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John P. McDonald

One Dead When Car Slams Tree In Somerset County (UPDATE) One Dead When Car Slams Tree In Somerset County (UPDATE)
One Dead When Car Slams Tree In Somerset County (Update) One person was killed in a crash Thursday, May 9 in Franklin Township (Somerset County), authorities confirmed. Firefighters and police were dispatched to the scene at Route 27 near Reler Lane, where a southbound vehicle struck a tree just after 8:05 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Police offices, firefighters, and EMS personnel responded to the scene. Due to the extent of the injuries sustained, the victim was pronounced dead at 9:30 a.m.  A section of Route 27 was closed for approximately four hours. The factors that contributed to the crash remain unde…
Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 27-Year-Old Woman At NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutors Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 27-Year-Old Woman At NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutors
Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 27-Year-Old Woman At NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutors A 27-year-old Somerville man was arrested on Sunday, Feb. 4, and charged with fatally stabbing Maryrose Fealey last week, authorities said. David Shroitman was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon, tampering with physical evidence, and hindering apprehension, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Maryrose Fealey Facebook Fealey, a Somerville resident was found by Somerville police responding to a 911 call, outside a residential complex on North Bridge Street around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecuto…
Woman, 27, Dies After Being Found Stabbed Outside NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutor Woman, 27, Dies After Being Found Stabbed Outside NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutor
Woman, 27, Dies After Being Found Stabbed Outside NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutor A homicide investigation has been launched after a 27-year-old woman was stabbed dead outside of a Somerset County apartment complex Tuesday night, Jan. 30, officials said. The unidentified woman was found by Somerville police responding to a 911 call, outside a residential complex on North Bridge Street around 10:20 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Somerville Police Chief Dennis Manning. A postmortem ex…
NJ Woman Tried Killing Child: Prosecutor NJ Woman Tried Killing Child: Prosecutor
NJ Woman Tried Killing Child: Prosecutor A New Jersey woman has been charged with trying to kill a child, authorities announced. Alfonsina Anguita, 21, of Manville, became the center of an investigation after a 3-year-old child was hospitalized on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The child had signs of physical abuse and strangulation, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Manville Borough Police Department Officer-In-Charge Lieutenant Craig Jeremiah. "Further medical examination revealed patterns and …
GUILTY: NJ Mom Fatally Cut 4-Year-Old Son’s Neck With Kitchen Knife, Judge Rules GUILTY: NJ Mom Fatally Cut 4-Year-Old Son’s Neck With Kitchen Knife, Judge Rules
Guilty: NJ Mom Fatally Cut 4-Year-Old Son’s Neck With Kitchen Knife, Judge Rules A Somerset County mom has been found guilty of using a kitchen knife to kill her four-year-old son in a bench trial that lasted nearly two weeks. Elina Gutti, 38, of South Bound Brook, was found guilty of three indictments charging her with first-degree murder by the Honorable Julie M. Marino, J.S.C., on Tuesday, Dec. 19, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a press release alongside local officials. According to investigators, Gutti called police just before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 stating that she had “woken up to find her wrist cut and was uncertain as to the c…
FATAL FIRE: Remains Recovered From Somerset County Thanksgiving Blaze FATAL FIRE: Remains Recovered From Somerset County Thanksgiving Blaze
Fatal Fire: Remains Recovered From Somerset County Thanksgiving Blaze One person died in a fire on Thanksgiving in Somerset County, authorities said. Only one person was home when the fire broke out just before 11:50 p.m. on Amwell Road in Franklin Township, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. ALSO SEE: Sudden Death Of 'MVP' Police Detective Greg Wilson Shakes Franklin Township The fire was raging when Franklin Township firefighters and police officers responded. After the flames were put out, firefighters recovered the remains of an occupant, McDonald said. The victim has not yet been positively identified. The New Jersey Northern …
Hostage Emerges Screaming, With Stab Wounds After 4-Hour SWAT Standoff In NJ: Prosecutor Hostage Emerges Screaming, With Stab Wounds After 4-Hour SWAT Standoff In NJ: Prosecutor
Hostage Emerges Screaming, With Stab Wounds After 4-Hour SWAT Standoff In NJ: Prosecutor Police have released details and made an arrest in a nearly five-hour SWAT standoff involving a hostage Friday, Nov. 10 in Somerset County. Police received 9-1-1 calls saying a man later identified as Alonzo D. Blakey, 50, was holding a female relative against her will in his apartment on Columbia Drive in Finderne, around 7:20 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Blakely was threatening to harm himself and the victim when Bridgewater police arrived, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., Bridgewate…
