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Ocean County, NJ

Ocean County Residents Snag $50K, $25K In NJ Lottery Second-Chance Drawing Ocean County Residents Snag $50K, $25K In NJ Lottery Second-Chance Drawing
Ocean County Residents Snag $50K, $25K In NJ Lottery Second-Chance Drawing A Middlesex County man is now a millionaire and more than a dozen other Garden State residents are several thousand dollars richer, thanks to New Jersey Lottery’s Million Dollar Replay Grand Prize Drawing. Daniel DeSanto was named the top winner at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City Hotel, Casino and Marina on Friday, March 14, where more than $1.5 million in prizes were awarded in the annual second-chance drawing, officials said. “They called my name and I didn’t know what hit me,” DeSanto said. “I just won a million dollars, and I can't believe it. Maybe I can retire a little earlier.” Thro…
NJ Corrections Lt. Stole, Sold $475K In State Ammo, Prosecutors Say NJ Corrections Lt. Stole, Sold $475K In State Ammo, Prosecutors Say
NJ Corrections Lt. Stole, Sold $475K In State Ammo, Prosecutors Say A New Jersey Department of Corrections lieutenant in charge of managing state ammunition stockpiles was charged with stealing and selling taxpayer-funded ammo for personal profit, authorities said. Timothy Morris, 56, of Bayville (Ocean County), who served as NJDOC’s Range Master, is accused of illegally ordering excess ammunition and selling it on the secondary market, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced. Morris allegedly pocketed more than $475,000 through this scheme while attempting to conceal his financial transactions, prosecutors said. Morris, who has held his Range Master…
Berkeley Twp Parents Facing Long Road To Recovery After Being Shot By Neighbor: Campaign Berkeley Twp Parents Facing Long Road To Recovery After Being Shot By Neighbor: Campaign
Berkeley Twp Parents Facing Long Road To Recovery After Being Shot By Neighbor: Campaign A pair of Jersey Shore residents are facing a long road to recovery after they were shot by their neighbor in their home on Monday, March 10, according to a fundraiser set up to support them. Please keep those prayers going for Jill Gawarkiewicz Kwatkoski and Tom!!! This article sheds some light on what... Posted by Linda Klimkowski Flynn on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 At 4:45 p.m., Berkeley Township police responded to Drake Drive and found Tom and Jill Kwatkoski suffering from a gunshot wound, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Billhimer later identified the shooter as Joh…
NJ Wife Believed Strangled By Husband Leaves 4 Young Kids Behind, Campaign Says NJ Wife Believed Strangled By Husband Leaves 4 Young Kids Behind, Campaign Says
NJ Wife Believed Strangled By Husband Leaves 4 Young Kids Behind, Campaign Says Cheyanne Juarez was a 30-year-old South Toms River mother with four young children, those who knew her said. Last week, she was strangled with a belt at the hands of her 38-year-old husband, Gustavo Juarez-Perez, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Cheyanne's death has spread shock and sadness through the community as she leaves behind four young children, loved ones say. "Cheyanne was one of the kindest, most caring, hardworking, and funniest women we had the privilege of knowing and loving," Rosaura Roustand, who is organizing a fundraiser for Juarez's children, wro…
Gunman Dies By Suicide After Shooting Next Door Neighbors In Berkeley Township: Prosecutor Gunman Dies By Suicide After Shooting Next Door Neighbors In Berkeley Township: Prosecutor
Gunman Dies By Suicide After Shooting Next Door Neighbors In Berkeley Township: Prosecutor A husband and wife were shot by their next door neighbor, who later died by suicide in Berkeley Township on Monday, March 10, authorities said. At 4:45 p.m., Berkeley Township police responded to Drake Drive and found a man and a woman suffering from a gunshot wound, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.  An investigation determined John Adamo, 54, shot the man while he was located outside his neighboring residence, then shot into the home, striking the woman, Billhimer said.  Adamo retreated into his own residence, Billhimer said. The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team we…
