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Police & Fire
Homeowner Killed In Toms River Trailer Park Fire Homeowner Killed In Toms River Trailer Park Fire
Homeowner Killed In Toms River Trailer Park Fire An unidentified man was killed in a house fire at a Toms River trailer park, authorities said. On Thursday, Feb. 16 at about 3 p.m., Toms River police and firefighters were dispatched to a reported structure fire on Roberts Road.  During the primary search of the residence, the body of a dead male was discovered, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.  The decedent’s body was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for a post mortem examination and identification, he said. A firefighter was treated for a minor injury at Commu…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Ex-Long Beach Officer Stole $47K From PBA: Prosecutor Ex-Long Beach Officer Stole $47K From PBA: Prosecutor
Ex-Long Beach Officer Stole $47K From PBA: Prosecutor A retired Long Beach police officer is accused of taking $47,000 from a PBA account for his own benefit, authorities said. Jason Hildebrant, 44, of Forked River, was charged with theft by failure to make required disposition, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. The charge results from an investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crimes Squad and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Unit.  The investigation revealed that Hildebrant — a recently retired Long Beach Township Police Officer — w…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Man Indicted In Wife's Killing: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Man Indicted In Wife's Killing: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Man Indicted In Wife's Killing: Prosecutor A Monmouth County Grand Jury has indicted an Ocean County man in connection with the killing of his wife and leaving her body on the side of the road, authorities said. Jeremy B. Cruz, 51, of Forked River, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 51-year-old Dawn C. Cruz, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2022, a woman who appeared to have sustained severe injuries was observed by a concerned motorist at the intersection of Asbury and Colonial Avenues in the Townshi…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
22 Rabbits Plucked From Jersey Shore Backyard 22 Rabbits Plucked From Jersey Shore Backyard
22 Rabbits Plucked From Jersey Shore Backyard Too soon for Punxsutawney Phil. Instead, Toms River police plucked 22 rabbits from a backyard and shed. On Sunday, Jan. 29, Officer James Colline responded to Harrison Road on a referral from Toms River Animal Control. Colline checked the property and found the rabbits on the property. Due to the condition of the shed, Berkeley Hazmat was called to assist in removing the rabbits, police said. The investigation is ongoing at this time.  The rabbits were relocated to the Toms River Animal Shelter for care, police said. Colline is one of the department's HLEO…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Man Admits Selling Cocaine: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Man Admits Selling Cocaine: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Man Admits Selling Cocaine: Prosecutor A 45-year-old Jersey Shore man has admitted selling a large quantify of cocaine, authorities said. Mark Kelber, of Manalapan, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine in an amount greater than five ounces with intent to distribute, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Kelber was arrested as part of “Operation Checkmate,” a four-month-long cooperative, multi-jurisdictional investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (H…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
NYC Pair Cited For Prescription Fraud In Ocean County Drug Sting NYC Pair Cited For Prescription Fraud In Ocean County Drug Sting
NYC Pair Cited For Prescription Fraud In Ocean County Drug Sting Two New York City residents were arrested and charged with prescription fraud and other drug offenses, authorities said. On Thursday, Jan. 12, the Brick Street Crimes Unit (SCU) acted on information they received from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regarding prescription fraud.  According to the DEA, there is a small group traveling throughout NJ and beyond, targeting pharmacies for prescription fraud. Through investigative measures, Briar Mill Pharmacy was believed to be the next target, Brick police said. After speaking to the pharmacy directly, and with the help of the Ocean Co…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Police Use Of Force Justified In Knife Attack, Ocean County Prosecutor Says Police Use Of Force Justified In Knife Attack, Ocean County Prosecutor Says
Police Use Of Force Justified In Knife Attack, Ocean County Prosecutor Says An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has cleared Berkeley Township police of any wrongdoing in a "use of force" incident. The Attorney General’s Office concurred with Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer’s conclusion to forego presentation of this matter to the Grand Jury. The incident occurred on Aug. 1, 2021 at 10:39 a.m.  Berkeley Township patrol officers responded to a call at a residence on Stanford Drive following a 9-1-1 call.  Dispatch warned responding officers that the subject, Stephen M. Carroccia, hereafter, “Carroccia”, had “pulled a knife o…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Stabbing Reported Near Bike Trail In Brick: Police Stabbing Reported Near Bike Trail In Brick: Police
Stabbing Reported Near Bike Trail In Brick: Police Someone was stabbed near a bike trail in Brick Township, authorities said. The stabbing occurred at the Cherry Quay bike trail entrance, police said in a statement on Thursday.  The statement did not say when the crime occurred. “This is believed to be an isolated incident and there is no reason to believe that there is any danger to the public,” Brick Township police said in the statement. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is investigating, police said. “No further details are being released at this time,” police said.