Shooting Led To Car Crash In Somerset County: Prosecutor Shooting Led To Car Crash In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Shooting Led To Car Crash In Somerset County: Prosecutor Authoritiew in Somerset County are investigating a shooting that resulted in a car crashing. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 9:09 p.m., Franklin Township Police officers were dispatched to Matilda Avenue for gunshots fired and a vehicle crash, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle that crashed into a local business, he said.  A passenger in the vehicle, an adult male Franklin Township resident sustained injuries from the crash and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment with non-life-threateni…
Sex Assault Strangulation Among Charges For Somerset County Attacker: Prosecutor Sex Assault Strangulation Among Charges For Somerset County Attacker: Prosecutor
Sex Assault Strangulation Among Charges For Somerset County Attacker: Prosecutor A 42-year-old Somerset County man has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman who he knew earlier this month, authorities said. Mateo Espinal-Brito, of Franklin Township, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman early Monday, Sept. 11, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The alleged incident occurred in Franklin Township and was reported that day around 5 a.m., the prosecutor said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather. Following an investig…
DWI Off-Duty Officer Charged In Double-Fatal Somerset County Crash, Victims IDd: Prosecutor DWI Off-Duty Officer Charged In Double-Fatal Somerset County Crash, Victims IDd: Prosecutor
DWI Off-Duty Officer Charged In Double-Fatal Somerset County Crash, Victims IDd: Prosecutor An off-duty Edison police officer was charged with vehicular homicide in connection with one of the two double-fatal crashes that occurred in Somerset County over the weekend, authorities announced. Amitoj Oberoi, 29, of Somerset, was charged with two counts of first-degree vehicular homicide, as well as DWI, and several motor vehicle violations, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Wednesday, Aug. 30. Oberoi is employed as an Edison police officer and was off-duty at the time of the crash, the prosecutor said. Oberoi was driving a 2007 Audi Q7 heading southbound on Somerset St…
4 Dead In 2 Separate Weekend Crashes In Somerset County 4 Dead In 2 Separate Weekend Crashes In Somerset County
4 Dead In 2 Separate Weekend Crashes In Somerset County Two separate double-fatal accidents left four people dead over the weekend in Somerset County. The first incident was reported on Friday, Aug. 25 just before 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Dukes Parkway East in Manville, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. A 75-year-old Manville woman was heading northbound in the right lane of Main Street in a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse when she ran a red light and struck a 52-year-old East Newark man in a 2018 Mercedes Benz C300 heading eastbound from Dukes Parkway into the shopping center on the northbound side…
NJ Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Prosecutor NJ Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Prosecutor
NJ Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Prosecutor A New Jersey bus monitor has been arrested following the death of a 6-year-old girl who died during a bus ride this week, authorities said. Amanda Davila, 27, of New Brunswick, has been charged with second-degree Manslaughter, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, after fastening the harness of a child's wheelchair too tight, blocking her airway, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. An investigation found that Davila, who was assigned as the school bus monitor, had fastened the girl's 4-point harness that secures her to her wheelchair too "to become tight a…
Somerset County Jewelry Store Robbed At Gunpoint In Broad Daylight: Prosecutor Somerset County Jewelry Store Robbed At Gunpoint In Broad Daylight: Prosecutor
Somerset County Jewelry Store Robbed At Gunpoint In Broad Daylight: Prosecutor Investigators are seeking clues on a gunpoint robbery that occurred at a Somerset County jewelry in broad daylight store earlier this week. The Franklin Township Police Department responded to the call at the unnamed store just after 11:55 p.m. on Monday, May 1, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a Thursday release. A trio of men allegedly broke the glass front door while a fourth stayed outside in a getaway car. One of the men entered the store wielding a handgun at the workers as the other two men “proceeded to smash the glass display cases and steal an undisclosed amoun…
DWI Wife Fatally Ran Over Husband With Car In Somerset County: Prosecutor DWI Wife Fatally Ran Over Husband With Car In Somerset County: Prosecutor
DWI Wife Fatally Ran Over Husband With Car In Somerset County: Prosecutor A Somerset County woman was DWI when fatally ran her husband over with a car in February 2023, authorities said. Amanda O'Keefe, 37, had a blood alcohol level over the legal limit when she ran over her husband, Robert O'Keefe, 41, in Hillsborough on Saturday, Feb. 25, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Robert was pronounced dead outside of his Clark Lane home around 2:30 a.m., McDonald said. O'Keefe surrendered to authorities on Wednesday, March, 29, on charges of second-degree death by auto. She was lodged in the Somerset County Jail and released on Thur…