Major Fentanyl Bust: Dealer Jailed, Another On The Run In Ocean County, Prosecutor Says Major Fentanyl Bust: Dealer Jailed, Another On The Run In Ocean County, Prosecutor Says
Major Fentanyl Bust: Dealer Jailed, Another On The Run In Ocean County, Prosecutor Says A month-long narcotics investigation in Ocean County led to the arrests of three people accused of distributing cocaine and fentanyl-laced pills, authorities said. Detectives identified a Dock Avenue residence in Ocean Township (Waretown) as a stash house used by Joelene Leck, 31, of Waretown, to store and distribute illegal narcotics, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced. On Feb. 25, detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean Township Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspector Service conducted surveillance on the residence an…
Juvenile Hit 118 MPH In Police Pursuit That Left Two People Dead In Toms River: Prosecutor Juvenile Hit 118 MPH In Police Pursuit That Left Two People Dead In Toms River: Prosecutor
Juvenile Hit 118 MPH In Police Pursuit That Left Two People Dead In Toms River: Prosecutor A juvenile driver has been charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated manslaughter, after a high-speed police chase ended in a deadly crash that killed two people and critically injured two others on Friday, March 7 in Toms River, officials said. The crash happened at 10:58 p.m., when a white BMW speeding at 118 mph collided with a Toyota Camry at the intersection of Route 37 and Route 166, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. The Toms River Township Police Department initially spotted the BMW speeding eastbound over the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge around 10:45 p…
Wrong-Way Driver Triggers Fiery 8-Car Crash On Route 70, Two Critical: Prosecutor Wrong-Way Driver Triggers Fiery 8-Car Crash On Route 70, Two Critical: Prosecutor
Wrong-Way Driver Triggers Fiery 8-Car Crash On Route 70, Two Critical: Prosecutor A Cadillac driver traveling the wrong way on Route 70 triggered a devastating eight-car crash that left two people critically injured, officials said. The fiery collision happened at 5:50 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, in the area of Route 70 and Airport Road in Lakewood, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Investigators determined that a Cadillac CT5 Blackwing was speeding westbound in the eastbound lanes when it slammed head-on into a Mazda CX5, Billhimer said. The impact caused a chain-reaction crash involving six additional vehicles, officials said. The Cadillac …
NJ Sports Chiropractor, 68, Sexually Assaults Female Patient: Prosecutor NJ Sports Chiropractor, 68, Sexually Assaults Female Patient: Prosecutor
NJ Sports Chiropractor, 68, Sexually Assaults Female Patient: Prosecutor A 68-year-old chiropractor has been charged with sexually assaulting a female patient last month, authorities said.  James Royle, of New Egypt, was charged with criminal sexual contact in connection with the incident Friday, Feb. 14 in Jackson Township, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. On Feb. 26, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Jackson Township Police Department were contacted by a female victim who claimed that she was touched inappropriately during a chiropractic adjustment by Royle, a chiropractor and owner of Royle Sports Chirop…
Trio Including Ex-Track Star Charged In Toms River Drive-By Shooting Involving Kids: Prosecutor Trio Including Ex-Track Star Charged In Toms River Drive-By Shooting Involving Kids: Prosecutor
Trio Including Ex-Track Star Charged In Toms River Drive-By Shooting Involving Kids: Prosecutor Three men are facing attempted murder charges after authorities say they opened fire on a Toms River home with an adult and two children inside. Lyjhahn Cromartie, 19, of Lakehurst, and Shazir Vallade, 20, of Lakewood, were arrested on Feb. 28, 2025, after investigators identified them as suspects in the Jan. 13, shooting, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced. The arrests follow the earlier capture of Javir Askew-Mayweather, 21, a former track star in Manchester, who was taken into custody in Atlantic City and later released under New Jersey Bail Reform policies, …
