Tag:

Forked River, NJ

Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Ocean Township Road Sentenced: Prosecutors Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Ocean Township Road Sentenced: Prosecutors
Man Who Strangled Wife, Dumped Body On Side Of Ocean Township Road Sentenced: Prosecutors A Forked River man will spend more than four decades in prison after he was convicted of strangling his wife to death and leaving her body on the side of a Monmouth County road, authorities said. Jeremy Cruz, 53, was sentenced to 50 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Sept. 13. A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday, Apr. 24. Investigators said a driver saw 51-year-old Dawn Cruz with severe injuries on Colonial Avenue near the intersection with Asbury Avenue in Ocean Township …
'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,…
Veteran Severely Injured In Costa Rica, South Jersey Mom Fighting To Get Him To U.S. Hospital Veteran Severely Injured In Costa Rica, South Jersey Mom Fighting To Get Him To U.S. Hospital
Veteran Severely Injured In Costa Rica, South Jersey Mom Fighting To Get Him To U.S. Hospital A Forked River woman is fighting for her veteran son to return to the U.S. after he was severely injured in Costa Rica, according to a fundraising campaign. On a GoFundMe page, Debra Vargas said that her son Codey Vargas suffered several injuries in an accident, including severe head trauma, a collapsed lung, several fractured ribs, paralyzed intestines, pneumonia, facial fractures, and several scrapes. Codey's accident happened on Wednesday, Mar. 20, but Debra wasn't aware of it until the U.S. embassy in Costa Rica told her on Tuesday, Apr. 2. The GoFundMe page for Codey raised more than $…
Jersey Shore Woman Accused Of Stealing $100K From Construction Company: Police Jersey Shore Woman Accused Of Stealing $100K From Construction Company: Police
Jersey Shore Woman Accused Of Stealing $100K From Construction Company: Police An Ocean County woman was accused of stealing more than $100,000 from a construction company, authorities said. Dawn Sanzari, 50, of Forked River, was arrested on Monday, Mar. 25, the Stafford Township Police Department said in a news release. She was charged with second-degree theft by deception and fraudulent use of a credit card. Stafford police received a report of a theft from a construction company on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Macko Construction reported that more than $100,000 was stolen from its business account. Sanzari was released pending a future court appearance.
Three Arrested After Heroin, Meth, Guns Found In Vehicle Blocking Atlantic City Traffic: Police Three Arrested After Heroin, Meth, Guns Found In Vehicle Blocking Atlantic City Traffic: Police
Three Arrested After Heroin, Meth, Guns Found In Vehicle Blocking Atlantic City Traffic: Police Three people were accused of having drugs and guns in a vehicle that was blocking traffic in Atlantic City, authorities said. Vincente Scalzo, 36, of New Port Richey, Florida, Aubrey Costello, 25, of Forked River, and Lamar Dew, 36, of Atlantic City, were arrested on Saturday, Mar. 23. The Atlantic City Police Department announced their arrests in a news release on Monday, Mar. 25. An officer saw a vehicle illegally parked and blocking a lane of traffic near the intersection of California and Fairmount avenues at around 9:35 a.m. Scalzo was the driver and the officer noticed drug parapherna…
'Devastating Turn' For South Jersey Girl, 7, After Flu Complications: Campaign 'Devastating Turn' For South Jersey Girl, 7, After Flu Complications: Campaign
'Devastating Turn' For South Jersey Girl, 7, After Flu Complications: Campaign A Lacey Township girl was fighting for her life after complications from the flu, according to a fundraising campaign. A GoFundMe page for seven-year-old Alena Robles said the Forked River girl was in a coma at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Her family wrote that she began feeling sick on Sunday, Mar. 10, and woke up with a headache the next day before having several seizures. Robles was rushed to the hospital's intensive care unit and doctors said her flu infection has caused severe encephalitis. "The medical team is working tirelessly to combat the sw…
