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Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit

Attempted Murder For Gunman Who Struck 'Unrelated' Vehicle In Franklin Township Attempted Murder For Gunman Who Struck 'Unrelated' Vehicle In Franklin Township
Attempted Murder For Gunman Who Struck 'Unrelated' Vehicle In Franklin Township A 25-year-old New Brunswick man who has been held in Middlesex County following a separate incident last month has been charged with attempted murder in a Somerset County shooting, authorities said. Nate Rowell, of New Brunswick, is believed to have fired a weapon while leaving a parking lot of a business on Easton Avenue in Franklin Township on Wednesday, Sept. 13, around 6:45 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. A Franklin Township resident was driving near Girard Avenue and Easton Avenue when a loud noise was heard. The driver assumed it was debris in the roadway…
Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Somerset Prosecutor Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Somerset Prosecutor
Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Somerset 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…
Murder Suspect Found At New Brunswick Train Station With Knife: Prosecutor Murder Suspect Found At New Brunswick Train Station With Knife: Prosecutor
Murder Suspect Found At New Brunswick Train Station With Knife: Prosecutor A 24-year-old New York man has been charged in the stabbing death of a 20-year-old man this week in Somerset County, authorities said. Jahkoy Monsanto is facing a first-degree murder charge, and various weapons offenses, in the killing of J’Corey Breedy on Thursday, Sept. 29 in Franklin Township, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Breedy was found around 12:30 p.m. with a stab wound to his abdomen at a Eugene Avenue home, McDonald said. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Detectives were able to obtain a description and identity of an allege…
68-Year-Old Woman Killed In Somerset County Fire, Prosecutor Says 68-Year-Old Woman Killed In Somerset County Fire, Prosecutor Says
68-Year-Old Woman Killed In Somerset County Fire, Prosecutor Says A 68-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene of an early morning fire in Somerset County on Sunday, Sept. 25, authorities announced. The Somerville Fire Department responded to a report of a smoke condition at a home on West Cliff Street just after 6:40 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a joint release. Upon arrival, crews found and extinguished a small fire in the back of the first floor and basement of the home before discovering the unresponsive woman a short time later. Crews removed the victim from the home and attempted lifesaving measures, but she was…
NJ Murder Suspect Who Dumped Body In Woods Nabbed In Philadelphia: Prosecutor NJ Murder Suspect Who Dumped Body In Woods Nabbed In Philadelphia: Prosecutor
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…
Motorcyclist Robs Somerset County Bank Motorcyclist Robs Somerset County Bank
Motorcyclist Robs Somerset County Bank Authorities in Somerset County are looking for a bank robber who demanded money from multiple tellers then fled on a motorcycle. The incident happened around 2:05 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22 at the Chase Bank on Route 27 in Franklin Park, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The bank tellers ultimately turned over an undisclosed amount of cash to the male based on his demands and he subsequently fled the store on a motorcycle. The male suspect was described as approximately 5’6” wearing black shoes, black pants, black shirt, black mask and a black motorcycle helmet and goggle…
Woman Escapes Hour-Long Hotel Hostage Situation With Kids In Room: Somerset Prosecutor Woman Escapes Hour-Long Hotel Hostage Situation With Kids In Room: Somerset Prosecutor
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 …
Man Shot At North Plainfield House Party Man Shot At North Plainfield House Party
Man Shot At North Plainfield House Party A 20-year-old New Jersey man was shot during a house party Friday, July 8, authorities said. The victim was one of the dozens of guests at a party somewhere near Arnold Avenue when authorities found him at Vermeule Park in North Plainfield suffering a gunshot wound to his upper body around 10:45 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Officers and responding Emergency Medical Personnel tended to the shooting victim who was treated at an undisclosed area hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Authorities are attempting to determine the motive for the shootin…
Highland Park Man Fires Gun At Manville Intersection: Prosecutor Highland Park Man Fires Gun At Manville Intersection: Prosecutor
Highland Park Man Fires Gun At Manville Intersection: Prosecutor A Middlesex County man was arrested for firing a weapon in Somerset County this week, authorities said. Police responding to the area of South Street and South 3rd Avenue in Manville on Tuesday, June 28 identified Emmanuel Williams, 23, of Highland Park, as one of the shooters, Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. No injuries were reported, and Williams was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and weapons offenses. He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. Detectives from the Manville Police Department and detectives from th…
US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says