Ocean County Performing Arts Teacher Avoids Prison After Sexual Contact With Minor Prosecutor Ocean County Performing Arts Teacher Avoids Prison After Sexual Contact With Minor Prosecutor
Ocean County Performing Arts Teacher Avoids Prison After Sexual Contact With Minor Prosecutor A 57-year-old former performing arts teacher in Ocean County was sentenced to parole supervision on Friday, Feb. 28, after pleading guilty to having inappropriate sexual contact with a child, authorities said. Douglas Bollinger, a Neptune City resident, is banned from having any contact with the victim and must permanently forfeit any future public employment and teaching certifications in the State of New Jersey. Bollinger pleaded guilty last November to endangering the welfare of a child, Billhimer said. An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Vict…
Ocean County Man Trying To Lure Girl For Sex Sent His Drivers License To Undercover Cop: AG Ocean County Man Trying To Lure Girl For Sex Sent His Drivers License To Undercover Cop: AG
Ocean County Man Trying To Lure Girl For Sex Sent His Drivers License To Undercover Cop: AG A 39-year-old Ocean County man was arrested and charged on Friday, Feb. 28 with trying to lure young children for sexual activity, authorities said. On Friday, Feb. 7,  an undercover law enforcement officer purporting to be an adult male with access to a 6-year-old girl was contacted on an online platform by a user, later identified as Daniel Dagostino, of the platform, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. The undercover officer and the other user moved their conversation to a messaging app, where the undercover mentioned he had access to an 8-year-old girl and a 10-year-old gir…
Jersey Shore Man Indicted For Killing Air Force Vet, Roommate: Officials Jersey Shore Man Indicted For Killing Air Force Vet, Roommate: Officials
Jersey Shore Man Indicted For Killing Air Force Vet, Roommate: Officials A 39-year-old Jackson Township man was indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday, Feb. 26 for murdering his roommate, authorities said. At 5:55 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, Robert Sunris, 74, was found fatally stabbed in the chest, with a knife near his body, in a home on Maple Street, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. An investigation determined Louis Gargiso, Sunris' roommate, was the person responsible and he was arrested that same day, authorities said. He has remained in Ocean County Jail since his arrest, Billhimer said. Sunris' obituary says he was a Neptune High Sc…
PA Arsonist In Stolen Car Who Fled From Cops Surrenders: Ocean County Prosecutor PA Arsonist In Stolen Car Who Fled From Cops Surrenders: Ocean County Prosecutor
PA Arsonist In Stolen Car Who Fled From Cops Surrenders: Ocean County Prosecutor A 29-year-old Pennsylvania woman was arrested and charged with setting fires and fleeing from police in Ocean County last weekend, authorities said.  On Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 8:40 p.m., the Surf City Police and Fire Departments were dispatched for a report of a structure fire on North Central Avenue, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. A firefighter was injured while extinguishing the blaze, Billhimer said. An investigation determined the fire was intentionally set, Billhimer said. While investigating the fire, detectives discovered that same day, officers from t…
Man Accidentally Shot Himself With Stolen Handgun: Ocean County Prosecutor Man Accidentally Shot Himself With Stolen Handgun: Ocean County Prosecutor
Man Accidentally Shot Himself With Stolen Handgun: Ocean County Prosecutor A 58-year-old man was arrested and charged after he shot himself with a stolen handgun on Sunday, Feb. 23 and lied about it to police, authorities said. At 2:40 a.m., Manchester Township police responded to a residence in Whiting and found Richard Rokicki with a gunshot wound, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. He was transported to a nearby hospital, authorities said. Rokicki told police that while a friend was visiting his home, he asked the friend if he could hold his firearm, Billhimer said.  Rokicki told police he accidently shot himself in the leg, at which time…