'Fly High Chels': South Jersey Cheerleader Dies Unexpectedly, 14: Campaign 'Fly High Chels': South Jersey Cheerleader Dies Unexpectedly, 14: Campaign
'Fly High Chels': South Jersey Cheerleader Dies Unexpectedly, 14: Campaign A Lacey Township teen known for her love of cheerleading has died, according to a donation campaign. A GoFundMe page said Chelsea Diehl of Forked River unexpectedly died on Sunday, Mar. 3. A cause of death was not mentioned for the 14-year-old girl. Diehl's GoFundMe page had raised more than $24,000 from at least 496 donations as of Tuesday, Mar. 3. Becky Hutler-Melanson, who organized the memorial fundraiser, said Diehl's death was devastating. "She was a wonderful daughter, friend, and athlete who touched the lives of all those around her," Hutler-Melanson wrote. "Her smile lit up the r…
NJ Landscaper Andrew Urlton Dies, 41 NJ Landscaper Andrew Urlton Dies, 41
NJ Landscaper Andrew Urlton Dies, 41 New Jersey landscaper Andrew Urlton died at home in Forked River on Monday, Jan. 22, according to his obituary on the Ocean County Cremation Service website. He was 41 years old. Born and raised in Edison, Andrew graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1999 and went on to work in landscaping, his obituary says. He had been working on earning a certificate in addiction counseling, and hoped to help those battling addiction, Andrew's obituary reads. An avid New York Giants fan with a "smile that could light up a room," Andrew's memorial service will be held at St. Pius X Catholic church in …
Twins Born In Different Years Among NJ's First Babies Of 2024 Twins Born In Different Years Among NJ's First Babies Of 2024
Twins Born In Different Years Among NJ's First Babies Of 2024 Twin brothers were among some of the last babies born in 2023 and the first of 2024 in New Jersey. Ezra was born at 11:48 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, while his little brother Ezekial was born at 12:28 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at Virtua Voorhees Hospital in Camden. Ezra weighed 6 pounds and measured 18¾ inches long, while Ezekial weighed 4 pounds and measured 17¼ inches long. To make their birthdays even more special, Ezra shares his birthday with his dad, Billy, who is a New Year’s Eve baby, too. Parents Eve and Billy are thrilled that their boys are healthy and will ha…
Sudden Death Of NJ High Schooler Prompts Outpouring Of Support Sudden Death Of NJ High Schooler Prompts Outpouring Of Support
Jay Cugliari Obituary The community is mourning the loss of a 17-year-old boy whose "life was just beginning" when he was killed in a car accident. Jayson Lee Cugliari of Forked River had just been accepted to the college of his choice, Stockton University. He was working and getting ready for Christmas, according to a GoFundMe page. The senior at Lacey Township High School was killed in a car accident on Dec. 9.  Jayson worked at the Goddard School in Forked River where he was adored by students and staff. "He loved being around children," his obituary said. "Working with children was his passion." He wa…
'Sunny Soul:' Jersey Shore Mom Nadine Vetter Dies, 42 'Sunny Soul:' Jersey Shore Mom Nadine Vetter Dies, 42
'Sunny Soul:' Jersey Shore Mom Nadine Vetter Dies, 42 Tributes are flooding social media for Nadine Vetter, a Jersey Shore mom who died Tuesday, Nov. 14 aged 42. Born in Staten Island, Nadine spent most of her life in Bayville, finally moving to Forked River, her obituary says. She worked for Weichert Realty in Oakhurst as a Mortgage Analyst for 15 years. Nadine loved to spend time with her many friends and family members. Above all, she embraced her role as a devoted mother. Nadine is survived by her loving husband, Stephen Vetter; her cherished daughter, Alyssa, three stepchildren, Tyler, Madison and McKenzie; her mother, Robyn Bianco; her…