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Lakewood Man Sentenced For Sexual Assault On Minor: Prosecutor Lakewood Man Sentenced For Sexual Assault On Minor: Prosecutor
Lakewood Man Sentenced For Sexual Assault On Minor: Prosecutor Norman Medina, 45, of Lakewood, was sentenced to 15 years in New Jersey State Prison for the aggravated sexual assault of a minor, authorities said. Medina previously pleaded guilty to the offense on July 14, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. The case involved the sexual assault of a minor child in the defendant’s Lakewood home on several occasions when the child was between the ages of five and twelve, the prosecutor said. The investigation, a collaborative effort, by the Lakewood Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Man Gets 35 Years State Prison In Motel Stabbing Death Jersey Shore Man Gets 35 Years State Prison In Motel Stabbing Death
Jersey Shore Man Gets 35 Years State Prison In Motel Stabbing Death A 51-year-old man from Seaside Heights has been sentenced to 35 years in New Jersey State Prison in connection with a murder in a motel, authorities said. Gerardo Ruiz was sentenced on Friday, Dec. 9 for aggravated manslaughter in the death of Alecia Perreault, 29, also of Seaside Heights, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. On May 1, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Seaside Heights Police received a telephone call from an individual claiming to have knowledge that Ruiz killed a woman at the Offshore Motel in Seaside Heights, Billhimer said. The caller…

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by Jon Craig
News
Teen Rape Defendant Also Stalked Ramapo College Student, Authorities Charge Teen Rape Defendant Also Stalked Ramapo College Student, Authorities Charge
Teen Rape Defendant Also Stalked Ramapo College Student, Authorities Charge UPDATE: A 19-year-old man already accused of repeatedly raping a minor at the Jersey Shore and in New York State also stalked a female Ramapo College student, authorities charged. Jon Pelcin, of Monroe, NY, followed the sophomore around the Mahwah campus "on multiple occasions," Township Detective Lt. Kevin Hebert wrote. Pelcin "showed up at sporting events where the victim [was] in attendance" and followed her in his vehicle, putting her "in fear of death or bodily injury," Hebert added. One time Pelcin followed the victim from the school gym to the student center and then to the library…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Teen Accused Of Jersey Shore, NY Child Rape Charged With Stalking Ramapo College Student Teen Accused Of Jersey Shore, NY Child Rape Charged With Stalking Ramapo College Student
Teen Accused Of Jersey Shore, NY Child Rape Charged With Stalking Ramapo College Student UPDATE (Dec. 9, 2022): A 19-year-old man already accused of repeatedly raping a minor at the Jersey Shore and in New York State also stalked a female Ramapo College student, authorities charged. Jon Pelcin, of Monroe, NY, followed the sophomore around the Mahwah campus "on multiple occasions," Township Detective Lt. Kevin Hebert wrote. Pelcin "showed up at sporting events where the victim [was] in attendance" and followed her in his vehicle, putting her "in fear of death or bodily injury," Hebert added. One time Pelcin followed the victim from the school gym to the student center and then…

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by Jerry DeMarco