Stab Wound To The Heart: Suspect Convicted Of Ocean County Manslaughter, Prosecutor Says Stab Wound To The Heart: Suspect Convicted Of Ocean County Manslaughter, Prosecutor Says
Stab Wound To The Heart: Suspect Convicted Of Ocean County Manslaughter, Prosecutor Says A 28-year-old Jackson man faces up to 30 years in prison after he was convicted on Friday, Feb. 21 of fatally stabbing a man in the heart in 2020. On Friday, June 19, at 5 a.m., Jackson Township police found Isaiah Renouf, a 23-year-old Jackson resident on the floor of a Cannon Blvd. residence with a large wound to his chest, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Renouf was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, Billhimer said.  An investigation revealed J'Shawn Cutler stabbed Renouf. He was apprehended that same day following a traffic stop in Lakewood. Cu…
Another Man Accused Of Exposing Himself To Young Girls In Ocean County: Prosecutor Another Man Accused Of Exposing Himself To Young Girls In Ocean County: Prosecutor
Another Man Accused Of Exposing Himself To Young Girls In Ocean County: Prosecutor The day after authorities announced the arrest of an 18-year-old ski-masked man masturbating in front of young females, officials in the same county announced a similar arrest. Michael Marto, 28, of Tuckerton, exposed his penis to a 10-year-old girl, propositioned two 15-year-old girls, and made sexual comments toward a 17-year-old girl — all in Lakewood, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Marto's arrest comes one day after that of Massinissa Ladj, who wore a ski mask as he drove around and masturbated in front of females as young as 12 years old in Lakewood, polic…
Ski-Masked Jackson Masturbator Who Summoned Females In Lakewood Arrested: Prosecutor Ski-Masked Jackson Masturbator Who Summoned Females In Lakewood Arrested: Prosecutor
Ski-Masked Jackson Masturbator Who Summoned Females In Lakewood Arrested: Prosecutor An 18-year-old man who lured multiple females including a pre-teen to his vehicle, masturbated in front of most of them, and then drove off in multiple Ocean County towns has been arrested. Massinissa Ladj, of Jackson, has been charged with sexual assault, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and four counts of lewdness, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. On Jan. 24, Lakewood police were notified that a male wearing a ski mask and driving a black vehicle motioned to a 16-year-old girl who was walking down East 5th Avenue to approach his car the previ…
Ghost Guns, Meth, Firearm Seized From Pair In Ocean County Raid: AG Ghost Guns, Meth, Firearm Seized From Pair In Ocean County Raid: AG
Ghost Guns, Meth, Firearm Seized From Pair In Ocean County Raid: AG Two Ocean County residents are facing charges following a raid on Wednesday, Feb. 19 that turned up numerous ghost guns and methamphetamine, authorities said. Law enforcement conducted search warrants at multiple locations and recovered and seized, guns, including guns with no serial number- "ghost guns," extended magazines, and a quantity of methamphetamine, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. The defendants, George Garulle, 56, of Beachwood, and Dana Restaino, 39, of Whiting, conspired to sell a defaced firearm with no serial number, Platkin said. They were charge…
Driver Crashes Car On NJ Boardwalk: Firefighters Driver Crashes Car On NJ Boardwalk: Firefighters
Driver Crashes Car On NJ Boardwalk: Firefighters A driver lost control of his car, crashing onto a boardwalk in Ocean County on the early morning of Sunday, Feb. 16, authorities said. At 1:18 a.m., first responders in Island Heights were dispatched to a crash on River Avenue and found a vehicle that had lost control and driven up onto the boardwalk, Island Heights Volunteer Fire Co. 1 said. The crash caused extensive damage to a portion of the boardwalk before crashing into and knocking over a street light, firefighters said.. Crews secured the vehicle battery and made sure there was no fire hazard from the power lines that were…