Three-Alarm Fire Rips Through Toms River Condo Three-Alarm Fire Rips Through Toms River Condo
Three-Alarm Fire Rips Through Toms River Condo Firefighters were working Saturday, July 15 to control a massive fire sweeping through a Toms River condominium development. Photos of the scene captured by Ocean County Scanner News show flames on the third-floor porch of a home on Iverness Drive, located in the Fairways Complex on County Route 571. The photo appeared to have spread through much of the building as of 2:30 p.m. TOMS RIVER: Firefighters from TR & surrounding departments remain on scene battling a 3rd alarm working structure fire @... Posted by Ocean County Scanner News on Saturday, July 15, 2023 TOMS RIVER: Fir…
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…
EMS Volunteer Killed In Motorcycle Crash On Route 9 Jersey Shore EMS Volunteer Killed In Motorcycle Crash On Route 9 Jersey Shore
EMS Volunteer Killed In Motorcycle Crash On Route 9 Jersey Shore A volunteer member of the Bayville First Aid Squad was killed when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle turning from Route 9 into a shopping center parking lot in Forked River, authorities said. Michael McCabe, 49, was riding north on Route 9 and the southbound vehicle driven by 55-year-old Anne Danza of Forked River was turning left into Sunset Plaza at 5:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, Lacey police said. McCabe, a life member of the Bayville First Aid Squad, died of the injuries he suffered in the crash, police said. Lacey Township EMS and RWJ Paramedics responded to the scene.  “Mike w…
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…
Jersey Shore Man Charged With Killing Wife, Leaving Body On Roadside: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Man Charged With Killing Wife, Leaving Body On Roadside: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Man Charged With Killing Wife, Leaving Body On Roadside: Prosecutor An Ocean County man has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife and leaving her body on the side of a road in Ocean Township, 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 Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, 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 Township of Ocean, Santiago …
Three Pedestrians Killed By Car In South Jersey Three Pedestrians Killed By Car In South Jersey
Three Pedestrians Killed By Car In South Jersey Three pedestrians were struck and killed by a car in Burlington County Saturday, Sept. 24, authorities said. A Nissan Maxima heading north on Chatworth Barnegat Road (CR-532) struck the rear of a Ford Mustang, also heading north around 11:25 p.m. in Woodland Township, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Philip Curry said. The Nissan then hit three pedestrians identified as Dion Cardell, 50, of Browns Mills, Michael Stull, 46, of Hamilton, and Brian Blaszka, 36, of Forked River. All were killed. The driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries and the driver of the Nissan did not report any in…
Pedestrian Critical, Struck By Unlicensed Driver In Toms River: Police Pedestrian Critical, Struck By Unlicensed Driver In Toms River: Police
Pedestrian Critical, Struck By Unlicensed Driver In Toms River: Police A 33-year-old pedestrian from Forked River was listed in critical condition after being struck by an unlicensed driver in Toms River, authorities said. On Monday, Sept. 12 at approximately 2:20 p.m., police were dispatched to Hooper Avenue, just north of Washington Street, for a reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Roseann Macchiarelli, 52, of Seaside Heights was traveling north on Hooper Avenue when she struck pedestrian Jessica Descafano who entered traffic attempting to cross Hooper Avenue mid-block, police said. Descafano was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical University in Neptune …