Bandana-Wearing Masturbator Spotted On Homeowner's Somerset County Lawn Bandana-Wearing Masturbator Spotted On Homeowner's Somerset County Lawn
Bandana-Wearing Masturbator Spotted On Homeowner's Somerset County Lawn A Somerset County resident complained of a man in a bandana masturbating on his front lawn, authorities said. Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald and other officials said similar indecent exposure crimes were reported last year in Hillsborough Township. The latest incident occurred on Meadowbrook Drive during the evening hours of Wednesday, March 22, McDonald said. At approximately 10:15 p.m., Hillsborough Township Police were dispatched to Meadowbrook Drive on a report of indecent exposure involving an unknown white man. Responding Officers canvassed the area but were unsuccessfu…
Man Struck Dead By Family Member In Somerset County: Prosecutor Man Struck Dead By Family Member In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Man Struck Dead By Family Member In Somerset County: Prosecutor A 41-year-old man was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by a family member over the weekend, authorities in Somerset County said. The unidentified victim was hit around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, outside of his home on Clark Lane in Hillsborough, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The death remains under investigation by detectives pending an autopsy and toxicology report from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office and the results of the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team’s findings. No criminal charges have been filed. Detectives from the…
Memorial For Councilman Shot Dead At PSE&G Will Help Daughter Through College In PA Memorial For Councilman Shot Dead At PSE&G Will Help Daughter Through College In PA
Memorial For Councilman Shot Dead At PSE&G Will Help Daughter Through College In PA A former PSE&G employee shot and killed his supervisor outside the utility company's Somerset County facility on Wednesday, Feb. 8,  authorities say.  But this "one-of-a-kind" man's legacy will live on through his daughter, according to his family. Russell "Russ" D. Heller, 51-year-old councilman in Milford, NJ, was gunned down by 58-year-old Gary T. Curtis on Weston Canal Road in Franklin Township shortly after 7 a.m. Feb. 8, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Curtis soon turned the gun on himself, and both men died the same day, as Daily Voice previously reported.  H…
Motive In PSE&G Killing Revealed Motive In PSE&G Killing Revealed
Motive In PSE&G Killing Revealed Authorities in Somerset County have announced a motive for this week's fatal shooting of a PSE&G employee. Gary T. Curtis is believed to have shot Russell D. Heller outside of the company's Weston Canal Road facility in Somerset due to "prior employment disciplinary actions between subordinate and supervisor," Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Curtis, 58, a former PSE&G employee, shot Heller, 51, an active PSE&G employee, outside of his vehicle around 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, McDonald said. Curtis was later found dead in Bridgewater with a self-inflicted gunsh…
Former PSE&G Worker Found Dead After Fatal Shooting Of Councilman At Somerset Facility Former PSE&G Worker Found Dead After Fatal Shooting Of Councilman At Somerset Facility
Former PSE&G Worker Found Dead After Fatal Shooting Of Councilman At Somerset Facility A former PSE&G employee shot and killed a supervisor outside the utility company's Somerset County facility early Wednesday before eventually turning the gun on himself, authorities confirmed. Gary T. Curtis, 58, shot Russell D. Heller, of Milford, of Washington, at PSE&G's Central Division Headquarters on Weston Canal Road in Franklin Township shortly after 7 a.m. Feb. 8, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Heller — who was a council member in Milford — died at the scene of a gunshot wound to the head, the State Police Regional Operations & Intelligence Center (…
NJ Apartment Complex Manager Was Renting Some Units On Her Own, Pocketing Cash: Prosecutor NJ Apartment Complex Manager Was Renting Some Units On Her Own, Pocketing Cash: Prosecutor
NJ Apartment Complex Manager Was Renting Some Units On Her Own, Pocketing Cash: Prosecutor A Somerset County property manager was renting out apartments without her boss's knowledge and pocketing the "rent" for herself, authorities claim.  Yessica Gonzalez, 44, of Ewing, is held at the county lockup on multiple charges of theft and forgery related to the scam that Prosecutor John P. McDonald says she ran for years.  From 2019 to 2022, investigators say Gonzalez was "leasing" units at the Montgomery Township property where she worked without actually informing her employer about the new tenants.  Prosecutors say she forged the property owner's name on the leasing d…
Burglar Stole Items From Central Jersey Family's Safe: Prosecutor Burglar Stole Items From Central Jersey Family's Safe: Prosecutor
Burglar Stole Items From Central Jersey Family's Safe: Prosecutor A 42-year-old man from Irvington has been arrested for stealing from a family's safe in Watchung, authorities said. Randolph C. McLeod was charged with burglary, theft and several other charges. The theft occurred about 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6 on Johnston Drive, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Watchung Borough Police Chief Andrew Hart. Police observed evidence of forced entry at the residence and learned that the victim responded home to numerous items missing from a safe in…
