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Police & Fire
Toms River Woman Who Robbed Woman With Knife, Had Cocaine, Sentenced, Prosecutors Say Toms River Woman Who Robbed Woman With Knife, Had Cocaine, Sentenced, Prosecutors Say
Toms River Woman Who Robbed Woman With Knife, Had Cocaine, Sentenced, Prosecutors Say A Toms River woman will spend several years in prison after admitting to robbing another woman with a knife, having cocaine, and spitting in the faces of officers, authorities said. Olivia Paige, 35, was sentenced on Friday, June 29 to seven years in prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release on Monday, July 1. She pleaded guilty on Monday, Apr. 22 to robbery, possession of cocaine, and aggravated assault. Brick Township police responded to a shoplifting report at a convenience store on Maple Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. Officers determine…

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by Chris Spiker
Obituaries
Victim Of Ocean County Shooting, 25, Was 'Vibrant' Mom Survived By Young Son, Obituary Says Victim Of Ocean County Shooting, 25, Was 'Vibrant' Mom Survived By Young Son, Obituary Says
Victim Of Ocean County Shooting, 25, Was 'Vibrant' Mom Survived By Young Son, Obituary Says Shock and sadness spread following the shooting death of a Gabriella Caroleo, a 25-year-old Ocean County resident. Gabriella was identified by a GoFundMe campaign as the victim of the Thursday, June, 27 Manchester shooting. Among those left mourning her loss is her son, Calvin Brodie Jr., who is 3 years old. "Gabriella has left us all way to soon," reads the campaign launched by Matthew Souders. "She was taken from us on June 27th in the horrific shooting in Manchester. The family is so heartbroken over this tragic loss." "We are raising money for Gabriella’s funeral so we all can say our…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Amazon Van Caused Crash That Hospitalized Two People In South Jersey, Police Say Amazon Van Caused Crash That Hospitalized Two People In South Jersey, Police Say
Amazon Van Caused Crash That Hospitalized Two People In South Jersey, Police Say Two people were injured in a three-vehicle crash involving an Amazon delivery van in Ocean County, authorities said. Manchester Township police responded to the crash near the intersection of Route 70 and Beckerville Road at around 2:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, the department said in a news release. Officers found a silver 2011 Saab 93 Aero on fire with no one inside the car, which was facing west in the eastbound lane of Beckerville Road. A blue 2020 Ram ProMaster used as an Amazon van had front-end damage and faced north in the eastbound lane of Beckerville. A 2012 Chrysler also ha…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Spa Owner Arrested After Prostitution Suspected At Two Jersey Shore Massage Parlors Spa Owner Arrested After Prostitution Suspected At Two Jersey Shore Massage Parlors
Spa Owner Arrested After Prostitution Suspected At Two Jersey Shore Massage Parlors An Egg Harbor Township woman was accused of owning two spas in Ocean County that engaged in prostitution, authorities said. Kani Peng, 53, was charged with promoting prostitution, maintaining a nuisance, financial facilitation, and engaging in prostitution. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, along with the police chiefs in Barnegat and Stafford townships, announced her arrest in a joint news release on Thursday, June 27. The investigation focused on Rainbow Spa on North Main Street in Barnegat and Bay Spa on East Bay Avenue in Manahawkin between October 2023 and June.…