Jersey Shore Man 'Set Fire' To Car He Allegedly Broke Into: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Man 'Set Fire' To Car He Allegedly Broke Into: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Man 'Set Fire' To Car He Allegedly Broke Into: Prosecutor A 43-year-old man from Ocean County has been charged with multiple offenses including burglary, theft and shoplifting, authorities said. Brian Salters. 43, of Forked River, was charged on Monday, Aug. 22 in connection with a series of incidents that occurred in Lacey Township on Aug. 1, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lacey Township Chief of Police Michael DiBella. An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau revealed that Salters entered…
Professional Ring Finder Strikes Silver, Gold All Over NJ Professional Ring Finder Strikes Silver, Gold All Over NJ
Professional Ring Finder Strikes Silver, Gold All Over NJ He doesn't do it for fame or fortune, but Ed Trapper's hobby as a treasure hunter attracts a lot of attention. Last weekend, he was able to find a wedding ring on the beach in Lavallette. And a man's gold cross in a lagoon.  Asked whether he's had one special find, the 63-year-old Forked River resident said, "They're all rewarding." Trapper said it's all about doing a lot of detective work, and it's important if the person seeking their lost item knows approximately where they lost it. "You ask them over and over again," Trapper said, to narrow down the location. In the case of the weddi…
WINNERS: Jersey Cash 5 Players Split $865K WINNERS: Jersey Cash 5 Players Split $865K
Winners: Jersey Cash 5 Players Split $865K Two lucky Jersey Cash 5 players will split $864,760, state Lottery officials said. The winning tickets were sold at a Wawa store and Walsh Farms in Middlesex and Ocean counties from the Wednesday, June 1 drawing. Each ticket is worth $432,380.  The winning numbers were: 08, 16, 25, 27, and 39 and the XTRA number was: 02.  The retailers will receive a bonus check for $2,000 for each winning ticket sold.  Those tickets were sold at the following locations: Middlesex County: Welsh Farms, 1 Schuyler Drive, Edison; and, Ocean County: WAWA #988, 800 Lacey Road, Forked River.
NJ Mom Faces Long Road To Recovery After Brain Tumor Removal NJ Mom Faces Long Road To Recovery After Brain Tumor Removal
NJ Mom Faces Long Road To Recovery After Brain Tumor Removal Stephanie Cole was getting ready to start as a student in an ultrasound program in 2018 when she began suffering from headaches and dizziness. Doctors found a small, non-cancerous tumor, Acoustic Neuroma, and gave her two options: Watch and wait, or go under the knife. Cole, now 36, of Forked River, decided to watch and wait. The mom of three powered through her symptoms up until graduation. But by the time Cole landed her dream job in April 2021, her tumor had tripled in size. Cole under went surgery to have it removed last month and is readjusting to a new normal. While a GoFundMe pag…
Ocean County Man Arrested On Meth, Marijuana Charges Ocean County Man Arrested On Meth, Marijuana Charges
Ocean County Man Arrested On Meth, Marijuana Charges A 41-year-old man from Ocean County has been arrested on several drug-related charges, authorities said. Jason Close of Lacey Township has been charged following a multi-agency investigation that identified a residence in the Forked River section of the township as being used to store and distribute methamphetamine, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.  During a surveillance operation on Thursday in Toms River, members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Toms River Township Police Department were able to detain an…
$1,000 REWARD: Who Dumped Crated Dog In NJ Woods Near Gun Club? $1,000 REWARD: Who Dumped Crated Dog In NJ Woods Near Gun Club?
