Power & Light's outage map, power was lost for 2,414 customers in Middletown, 1,044 customers in Atlantic Highlands, and nine customers in Highlands as of 5:30 p.m. JCP&L was told about the fire and crews are responding to make repairs, police sa…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker