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Somerset County Prosecutor

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 …
NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police
NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police A former New Jersey teacher from Pennsylvania has been accused of sexually assaulting a former student, police said. Lydia Pinto, 38, of Newton, PA, is believed to have engaged in a relationship with the student — now an adult — when they were 14 and 15 years old, in Raritan Borough, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The alleged victim was interviewed by detectives on Oct. 26, and said the relationship turned sexual and continued through their senior year of high school, McDonald said alongside other county and local officials. Pinto was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 8 i…
Man Covers Victim's Mouth, Eyes On NJ Walking Path, Robs Her Of Cellphone: Prosecutor Man Covers Victim's Mouth, Eyes On NJ Walking Path, Robs Her Of Cellphone: Prosecutor
Man Covers Victim's Mouth, Eyes On NJ Walking Path, Robs Her Of Cellphone: Prosecutor A 45-year-old Jersey Shore man was arrested after a terrifying assault and robbery of a woman on a local walking path, authorities said. Elias Rodriguez, of Brick, is believed to have approach the woman on the path behind the Blessed Sacrament Church on Washington Valley Road around 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, July 9, in Bridgewater Township, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The victim said she was walking the path behind the church when a man, later identified as Rodriguez, came up behind her and put his hands over her eyes and mouth. The victim began to struggle with R…
Prosecutor Details Sneaky Upskirt Tactics Utilized By NJ Sunoco Station Cashier For Months Prosecutor Details Sneaky Upskirt Tactics Utilized By NJ Sunoco Station Cashier For Months
Prosecutor Details Sneaky Upskirt Tactics Utilized By NJ Sunoco Station Cashier For Months A cashier at a Sunoco station has been arrested for taking multiple upskirt photos of women while at work over the course of nearly two years, authorities in Somerset County said. Miguel A. Melchor-Gomez, 54, of North Plainfield, who worked at the Sunoco station on Stirling Road in Watchung, filmed underneath his unsuspecting victims' clothing in one of two ways from December 2021 to Aug. 19, 2023, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald. said. Melchor-Gomez either pretended that the credit card machine malfunctioned and directed his victims to the counter where he would stand clos…
Firearms, Ammo Seized From 18-Year-Old Man Charged With Attempted Murder In NJ Shooting Spree Firearms, Ammo Seized From 18-Year-Old Man Charged With Attempted Murder In NJ Shooting Spree
Firearms, Ammo Seized From 18-Year-Old Man Charged With Attempted Murder In NJ Shooting Spree Numerous firearms and ammunition were seized from the home of an 18-year-old man who police say fired shots into three Somerset County homes in early-September. Ryan Vandermeer, 18, of Hillsborough, is being held in the Somerset County Jail on charges of attempted murder and various weapons offenses in connection with the incidents on Sept. 3 and Sept. 5, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Vandermeer is believed to have fired shots into the rear sliding glass door of a Robin Road home on Sunday, Sept. 3, between 10:15 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., McDonald said alongside local po…
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…
NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girls At House Party, Prosecutor Says NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girls At House Party, Prosecutor Says
NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girls At House Party, Prosecutor Says A 45-year-old Central Jersey man has been accused of sexually assaulting 7- and 8-year-old girls at a house party earlier this month, authorities in Somerset County said. Both victims told authorities that Marcelo D. Schonhauser, of Bedminster, assaulted them at a house party in Bedminster on Saturday, March 4, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The alleged victims were interviewed by detectives with the Somerset County Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit. Schonhauser was arrested Monday, March 6 at his home in Bedminster without incident and charged with two counts of 2nd degree Se…
NJ Bank Robber 'Crazy Mike' Hid From Cops With Family's Help: Prosecutor NJ Bank Robber 'Crazy Mike' Hid From Cops With Family's Help: Prosecutor
NJ Bank Robber 'Crazy Mike' Hid From Cops With Family's Help: Prosecutor An accused bank robber nicknamed "Crazy Mike" evaded police for nearly three months with the help of family members, according to officials.  Michael Gaboff, 36, of Millstone, was arrested in connection with the robbery of a Franklin Township bank on Aug. 22, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald in a release Monday, Dec. 12.  His parents, 66-year-old Alan Gaboff and 60-year-old Sharon Gaboff, and his brother, 23-year-old Jesse Gaboff, all of Millstone, were charged with hindering, McDonald noted. Investigators said Gaboff walked into the bank at about 2 p.m., dem…
Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor An odd-shaped bulge in a business patron's sock spotted by a police officer turned out to be a crack pipe, said authorities in Somerset County who also seized several vials of cocaine from him. A Branchburg officer was outside of a local business speaking to Diego Mena-Quesada, when he noticed the protrusion in his sock around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The officer identified the bulge as being consistent with the shape of a crack pipe, at which point 28-year-old Mena-Quesada, of Whitehouse Station, removed a crack pipe from his soc…