$1,000 Reward: Who Dumped Crated Dog In NJ Woods Near Gun Club? A $1,000 reward is being offered for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for dumping a crated dog in a wooded New Jersey area. The Associated Humane Societies/Popcorn Park ACO Maria Cymanski responded to a  call for an abandoned dog near 1450 West Bay Ave., in Barnegat on Monday, Dec. 28. There, she found a young, female Siberian Husky mix left in a crate in a wooded area near a gun club, initially spotted by a man leaving the gun club who went over to investigate. The dog -- who had a pink collar and was …
GOOD GRIEF: Only One Charlie Brown Steakhouse Remains In NJ GOOD GRIEF: Only One Charlie Brown Steakhouse Remains In NJ
Good Grief: Only One Charlie Brown Steakhouse Remains In NJ 2020 has been a miserable year for Charlie Brown restaurants in New Jersey. Spurred by the coronavirus pandemic, 13 Charlie Brown Fresh Grills have closed statewide this year. Only one restaurant remains, in Union County. Charlie Brown’s, a casual steakhouse chain that at one time enjoyed dozens of eateries across New Jersey and the East Coast, is now down to just one spot in Scotch Plains. At the start of 2020, there were 14 Charlie Brown’s restaurants in the Garden State. After Charlie Brown closed its Lakewood spot, the last one left is at 2376 North Ave. in Scotch Plains.  A company…
TONIGHT: Popular Jersey Shore Bar Reopening After Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19 TONIGHT: Popular Jersey Shore Bar Reopening After Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19
Tonight: Popular Jersey Shore Bar Reopening After Employee Tests Positive For Covid-19 A popular Jersey Shore bar that temporarily closed for cleaning after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 will be reopening Tuesday evening. Captain's Inn in Forked River will closed Sunday but will be open as of 11:30 p.m. The employee was asymptomatic as of Sunday, the bar said in a Facebook post. Captain's Inn, 304 E. Lacey Road, Forked River
Jersey Shore Restaurant Owner Admits Ducking $185,000 In Federal Taxes Jersey Shore Restaurant Owner Admits Ducking $185,000 In Federal Taxes
Jersey Shore Restaurant Owner Admits Ducking $185,000 In Federal Taxes The owner of a Jersey Shore Italian restaurant admitted stiffing the IRS out of $185,000 in personal and corporate taxes. Raimondo Schiano, 55, admitted diverting unreported income from Biagio’s Trattoria in Lacey Township to his personal account for four straight years, beginning in 2014, during a video conference with a federal judge in Trenton on Wednesday, Special IRS Agent Robert Glantz said. None of the diverted funds was reported as income on either the corporate tax returns for the Lanoka Harbor restaurant or on Schiano’s personal tax returns, Glantz said. As a result, Schiano, of…
Lightning Strike Fire Engulfs Jersey Shore Home Lightning Strike Fire Engulfs Jersey Shore Home
Lightning Strike Fire Engulfs Jersey Shore Home UPDATE: A lightning strike Wednesday ignited a fire that destroyed a Jersey Shore home and killed several pets. Two cats, a bird and several reptiles died in the Beckerville Road fire, which broke out in the 1½-story ranch house shortly before 3 p.m., Manchester Township police said. Responders included firefighters from Whiting, Manchester, Ridgeway, Forked River, Lakehurst, Cassville and Whitesville, as well as Manchester Township EMS and police. No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross found temporary lodging and provided supplies to the family.
Motorcyclist Killed, 2 Others Hurt In South Jersey Crashes Motorcyclist Killed, 2 Others Hurt In South Jersey Crashes
Motorcyclist Killed, 2 Others Hurt In South Jersey Crashes One motorcyclist was killed and two others were injured in separate crashes early Sunday morning in Burlington County, authorities said. Alexander Halsey, 45, of Forked River was heading north on Route 206 with a group of motorcyclists near the Comfort Inn Hotel in Bordentown when he lost control of his 2019 Harley Davidson motorcycle just before 12:30 p.m., Bordentown police said. Halsey sustained severe life threatening injuries as a result of his crash, police said, and was taken by ambulance to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton Township where he was pronounced dead nea…
Stafford PD: 2 Drivers Seriously Hurt In Head-On Crash Closing Route 72 Stafford PD: 2 Drivers Seriously Hurt In Head-On Crash Closing Route 72
Stafford PD: 2 Drivers Seriously Hurt In Head-On Crash Closing Route 72 Two drivers were airlifted from the scene of a multiple-car collision that closed Route 72 in Stafford on Thursday, authorities said. The rush-hour crash involved a Jeep Cherokee driven by Joseph Sanzari, 67 of Barnegat traveling east on Route 72, Stafford police said in a statement on Facebook. As Sanzari approached Breakers Drive at 4:36 p.m., he tried to turn left into the Circle K, police said. His Jeep was struck by a Hyundai Elantra traveling west on Route 72, they said. The Hyundai was driven by Devan Thatcher, 29, of Forked River, they said. The Hyundai careened into the eastbound …