US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says A third suspect wanted in a New Jersey murder case was nabbed by US Marshals agents in North Carolina, authorities said. Jose Branch, of Plainfield, was tracked down in Raleigh in connection with the March 1 shooting death of Steve Camino in North Plainfield, Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. He was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and extradited from North Carolina to Somerset County on Tuesday, April 19, Taggart said. Branch was jailed pending a detention hearing. Kenneth Hill, 21 of Plainfield, and Daniel Carrera-Cardona, 22, of Piscataway, wer…
Authorities ID Teen, Man Dead In North Plainfield Triple Shooting Authorities ID Teen, Man Dead In North Plainfield Triple Shooting
Authorities ID Teen, Man Dead In North Plainfield Triple Shooting Authorities have identified the teen boy and man killed in a triple North Plainfield shooting last week. Christian Orellana, 31, and Steven Jimenez, 14 -- who live together in Plainfield -- were sitting on a front porch of the Malcolm Gardens Apartment Complex on Little Place with an unidentified 28-year-old man when all three were shot around 8:05 p.m. last Friday, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. The Medical Examiner has classified both deaths as a homicide, while third shooting victim remains in critical condition at an undisclosed trauma center.  Jim…
NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say
NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say A 53-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for attacking a victim with an axe, sending him to the hospital, authorities said. Jonathan W. Beatty, of Raritan, was at his West Somerset Street house when he got into an argument with someone he knew around 12:50 a.m. July 3, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Things escalated and Beatty sliced the victim's back and forearm with the axe, causing him to bleed profusely, Robertson said alongside Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Raritan Borough Chief of Police Raymond Nolte. Beatty was transported from …
Prosecutor: Juvenile Beaten With Gun, Lured In NJ Drug Deal Gone Bad Prosecutor: Juvenile Beaten With Gun, Lured In NJ Drug Deal Gone Bad
Prosecutor: Juvenile Beaten With Gun, Lured In NJ Drug Deal Gone Bad Two more arrests have been made in connection with a Somerset County drug deal gone bad last January, authorities said Thursday. Kayla S. Burnett, 20, of Ewing, and Samuel P. Dyal, 18, of Princeton, were arrested on May 26 and May 27, respectively, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. George C. Battle, 4th was taken into custody on April 28, 2021 and charged with armed robbery, unlawful possession of a handgun, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and luring, all in connection with the Montgomery Township incident, Robertson said. On Jan. 25, a juvenile told police that…
Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting
Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting Two men have been arrested in connection with a Somerset County shooting last month, authorities announced Monday. Somerville police responded to Third and Center streets on reports of shots fired around 2:45 a.m. May 23, where they found bullet holes in an occupied home, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Ronnie Lyles, 51, of Phillipsburg, and Miguel A. Hernandez, 37, of Somerville, were identified as the two suspects involved in the shooting, Robertson said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Somervil…
New Brunswick Men Busted With Loaded Handguns, Magazines In Somerset, Prosecutor Says New Brunswick Men Busted With Loaded Handguns, Magazines In Somerset, Prosecutor Says
New Brunswick Men Busted With Loaded Handguns, Magazines In Somerset, Prosecutor Says Two New Brunswick men were busted with loaded handguns during "Quality of Life" investigations in Somerset County, authorities announced Friday. Jared L. Washington and Nasiir East, both 23, were lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending bail detention hearings, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Washington was arrested on May 17 around 2:45 p.m. while authorities were conducting the investigation near Millstone Road in Franklin Township, authorities said. Upon observing Task Force detectives, Washington fled on foot while and left the handgun in a rear p…
NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 'Extremely Affectionate' Son, 4, Indicted On Murder Charge NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 'Extremely Affectionate' Son, 4, Indicted On Murder Charge
NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 'Extremely Affectionate' Son, 4, Indicted On Murder Charge A New Jersey mother who called 911 for a minor wrist injury she suffered apparently in the process of killing her 4-year-old son was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the homicide, authorities announced.  Elina Gutti -- also known as Olga Singhania and Olga Gutiy -- is accused of using two kitchen knives to cut the throat of Aiden Singhania, who was found in a first-floor bedroom of her South Bound Brook home on Feb. 6, and pronounced dead at the scene, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced. The indictment charges Gutti with first-degree murder and&nb…
Essex County Pair Nabbed In Route 22 Gas Station Burglaries Essex County Pair Nabbed In Route 22 Gas Station Burglaries
