Tag:

John P. McDonald

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…
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…
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…
Former Employees Forged Over $65K In Checks From Somerset County Contracting Firm: Prosecutor Former Employees Forged Over $65K In Checks From Somerset County Contracting Firm: Prosecutor
Former Employees Forged Over $65K In Checks From Somerset County Contracting Firm: Prosecutor Two former workers at a contracting firm in Somerset County were arrested for allegedly forging checks from their employer and making more than $65,000 in unauthorized purchases. Carlos R. Escobar, 38, of Jefferson Avenue in North Plainfield, and Ciro A. Saenz-Puentes, 44, of Remson Avenue in New Brunswick, were each charged with theft by deception, forgery, and uttering a false document, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a release on Monday, Sept. 25. Escobar and Saenz-Puentes became the center of an investigation when the owner of the contracting company they were former…
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…
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…
Hunterdon County Men Stole Over $80K From Senior Living Resident: Authorities Hunterdon County Men Stole Over $80K From Senior Living Resident: Authorities
Hunterdon County Men Stole Over $80K From Senior Living Resident: Authorities Two Lambertville men were charged after allegedly scamming more than $80,000 from a senior living resident in Bridgewater, authorities said Thursday, June 22. Sanders J. Mishkin and Ronald Cusano, both 65, were charged with theft by deception, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Mishkin was also charged with attempted theft by deception. Investigators say Mishkin took more than $80,000 from the senior living resident’s account without permission and for personal gain, at least $10,000 of the funds tied to Cusano’s transactions. Both were charged and released pending court app…
2 Injured, 1 Critically, In Somerset County Fire: Prosecutor 2 Injured, 1 Critically, In Somerset County Fire: Prosecutor
2 Injured, 1 Critically, In Somerset County Fire: Prosecutor Authorities are investigating the cause of a Somerset County fire that hurt two residents, one critically. The blaze broke out at a home on Mountain Avenue in North Plainfield around 3:10 a.m. Sunday, June 4, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said alongside local Police Chief William Parenti. Two men were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, where one of them remained in critical condition, McDonald said. The cause of the fire was being investigated but did not seem suspicious, the prosecutor added. Assisting agencies include fire crews in Bridgewater/Finderne, Bound Brook,…
Taxi Driver Shot Dead In Somerset County: Prosecutor Taxi Driver Shot Dead In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Taxi Driver Shot Dead In Somerset County: Prosecutor A 57-year-old taxi driver was shot dead in Somerset County late on Thursday, May 11, authorities announced. Officers responding to the shooting report near Rose Street and Sydney Place in Franklin Township found Kofi Addo, of North Brunswick, with a gunshot wound behind the wheel of a taxi crashed into a parked vehicle just after 9:55 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a release. Addo was rushed to a local trauma center and pronounced dead a short time after. According to investigators, Addo had just picked up a fare near Rose Street when he was confronted and shot b…
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…
Investigation Launched Into Somerset County Blaze That Hospitalized 2 Firemen, Engulfed 4 Acres Investigation Launched Into Somerset County Blaze That Hospitalized 2 Firemen, Engulfed 4 Acres
Investigation Launched Into Somerset County Blaze That Hospitalized 2 Firemen, Engulfed 4 Acres A Somerset County blaze that engulfed four acres of woodlands, elicited a massive response from surrounding agencies, and hospitalized two firemen for injuries last week has prompted an investigation, authorities said. The Bridgewater Township Police Department responded to the Thursday, April, 13 call near 1482 Long Rd. just before 4 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said the following Wednesday. The blaze quickly spread and ultimately damaged “over four acres of woodland property” on Long Road, according to investigators. Meanwhile, two firemen were hospitalized as a res…
Pedestrian Struck By Jeep In Somerset County Pedestrian Struck By Jeep In Somerset County
Pedestrian Struck By Jeep In Somerset County A pedestrian was found unconscious in the roadway after being hit by a Jeep in Somerset County on Wednesday, April 12, authorities said. First responders found the victim in the roadway “unconscious but breathing” on Somerset Street near Juliet Avenue in Franklin Township shortly before 8:05 p.m., according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald. The pedestrian was taken to a nearby hospital by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital BLS and paramedics. A follow-up investigation found that the crash occurred when a Jeep Cherokee heading southbound on Somerset Street hit the victim,…
Teen Caught With Handgun After Stolen Car Chase, Rt. 78 Crash; 2 Escape: Somerset Prosecutor Teen Caught With Handgun After Stolen Car Chase, Rt. 78 Crash; 2 Escape: Somerset Prosecutor
Teen Caught With Handgun After Stolen Car Chase, Rt. 78 Crash; 2 Escape: Somerset Prosecutor A 15-year-old Newark boy was caught with a handgun after a high-speed chase and crash in a stolen vehicle on Route 78 in Somerset County, while his two cohorts are still at large, authorities allege. The chase was initiated around 12:55 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, when Warren Township Police attempted to stop a vehicle reported stolen in their jurisdiction, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The driver sped off toward Route 78 and eventually crashed once officers used tire deflation devices, prompting its trio of occupants to flee on foot. The teen was caught and taken into cu…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
Man Shot At NJ House Party Man Shot At NJ House Party
Man Shot At NJ 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…