Rifle-Wielding Man At Wawa Captured After SWAT Standoff In Somerset County: Prosecutor Rifle-Wielding Man At Wawa Captured After SWAT Standoff In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Rifle-Wielding Man At Wawa Captured After SWAT Standoff In Somerset County: Prosecutor A 27-year-old man who police say showed an AR-15-style rifle to a Wawa employee before crashing his car and leaving magazines behind was in custody after a SWAT standoff at his house hours later, according to authorities in Somerset County. Joshua A. Kinney apparently showed the weapon to workers at the Wawa on Route 26 in Montgomery Township, just before his family called police, concerned for his well-being around 3:!5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Two female customers told responding officers they heard gunshots as Kinney fled the parking …
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…
Some Details Released In Death Of 2-Year-Old Pulled From Hot Car In NJ Some Details Released In Death Of 2-Year-Old Pulled From Hot Car In NJ
Some Details Released In Death Of 2-Year-Old Pulled From Hot Car In NJ Authorities have disclosed some details surrounding the death of a 2-year-old girl pulled from a hot car Tuesday, Aug. 30. An off-duty firefighter and neighbor was performing CPR on the toddler when authorities arrived at the scene on Summerall Road in Franklin Township around 2:20 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Officers assisted in life-saving measures until Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital ALS and BLS medics arrived and took over. The girl was pronounced deceased at the scene. It was not clear exactly how long the girl had been in the car. The circumstan…
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 …
Sex Assault Suspect Nabbed Masturbating On Central Jersey Bridge: Prosecutor Sex Assault Suspect Nabbed Masturbating On Central Jersey Bridge: Prosecutor
Sex Assault Suspect Nabbed Masturbating On Central Jersey Bridge: Prosecutor Composite sketches helped lead to the arrest of a man who publicly masturbated and sexually assaulted a victim at knifepoint in a park, authorities in Somerset County announced. On May 16, a female running on a trail near Blackwells Mills and Canal roads in Franklin Township called police to report that a man, later identified as 38-year-old Rogelio Calyeca Postrero, of Raritan, tackled her to the ground and tried sexually assaulting her, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The suspect fled the area on a bicycle, McDonald said. Then, on July 18, a second victim told polic…
Gas Station Fight Leads To Attempted Murder Charge For Somerset Man: Prosecutor Gas Station Fight Leads To Attempted Murder Charge For Somerset Man: Prosecutor
Gas Station Fight Leads To Attempted Murder Charge For Somerset Man: Prosecutor A 32-year-old Somerset man has been charged with attempted murder when a gas station fight turned into a stabbing last month, authorities said. After Matthew B. Hall and the victim shoved each other, Hall went to his car at some point during the 12:30 a.m. argument in Franklin Township to get a weapon on July 23, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Hall tried hitting the victim with the weapon, and the victim tried to drive away, but was followed by Hall, McDonald said. Hall apparently stabbed the victim while sitting at a traffic light at Demott Lane and Easton…
Roommates Running Cocaine Ring Arrested In Central Jersey: Prosecutor Roommates Running Cocaine Ring Arrested In Central Jersey: Prosecutor
Roommates Running Cocaine Ring Arrested In Central Jersey: Prosecutor Authorities in Central Jersey dismantled a cocaine distribution ring, leading to three arrests, police said. Christian Duarte, 44, Fernando Villa, 35, and David Hernandez-Garcia, 22, all of Elizabeth Street, in South Bound Brook, were arrested on various drug and distribution charges, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Duarte was arrested outside of his home during the ongoing investigation on Wednesday, June 29, and found with approximately 2.5 ounces of cocaine, McDonald said. Detectives obtained a Superior Court ordered search warrant for the Elizabeth Street residen…
Victim Beat Dead By Man Helping Him Move In Central Jersey: Prosecutor Victim Beat Dead By Man Helping Him Move In Central Jersey: Prosecutor
Victim Beat Dead By Man Helping Him Move In Central Jersey: Prosecutor A 50-year-old man was assaulted and killed in a Central Jersey driveway by a man helping him move, authorities said. Samuel C. Coggins, 30, of Flemington, has been charged with murder in the death of Augustine Garcia, of Manville, Thursday, July 14, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Coggins was helping Garcia and another resident move from a home on North 12th Avenue in Manville when Coggins assaulted Garcia in the driveway just before 3 p.m., Mcdonald said. Garcia was found unresponsive with a severe head injury outside the home, and Coggins remained at the scene…
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor A 25-year-old woman wanted on warrants out of multiple Central Jersey towns arrested for leading a Route 202 police pursuit before crashing, authorities said. Police tried stopping Jerrie Lee Williams, of Bound Brook, around 11:05 p.m. in Branchburg when they noticed she had an expired registration, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Williams failed to stop when signaled by the officer activating his emergency police lights and siren, McDonald said. Instead, she fled on Holland Brook Road at a high rate of speed.  The officer deactivated his police emergency l…