Essex County Pair Nabbed In Route 22 Gas Station Burglaries Two Essex County men were arrested in connection with a pair of Route 22 gas station robberies, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday. Abufurgan Ahmad, 54, of Newark, burglarized gas stations on Route 22 on April 15 and May 9, and was joined by Coleman Holden, 51, of East Orange, in the second incident, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. During the first incident around 6:20 a.m., Ahmad forcibly opened the back door and stole an undisclosed amount in cash, a case of black and mild cigars and jumper cables from the gas station, Robertso…
KNOW ANYTHING? Somerset County Prosecutor Seeks Public Info In Weekend Shooting KNOW ANYTHING? Somerset County Prosecutor Seeks Public Info In Weekend Shooting
Know Anything? Somerset County Prosecutor Seeks Public Info In Weekend Shooting Authorities in Somerset County are seeking public knowledge in the investigating of a shooting over the weekend in Somerville. Gunshots were fired in the area of Third and Center streets around 2:45 a.m. on Sunday, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Somerville Borough Chief of Police Dennis Manning said. A local home was damaged in the shooting although no injuries were reported, authorities said. Detectives from the Somerville Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Crime Sce…
Pair Charged With Murder In Fatal Stabbing Of Somerset County Man, 23, Prosecutor Says Pair Charged With Murder In Fatal Stabbing Of Somerset County Man, 23, Prosecutor Says
Pair Charged With Murder In Fatal Stabbing Of Somerset County Man, 23, Prosecutor Says Two suspects are facing murder charges in connection to the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old Somerset County man earlier this week, authorities said. Nasir J. Williams aka “Duck”, 20, and Ishadir S. Hunter aka “Ice”, 22, both of Somerset, were taken into custody Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree armed robbery and third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, Robertson said. Hunter was also charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. Jamari R. Stephenson, of Somerset, was found unresponsive by officers inside a house on H…
Prosecutor: Man, 23, Found Dead With Multiple Stab Wounds At His Somerset County Home Prosecutor: Man, 23, Found Dead With Multiple Stab Wounds At His Somerset County Home
Prosecutor: Man, 23, Found Dead With Multiple Stab Wounds At His Somerset County Home A 23-year-old Somerset County man was stabbed multiple times to his death following a physical altercation overnight Monday. Jamari R. Stephenson, of Somerset, was found unresponsive by officers at a house on Holland Drive just after midnight, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Stephenson had been attacked outside of his home and managed to get back inside, where he was found dead, NJ.com says citing Deputy Chief Frank Roman of the the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. Life-saving measures were unsuccessful and Stephenson was pronounced dead at the scene, Roberts…
Somerset County Man Stabs Victim, Hides In Family Basement, Prosecutor Says Somerset County Man Stabs Victim, Hides In Family Basement, Prosecutor Says
Somerset County Man Stabs Victim, Hides In Family Basement, Prosecutor Says A 22-year-old Somerset man stabbed a victim multiple times during a fight and then hid in his family's basement, authorities said. Safi N. Hill reportedly stabbed the 27-year-old Montgomery Township man multiple times in the torso, back, hands and arm on Dominicus Drive around 4:50 p.m. Thursday in Montgomery Township, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.  Hill then ran into a nearby family home, where authorities told family members -- who were unaware of the situation -- to leave the house, Robertson said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office C…
NJ Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Motel Stabbing NJ Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Motel Stabbing
NJ Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Motel Stabbing A 49-year-old North Plainfield man has been charged with attempted murder in an early-morning motel stabbing that left the victim critically injured, authorities said Wednesday. Police responding to a motel around 4:50 a.m. on Jan. 12 found a 55-year-old North Plainfield resident with multiple stab wounds, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Responding officers and medical personnel began life saving measures at the scene and the victim was transported to a nearby trauma hospital for emergency treatment, Robertson said. The suspect was found in a hotel room and ident…
Somerset County Authorities Probe New Year's Eve Hotel Shooting Somerset County Authorities Probe New Year's Eve Hotel Shooting
Somerset County Authorities Probe New Year's Eve Hotel Shooting A New Brunswick man was seriously injured in a hotel shooting late New Year's Eve in Somerset County, authorities said. Franklin Township police responding to reports of shots fired found a man with a gunshot wound outside of a hotel near Cedar Grove Lane around 2:30 a.m., Jan. 1, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said Tuesday. The victim, a New Brunswick resident, was taken to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, Robertson said alongside Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella Spruill. The mo…
FBI Helps Nab Pair In Deadly New Jersey Barbershop Shooting FBI Helps Nab Pair In Deadly New Jersey Barbershop Shooting
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…