Driver Was Going Double Speed Limit In Fatal Head-On Crash: Somerset Prosecutor Driver Was Going Double Speed Limit In Fatal Head-On Crash: Somerset Prosecutor
Driver Was Going Double Speed Limit In Fatal Head-On Crash: Somerset Prosecutor A 20-year-old driver from Old Bridge driver was speeding and trying to pass a vehicle in a no-passing zone when he drove into oncoming traffic, causing an accident that left one person dead and another seriously hurt, authorities in Somerset County said. Jaden Brandon Ramos was going nearly double the 35 mph limit in a 2007 Dodge Charger when he tried passing an eastbound car and veered into westbound traffic on Amwell Road in Hillsborough around 4:05 p.m. Friday, July 22, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Ramos collided head-on with a Mercedes Benz that came to rest he…
Somerset County Man Busted With Stolen, Loaded Handgun Leads Cops On Chase: Prosecutor Somerset County Man Busted With Stolen, Loaded Handgun Leads Cops On Chase: Prosecutor
Somerset County Man Busted With Stolen, Loaded Handgun Leads Cops On Chase: Prosecutor A Somerset County man who was busted with a stolen, loaded handgun during an argument later led police on a chase as they were attempting to take him into custody, authorities said. Officers responding to a verbal dispute at a home on Burnt Mills Road found a handgun in an open lunchbox belonging to Jorge L. Mercado, 24, of Branchburg around 6:40 a.m. on Thursday, July 21, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a release alongside local officials on Wednesday, July 27. The weapon had allegedly been stolen out of Williamsport, PA, and was loaded with a large-capacity magazine wi…
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…
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…
NJ Man, 23, Charged In Unprovoked Stabbing — Again NJ Man, 23, Charged In Unprovoked Stabbing — Again
NJ Man, 23, Charged In Unprovoked Stabbing — Again A 23-year-old New Jersey man who made headlines last year for his involvement in a stabbing was arrested and charged in a nearly identical crime, authorities announced. Safi N. Hill was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder, hindering, and weapons offenses, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said in a release alongside local officials on Friday, May 6. According to investigators, Hill approached a Hillsborough man walking his dog near 9th Street and Clawson Avenue before stabbing him several times in the back around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4. Hill was ide…
Central Jersey Man Sent Out Child Porn: Authorities Central Jersey Man Sent Out Child Porn: Authorities
Central Jersey Man Sent Out Child Porn: Authorities A 60-year-old Somerset County man was arrested on child porn charges, authorities said. Gary J. Babey, of Hillsborough, sent numerous images of child sexual abuse material to another individual, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. The investigation stemmed from a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Babey was arrested on Monday, May 2 and charged with multiple child porn offenses. He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail where he will remain pending a detention hearing in this matter Acting Prosecutor Taggart, Chief …
NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor
NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor A 68-year-old Somerset County man was arrested on accusations he sexually assaulted a girl for three years beginning when she was six years old, authorities said. Teodoro R. Velazquez, of Bernardsville, was arrested following an investigation beginning in June 2021,  Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The girl told detectives she was abused by Velazquez from 2013 to 2017 in Bernardsville, Chirichella said alongside local police. Velazquez was arrested Wednesday, March 23, on various degrees of aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment. He was lodged in …
Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police
Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police A 26-year-old Somerset County man who led two separate police pursuits in stolen cars — both of which he crashed — has been arrested on theft and drug charges, authorities announced. Nicholas G. Aiello first started trouble on Feb. 24, when police responding to reports of a stolen vehicle spotted it speeding eastbound on Route 28 around 9:20 p.m. in Branchburg, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The officer activated his vehicle’s emergency lights and siren, but discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons as the vehicle sped out of sight. A short time later, off…
NJ Woman Helping Homebound Victim With Groceries Wanted For Racking Up $22K Bill: Police NJ Woman Helping Homebound Victim With Groceries Wanted For Racking Up $22K Bill: Police
NJ Woman Helping Homebound Victim With Groceries Wanted For Racking Up $22K Bill: Police A New Jersey woman entrusted with the credit card of a medically incapacitated victim she had been grocery shopping for was arrested for racking up a $22,000 bill on the victim's card for her own personal gain, authorities said. Lisa Pryor, 55, of Monroe, was arrested at her job in Plainsboro on a warrant for theft and fraud-related offenses on Tuesday, March 22, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The victim, a Branchburg resident, in September 2021 told police that someone had used their card and other identifying information, resulting in the loss of thou…
Support Surges For Heartbroken Nanny Of Kids Believed Killed By NJ Mom Support Surges For Heartbroken Nanny Of Kids Believed Killed By NJ Mom
