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Police & Fire
Award-Winning Former Rec Director Admits To Stealing $9K+ From Brick Township: Prosecutors Award-Winning Former Rec Director Admits To Stealing $9K+ From Brick Township: Prosecutors
Award-Winning Former Rec Director Admits To Stealing $9K+ From Brick Township: Prosecutors A former Brick Township official, once celebrated as a top professional in his field, has admitted to stealing nearly $10,000 in township recreation fees, authorities said. Daniel Santaniello, 46, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 10 to theft, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release.  Santaniello was previously the recreation director for Brick Township. The New Jersey Recreation & Park Association gave him the "Professional of the Year Award" in 2016. Investigators said Santaniello abused his position to charge private organizations cash to u…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Lakewood Duo Captured 14 Years After Toms River Killing To Remain In Jail, Prosecutors Say Lakewood Duo Captured 14 Years After Toms River Killing To Remain In Jail, Prosecutors Say
Lakewood Duo Captured 14 Years After Toms River Killing To Remain In Jail, Prosecutors Say Two Lakewood men charged in the 2010 shooting death of a man in Toms River will stay in jail, authorities said. Judges ordered 36-year-old Maurice Cole and 41-year-old Jerron Evans to remain detained pending their trials, Ocean County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael Nolan Jr. said in a news release on Tuesday, Dec. 10.  The duo was accused of taking part in the killing of 22-year-old Rondell Proctor, who was originally from Arkansas. Toms River police responded to the shooting at the Winteringham Village Apartments on Route 166 at around 12:45 p.m. on Thursd…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Seaside Heights Woman Confesses To Killing Toms River Man In Dismemberment Case: Prosecutors Seaside Heights Woman Confesses To Killing Toms River Man In Dismemberment Case: Prosecutors
Seaside Heights Woman Confesses To Killing Toms River Man In Dismemberment Case: Prosecutors A Seaside Heights woman has admitted to killing a Toms River man whose body was dismembered, authorities said. Elizabeth Mascarelli, 29, pleaded guilty on Monday, Dec. 9 to aggravated manslaughter, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. She was previously indicted on Thursday, Oct. 24 for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, hindering apprehension, desecration of human remains, and eight weapons charges. Mascarelli was among the four people charged in the killing of 56-year-old Kerry Rollason. Danielle Bolstad, 42, of Barnegat; Jared …

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Barnegat Man Stole $50K+ In Lotto Tickets From Wawa Locations, Prosecutors Say Barnegat Man Stole $50K+ In Lotto Tickets From Wawa Locations, Prosecutors Say
Barnegat Man Stole $50K+ In Lotto Tickets From Wawa Locations, Prosecutors Say A Barnegat man was accused of stealing more than $50,000 in lottery tickets from vending machines at several Wawa stores over two years, authorities said. Kenneth Franke, 57, was charged with theft by unlawful taking following a two-year investigation, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Friday, Dec. 6. Investigators said Franke had been illegally obtaining lottery tickets without paying for them. The incidents reportedly occurred between January 2022 and December 2024 at Wawa locations in Lacey Township and Barnegat. Detectives established surveillance…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Berkeley Twp. Drug Dealer Captured After Attempted Scooter Escape, Prosecutors Say Berkeley Twp. Drug Dealer Captured After Attempted Scooter Escape, Prosecutors Say
Berkeley Twp. Drug Dealer Captured After Attempted Scooter Escape, Prosecutors Say A Berkeley Township man was arrested after trying to flee on a motor scooter during a month-long drug investigation, authorities said. William Manser, 44, was taken into custody, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Friday, Nov. 22. Berkeley police and detectives with the county prosecutor's office identified Manser as someone using a home in the township to store and sell drugs. Officers set up surveillance around the residence on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Detectives saw Manser leaving the home and approached him but he tried to escape on the scooter.&nbs…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Berkeley Twp. Man Confesses To Illegally Having Loaded Gun In Manchester, Prosecutors Say Berkeley Twp. Man Confesses To Illegally Having Loaded Gun In Manchester, Prosecutors Say
Berkeley Twp. Man Confesses To Illegally Having Loaded Gun In Manchester, Prosecutors Say A Berkeley Township man admitted to illegally having a gun during a traffic stop in Manchester Township, authorities said. Charles Coley, 39, pleaded guilty to certain person not to possess a firearm, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Wednesday, Nov. 20. He entered his guilty plea on Monday, Nov. 18. Manchester police said they pulled over Coley after he didn't stop for a traffic light on Route 70 near County Route 571 on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Officers saw the barrel of a loaded 9mm gun on the backseat floor of the Honda. Col…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Lacey Township Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say Lacey Township Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say