Prosecutor: Multiple Firearms, Ammo Seized In 2-Hour Central Jersey SWAT Standoff Prosecutor: Multiple Firearms, Ammo Seized In 2-Hour Central Jersey SWAT Standoff
Prosecutor: Multiple Firearms, Ammo Seized In 2-Hour Central Jersey SWAT Standoff Multiple firearms and ammunition were seized from a 74-year-old Central Jersey man who authorities said fired a gun inside his home with a woman upstairs, launching a nearly two-hour SWAT standoff. Raritan police were called to a Hidden Pond Court home, just after Stephen E. McManus fired a shot around 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Nearby residents were evacuated for their safety as officers on scene made "direct visual and verbal contact" with a female resident in an upstairs bedroom of McManus' home, Robertson said. Meanwhile, McM…
$2,500 Reward Offered In Somerset County Barbershop Shooting $2,500 Reward Offered In Somerset County Barbershop Shooting
$2,500 Reward Offered In Somerset County Barbershop Shooting A $2,500 reward is being offered in the fatal shooting of a 34-year-old man inside of a Somerset County barbershop, authorities said Thursday. Denny Sanchez, of Franklin Park, was shot inside of a Hamilton Street barbershop in Franklin Township around 8:40 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. A spokesperson from the prosecutor's office said the incident occurred on the 500 block of Hamilton Street. Franklin Township police and EMS immediately began administering lifesaving measures, before Sanchez was transported to an area trauma center. Sanchez…
Suspicious Somerset County Fire Under Investigation Suspicious Somerset County Fire Under Investigation
Suspicious Somerset County Fire Under Investigation Authorities are investigating a fire that broke out early Tuesday morning at a vacant Somerset County home. Firefighters from the Country Hills Fire Company, Green Knoll Fire Department -- along with the North Branch fire chief -- responded to the Burnt Mill Road home in Branchburg around 6:20 a.m., thanks to a 9-1-1 call, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor said. Last week, a fire broke out another unoccupied Somerset County home, formerly a retreat for New Jersey celebrities. Investigat…
Driver Accused Of Drunkenly Killing Runner ID'd As Retired North Jersey Police Sergeant Driver Accused Of Drunkenly Killing Runner ID'd As Retired North Jersey Police Sergeant
Driver Accused Of Drunkenly Killing Runner ID'd As Retired North Jersey Police Sergeant A suspected DWI driver accused of killing a runner in a Somerset County crosswalk had retired from a police department in Union County last year, after 25 years on the force, his former chief confirmed. Kevin D. Betyeman, 56, of Bridgewater, was charged with driving while intoxicated, and several motor vehicle summonses following the Friday afternoon crash in Raritan, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said earlier this week. The retired Mountainside police sergeant fatally struck Celeste Andresen, 60, of San Manuel, AZ, in his Chevy pickup truck, while she was out for a run l…
Driver Accused Of Drunkenly Killing Runner ID'd As Retired North Jersey Police Sergeant Driver Accused Of Drunkenly Killing Runner ID'd As Retired North Jersey Police Sergeant
Driver Accused Of Drunkenly Killing Runner ID'd As Retired North Jersey Police Sergeant A man accused of drinking before getting behind the wheel of his car and killing a runner in Somerset County is a retired police officer, according to social media posts and confirmation from his former chief in a recent news report. Kevin D. Betyeman, 56, of Bridgewater, was charged with driving while intoxicated, and several motor vehicle summonses following the Friday afternoon crash in Raritan, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said earlier this week. The retired Mountainside police sergeant fatally struck Celeste Andresen, 60, of San Manuel, AZ, in his Chevy pickup truck…
2 Suspects -- 1 With Distinct Walk -- Captured In Somerset County Gunshot Killing 2 Suspects -- 1 With Distinct Walk -- Captured In Somerset County Gunshot Killing
2 Suspects -- 1 With Distinct Walk -- Captured In Somerset County Gunshot Killing Two suspects including one with a distinct walk wanted in a Somerset County gunshot killing have been arrested, authorities said. William Brandon, 28, of Somerset, and Chris Gardner, 29, of New Brunswick, were charged in the killing of Raphael Edwards on July 7, in Franklin Township, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said in a joint release. Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, Inc. had offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification and arrests of one or more suspects responsible for the shooting. A two-month investigation identified one sus…
Authorities: Man Fired Nearly 30 Shots Each Into Pair Of Somerset County Homes Authorities: Man Fired Nearly 30 Shots Each Into Pair Of Somerset County Homes
Authorities: Man Fired Nearly 30 Shots Each Into Pair Of Somerset County Homes A 20-year-old man was arrested months after firing nearly 30 shots each into a pair of occupied Somerset County homes. Kevin Lewis, of Somerset, was being held in the Somerset County Jail Monday on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and weapons offenses, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. No injuries were reported when Lewis fired 27 shots into an occupied Barker Road home in Franklin Township around 4:30 a.m., Dec. 30, 2019, Robertson said.  The 70-year-old victim was treated and released from an area hospital with non-life threatening inj…