3,300 Without Power In Ocean County 3,300 Without Power In Ocean County
3,300 Without Power In Ocean County Thousands of New Jersey residents remained without power Monday morning, Feb. 17, after wind gusts of nearly 70 mph over the weekend. According to the PSE&G outage center, the following areas were in the dark as of 7:50 a.m: Burlington County: 2,400 Camden County: 787 Mercer County: 1,900 According to JCP&L, the same was true for the following customers: Hunterdon County: 2,075 Mercer County: 787 Middlesex County: 3,236 Monmouth County: 6,384 Morris County: 1,600 Ocean County: 3,300 Restoration times are varied. The highest wind gust in the state was 71 mph, …
Berkeley Twp Man Used Kik Messaging App To Send, Receive Child Porn: Prosecutor Berkeley Twp Man Used Kik Messaging App To Send, Receive Child Porn: Prosecutor
Berkeley Twp Man Used Kik Messaging App To Send, Receive Child Porn: Prosecutor A 26-year-old Ocean County man has been arrested on child pornography charges, authorities said. Mario Calabrese, of Berkeley Township, was sending and receiving images of child pornography from the internet using a KiK Messenger account, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said following an investigation. An investigation into the accounts found images and videos of child pornography that had been uploaded and sent via Kik by Calabrese, Billhimer said. On Feb. 13, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad executed a court-authorized search warrant on Ca…
MUGSHOT: NJ Veterinarian's Accused Killer Pictured In Newly-Released Photo MUGSHOT: NJ Veterinarian's Accused Killer Pictured In Newly-Released Photo
Mugshot: NJ Veterinarian's Accused Killer Pictured In Newly-Released Photo A 27-year-old Oregon man has been arrested and charged with murder in the first degree for fatal stabbing a veterinarian last December in Cherry Hill authorities announced on Friday, Feb. 14. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 at 7:09 a.m., Cherry Hill police responded to the 100 block of Sharrowvalle Road and found Dr. Michael Anthony, a veterinarian with a practice in Haddon Heights, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said.  Cristiano Custodio-Aquino was identified as the person responsible and was apprehended on Tuesday, Feb. 11 in Fresno, Calif., by the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific…
NJ Snowstorm Shocker: These Towns Doubled Forecasts In Latest Winter Whopper NJ Snowstorm Shocker: These Towns Doubled Forecasts In Latest Winter Whopper
NJ Snowstorm Shocker: These Towns Doubled Forecasts In Latest Winter Whopper New Jersey’s latest snowstorm played favorites, dropping way more snow than expected in some spots while barely making an appearance in others, according to the National Weather Service (scroll all the way down to see totals by county). Forecasters had called for 4 to 6 inches across much of South Jersey Tuesday, Feb. 11, with Cape May and parts of Delaware expecting 6 to 8 inches. But by Wednesday morning, some towns were digging out from totals well beyond those estimates—while others were left wondering where winter went. Who Got Buried? Some towns saw their snow totals soar past expect…
Toms River Drug Raid Nets Four Arrests In Crack Cocaine Ring: Prosecutor Toms River Drug Raid Nets Four Arrests In Crack Cocaine Ring: Prosecutor
Toms River Drug Raid Nets Four Arrests In Crack Cocaine Ring: Prosecutor Four people were recently arrested after multiple searches unraveled a crack cocaine ring in Toms River, authorities said. Keith Morse, a 20-year-old Toms River resident, was using a residence on Walnut Street to store and distribute crack cocaine, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Detectives observed Morse meeting with Phillip Tarver, a 41-year-old Toms River resident on Tuesday, Jan. 21, Billhimer said. Police pulled over Tarver's vehicle on Route 37 and a search of the car turned up crack cocaine, pills and $5300 in currency. Tarver was hit with numerous drug char…
MDMA, Cocaine, Guns, Ammo, Shrooms, Weed: Ocean County Drug Dealers Busted, Prosecutors Say MDMA, Cocaine, Guns, Ammo, Shrooms, Weed: Ocean County Drug Dealers Busted, Prosecutors Say