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by Chris Spiker
News
More Than 13,000 Without Power On Jersey Shore After Substation Failure More Than 13,000 Without Power On Jersey Shore After Substation Failure
More Than 13,000 Without Power On Jersey Shore After Substation Failure Thousands of residents in two Ocean County townships were without power after severe thunderstorms raced across the northeast and caused a substation to fail, officials said. According to the outage map for Jersey Central Power & Light, 13,688 customers had no electricity as of 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 27. More than 13,000 of those affected were living in Barnegat or Waretown. The JCP&L data said nearly 100 percent (8,606) of Barnegat's 8,620 customers and about 86 percent (4,607) of Ocean Township's 5,355 customers lost power. Most of the remaining outages were in Jackson Townsh…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
'A Fight We Cannot Win': Vet-Owned Jersey Shore Brewery Closing After Years Of Pints, Charity 'A Fight We Cannot Win': Vet-Owned Jersey Shore Brewery Closing After Years Of Pints, Charity
'A Fight We Cannot Win': Vet-Owned Jersey Shore Brewery Closing After Years Of Pints, Charity An Ocean County brewery run by an Army veteran will serve its final pint after nearly a decade in business. Backward Flag Brewing Company announced on social media that it will permanently close on Saturday, June 29. The Forked River brewery will host an event starting at noon for "one last party" and "one final toast." The brewery thanked its fans and supporters in its announcement. "We know how hard this news will hit some," Backward Flag posted. "We feel that sting too. We have fought to keep our doors open for a while now, but this is a fight we cannot win." Yes. It is true,…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Lightning Strike Confirmed Cause Of Death For 59-Year-Old 'Cowboy Hero' On NJ Beach Lightning Strike Confirmed Cause Of Death For 59-Year-Old 'Cowboy Hero' On NJ Beach
Lightning Strike Confirmed Cause Of Death For 59-Year-Old 'Cowboy Hero' On NJ Beach A Toms River man died from a lightning strike on an Ocean County beach, authorities said. A Seaside Park Police Department spokesperson confirmed to Daily Voice that 59-year-old Patrick Dispoto's cause of death was accidental and caused by a lightning strike. He was found unconscious on the beach near J Street at around 7:38 p.m. on Sunday, June 23. Police said Dispoto had no visible signs of injuries. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Dispoto's girlfriend Ruth said he tried to warn a group of children on the beach about the thunderstorm aft…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Mom Stabs Baby, Toddler Dead In Lakewood: Prosecutor Mom Stabs Baby, Toddler Dead In Lakewood: Prosecutor
Mom Stabs Baby, Toddler Dead In Lakewood: Prosecutor A woman in Lakewood has been charged with two counts or murder and weapons offenses in the deaths of her two children, authorities announced. Naomi Elkins, 27, is believed to have stabbed a 1- and 3-year-old child, who were found in cardiac arrest by responders at a home on Shenandoah Drive around 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Paramedics from Hatzolah Medical Services were performing lifesaving efforts when police arrived and the children were pronounced dead at the scene. Elkins was arrested at the scene and lodged in the county jail p…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
'Crazy Rescue Ladies' Plead Guilty After 170+ Pets Saved From Disgusting NJ Home: Prosecutors 'Crazy Rescue Ladies' Plead Guilty After 170+ Pets Saved From Disgusting NJ Home: Prosecutors
'Crazy Rescue Ladies' Plead Guilty After 170+ Pets Saved From Disgusting NJ Home: Prosecutors Two Brick Township women who called themselves the "Crazy Rescue Ladies" admitted to having more than 170 pets in deplorable conditions, authorities said. Michele Nycz, 60, pleaded guilty on Monday, June 24 to two counts of animal cruelty, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Aimee Lonczak, 51, also pleaded guilty on the same day to two counts of animal cruelty, along with child neglect. Brick police responded to a complaint of a suspected puppy mill run at a home on Arrowhead Park Drive on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Officers smelled a strong odor…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
'Cowboy Hero' Dies After Lightning Strike While Warning Kids On NJ Beach About Storm: Reports 'Cowboy Hero' Dies After Lightning Strike While Warning Kids On NJ Beach About Storm: Reports
'Cowboy Hero' Dies After Lightning Strike While Warning Kids On NJ Beach About Storm: Reports A Toms River man died after a reported lightning strike on an Ocean County beach, authorities said. Patrick Dispoto, 59, was found unconscious on the beach near J Street at around 7:38 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, a Seaside Park Police Department spokesperson told Daily Voice. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said Dispoto had no visible signs of injuries. There were also no witnesses so investigators haven't confirmed if his death was caused by lightning or "another medical issue." Dispoto's girlfriend Ruth said he tried to warn a group of children on the b…

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by Chris Spiker
News
$40K Mega Millions Winner Purchased At South Jersey Convenience Store $40K Mega Millions Winner Purchased At South Jersey Convenience Store
$40K Mega Millions Winner Purchased At South Jersey Convenience Store An Ocean County convenience store sold a Mega Millions ticket worth $40,000, officials said. The ticket was purchased at Lucky 2 Convenience Store on Route 70 in Lakewood, the New Jersey Lottery said in a news release. The winner matched four numbers and the Mega Ball in the drawing on Friday, June 21. The winning numbers were 3, 18, 27, 40, and 44. The Mega Ball was 19 and the Megaplier was four. No one matched all six numbers in the estimated $80 million jackpot. One lottery player in Texas matched five numbers to win $1 million. The next Mega Millions drawing is on Tuesday, J…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Arsonist Admits To Antisemitic Rampage In South Jersey Neighborhood, Prosecutors Say Arsonist Admits To Antisemitic Rampage In South Jersey Neighborhood, Prosecutors Say
Arsonist Admits To Antisemitic Rampage In South Jersey Neighborhood, Prosecutors Say A Manchester Township man admitted to an antisemitic crime spree, including arson and spray painting Nazi symbols on homes, authorities said. Ron Carr, 35, pleaded guilty on Thursday, June 20 to arson, bias intimidation, and two counts of criminal mischief. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the plea deal in a news release on Friday, June 21. Manchester police responded to vandalism reports at homes in Pine Lake Park at around 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Officers found 14 homes vandalized with spray paint, including some defaced with Nazi symbols. About …

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by Chris Spiker