Lacey Township Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say A Lacey Township woman admitted to using a child living in her home to sell psychedelic mushrooms, authorities said. Margaret Whalen, 60, entered a guilty plea on Monday, Nov. 18, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. She pleaded guilty to possession of psilocin mushrooms with intent to distribute, employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges came from an investigation when Lacey Township police received a tip from the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Investigators said Wh…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Lakewood Cocaine Dealer Gets 10 Years In State Prison, Prosecutors Say Lakewood Cocaine Dealer Gets 10 Years In State Prison, Prosecutors Say
Lakewood Cocaine Dealer Gets 10 Years In State Prison, Prosecutors Say A Lakewood man will spend up to a decade in prison for selling cocaine, authorities said. Timothy Myers, 52, was sentenced on Friday, Nov. 1 to 10 years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Lakewood police were conducting drug-related surveillance on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, when they noticed a Ford Expedition make an abrupt U-turn on John Street and park in a parking lot. Detectives saw a woman exit the SUV and enter a nearby Mercedes-Benz. When the woman got back into the Ford, police approached the SUV and Myers was the dri…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Bicyclist, 35, Critically Injured In Lakewood Hit-And-Run: Prosecutors Bicyclist, 35, Critically Injured In Lakewood Hit-And-Run: Prosecutors
Bicyclist, 35, Critically Injured In Lakewood Hit-And-Run: Prosecutors A woman was critically injured in a hit-and-run crash in Lakewood, authorities said. The 35-year-old bicyclist was struck by a vehicle, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Lakewood police responded to the crash at the intersection of Maplehurst Avenue and Cross Street at around 7:15 p.m. Officers found the victim in the road suffering from serious bodily injuries.  Paramedics rushed the woman to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. She was in critical condition at the Neptune hospital as of press time. The…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Wall Township Man Admits To Selling Borrowed Vehicle To Someone In Georgia, Prosecutors Say Wall Township Man Admits To Selling Borrowed Vehicle To Someone In Georgia, Prosecutors Say
Wall Township Man Admits To Selling Borrowed Vehicle To Someone In Georgia, Prosecutors Say A Wall Township man admitted to stealing a vehicle he borrowed and selling it in Georgia, authorities said. Jaquel Accoo, 29, pleaded guilty on Monday, Oct. 28 to motor vehicle theft and witness tampering, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. A man reported to Toms River police on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, that his vehicle had been stolen. Investigators said Accoo borrowed the vehicle from the owner but instead of returning it, he sold it to someone in Georgia. Accoo was charged on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2023, a warrant was issued for his arrest, and his na…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Barnegat Ex-Con Who Sold Cocaine Sentenced, Prosecutors Say Barnegat Ex-Con Who Sold Cocaine Sentenced, Prosecutors Say
Barnegat Ex-Con Who Sold Cocaine Sentenced, Prosecutors Say A Barnegat man will spend up to a decade in prison for selling cocaine and having a gun, authorities said. Clifford Holland, 48, was sentenced on Friday, Oct. 25 to 10 years in prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He entered a guilty plea for two charges on Monday, Sept. 9. Police executed a search warrant at a home on Gunning River Road in Barnegat on Friday, Feb. 23. Detectives seized an undisclosed amount of cocaine and a .22-caliber revolver. Holland was taken into custody at the scene. He's been held in the Ocean County Jai…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Woman Killed Toms River Man, Three Others Dismembered Him, Gruesome Indictment Says Woman Killed Toms River Man, Three Others Dismembered Him, Gruesome Indictment Says
Woman Killed Toms River Man, Three Others Dismembered Him, Gruesome Indictment Says Four people from Ocean County were indicted for dismembering the body of a Toms River man killed in his home, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 29-year-old Elizabeth Mascarelli of Seaside Heights on Thursday, Oct. 24 for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, hindering apprehension, desecration of human remains, and eight weapons charges, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Danielle Bolstad, 42, of Barnegat; Jared Krysiak, 34, of Brick Township; and Jarred Palumbo, 36, of Manchester, were also indicted for hindering apprehension and…

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by Chris Spiker