MDMA, Cocaine, Guns, Ammo, Shrooms, Weed: Ocean County Drug Dealers Busted, Prosecutors Say Three Ocean County men were arrested and charge this week following a three-month investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County, authorities said. Investigators began surveilling the home of Elijah Metellus, a 20-year-old Beachwood resident, because it was being used to store and distribute cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA, psilocybin, and marijuana, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. On Tuesday, Feb. 4, detectives observed Dominic McGriff, a 43-year-old Beachwood resident, enter the residence, Billhimer said. McGriff then went to an apartment complex in To…
No Charges For Barnegat Driver In Deadly Route 37 Pedestrian Crash: Cops No Charges For Barnegat Driver In Deadly Route 37 Pedestrian Crash: Cops
No Charges For Barnegat Driver In Deadly Route 37 Pedestrian Crash: Cops A 56-year-old Ocean County Man was killed after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Route 37 on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 4., authorities said. At 9:02 p.m., a 2021 Honda Civic driven by a Barnegat man was traveling westbound on Route 37, when it hit Jason Matthews, an Island Heights resident, as he was crossing the roadway, Toms River police said. As a result of the crash, Matthews was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he was pronounced dead, police said.  Multiple lanes of Route 37 were shut down for several hours while the investigation …
Former HS Track Star Jailed On Murder Charges In Ocean County Former HS Track Star Jailed On Murder Charges In Ocean County
Former HS Track Star Jailed On Murder Charges In Ocean County A 20-year-old former track star at Lacey Township High School now faces murder charges, records show. Javir Askew-Mayweather was jailed on Tuesday, Feb. 4, according to the Ocean County Department of Corrections website. He faces charges of murder and attempted murder, according to the website. A spokesperson for the county prosecutor's office said the Toms River Police Department is handling the investigation. While at Lacey Township High School, Askew-Mayweather was one of the school's top runners, ranking near the top of the school record book in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, …
Powerball Ticket Sold At Ocean County Liquor Store Wins $50K Powerball Ticket Sold At Ocean County Liquor Store Wins $50K
Powerball Ticket Sold At Ocean County Liquor Store Wins $50K Two Powerball players in South Jersey found the perfect way to kick off February. The tickets, sold in Ocean County and Salem County, matched four numbers and the red Powerball in the drawing held on Saturday, Feb. 1, winning $50,000.  The tickets were sold at Wine Outlet in Point Pleasant Beach and Wawa in Pilesgrove. The winning numbers were 23, 29, 32, 49, 61 and the red Powerball was 8.
NJ Surgeon Dies After Medical Episode On Garden State Parkway: NJSP NJ Surgeon Dies After Medical Episode On Garden State Parkway: NJSP
NJ Surgeon Dies After Medical Episode On Garden State Parkway: Njsp A 54-year-old Toms River surgeon died following a medical episode while driving on the Garden State Parkway in Ocean County on Thursday, Jan. 30, authorities said. At 7:10 a.m., Dr. Jarrod Kaufman was driving a Tesla Model Y northbound on the Garden State Parkway in Lakewood Township, when his vehicle veered off the roadway into a briar patch, Chares Marchan, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said.  Kaufman sustained a medical episode and was pronounced dead at the scene, Marchan said. Born in 1970, Kaufman was a graduate of Lehigh University before earning his medical degre…
43 Times: Serial ShopRite Shoplifter Busted In Stafford, Police Say 43 Times: Serial ShopRite Shoplifter Busted In Stafford, Police Say
43 Times: Serial ShopRite Shoplifter Busted In Stafford, Police Say A 28-year-old Forked River man was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 9 and charged with shoplifting from a ShopRite in Ocean County 43 times, authorities said. Daquan Nieves stole almost $1800 worth of merchandise from the ShopRite at 297 Route 72 West in Manahawkin over two months, Stafford police said. Nieves was charged with shoplifting and released pending a court date, police said.