Support Surges For Heartbroken Nanny Of Kids Believed Killed By NJ Mom Support is surging for the heartbroken nanny of two kids apparently killed by their New Jersey mom last week. Over $3,300 had been raised on a GoFundMe campaign as of Nov. 15 for Flor Cabrera, who cared for Samantha, 7, and Paul Ross, 11 months. The siblings were found bound and restrained in the back of their mom Yuhwei Chou's car the morning of Nov. 9, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. The cause of death for both kids was asphyxia by airway obstruction and the manner of death was homicide, the prosecutor said. Chou, of Skillman, was charged with two counts of first-d…
NJ Man Convicted Of Trying To Kill Ex-GF, Another Man In Drive-By Shooting NJ Man Convicted Of Trying To Kill Ex-GF, Another Man In Drive-By Shooting
NJ Man Convicted Of Trying To Kill Ex-GF, Another Man In Drive-By Shooting A Somerset County jury returned guilty verdicts of attempted murder and other charges against a 39-year-old man for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend and another man in a 2018 drive-by shooting. Robert W. Smith, formerly of Bridgewater, on May 4, 2018 fired three shots into a 2011 Mazda CX7 carrying his ex (and the mother of his two children) and the other victim around 10 p.m. in the Finderne Section of Bridgewater, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Smith's Nissan Rogue struck a utility pole, and he suffered a fractured leg. The Mazda crashed off the east …
NJ Home Health Aid, 69, Sexually Assaulted Nonverbal Patient, Authorities Say NJ Home Health Aid, 69, Sexually Assaulted Nonverbal Patient, Authorities Say
NJ Home Health Aid, 69, Sexually Assaulted Nonverbal Patient, Authorities Say A 69-year-old home health aid sexually assaulted a nonverbal adult male patient, authorities said. Franklin Township police on Aug. 10 got a tip regarding possible sexual contact regarding Rose Stanley, of Somerset, and her patient, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Stanley was working as a home health care aide for a Franklin Township company at the time of the incident, Robertson said. Stanley was arrested and charged with third degree aggravated criminal sexual contact in connection with the incident following an investigation, authorities said. She was lo…
$2,500 Reward Offered In Bridgewater Sexual Assault $2,500 Reward Offered In Bridgewater Sexual Assault
$2,500 Reward Offered In Bridgewater Sexual Assault Authorities in Somerset County are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest in connection with a sexual assault at a Bridgewater park last week. A woman was riding her bike in Duke Island Park when a man came up behind her asking to use her cell phone around 8:45 p.m. on July 18, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Bridgewater Township Chief of Police Paul Payne. The woman told investigators the man held a knife to her throat and asked for her money. After handing over her money, the woman said…
NJ Martial Arts Studio Owner Placed Hidden Camera In Bathroom, Prosecutor Says NJ Martial Arts Studio Owner Placed Hidden Camera In Bathroom, Prosecutor Says
NJ Martial Arts Studio Owner Placed Hidden Camera In Bathroom, Prosecutor Says The 31-year-old owner of a martial arts studio was arrested on accusations he placed a camera inside of a bathroom and filmed members of the public and students who used it, authorities said Wednesday. Leonardo Sanchez of Somerville -- who owns Impact Martial Arts in Warren -- was arrested March 19 and charged with third-degree Invasion of privacy, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Police were called to the Mountain Boulevard studio around 11:30 p.m., when an employee found a hidden camera inside of the business, along with videos of individuals using the bathroom, Rober…
Assault Rifle, High Capacity Magazine Seized From PA, DE Men In NJ Road Rage Incident Assault Rifle, High Capacity Magazine Seized From PA, DE Men In NJ Road Rage Incident
Assault Rifle, High Capacity Magazine Seized From PA, DE Men In NJ Road Rage Incident Police found a 30-round high capacity magazine in the car carrying men from Pennsylvania and Delaware, who were accused of flashing an assault rifle at another driver in New Jersey over the weekend, authorities said. Branchburg police stopped vehicle carrying the three men on Route 202 near Milltown Road around 4 p.m., after someone called police reporting that a man brandished a weapon while heading northbound in Readington, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Robert Figueroa, 19 of Whitehall, Pennsylvania; Axel Rafael Colon Merly, 18 of Allentown, Pennsylvania; and …
UPDATE: Fundraiser For NJ Man Accused Of Trying To Meet Underage Teen For Sex Deleted UPDATE: Fundraiser For NJ Man Accused Of Trying To Meet Underage Teen For Sex Deleted
Update: Fundraiser For NJ Man Accused Of Trying To Meet Underage Teen For Sex Deleted GoFundMe has deleted a campaign launched by a Hudson County man who authorities said was arrested earlier this month when he tried to meet a 14-year-old child for sex. The page was created Friday by Adamovic, 48, of North Bergen. It hadn't received any donations when Daily Voice published a story about it on Saturday. Soon after, it was removed. Adamovic's social media accounts also disappeared. Adamovic was arrested on Feb. 5 after authorities said he showed up in Bound Brook for sex with what he thought was an underage partner but was actually an undercover detective. Adamovic, a B…
Fundraiser For NJ Man Accused Of Trying To Meet Underage Teen For Sex Deleted Fundraiser For NJ Man Accused Of Trying To Meet Underage Teen For Sex Deleted
Fundraiser For NJ Man Accused Of Trying To Meet Underage Teen For Sex Deleted GoFundMe has deleted a campaign launched by a Hudson County man who authorities said was arrested earlier this month when he tried to meet a 14-year-old child for sex. The page was created Friday by Adamovic, 48, of North Bergen. It hadn't received any donations when Daily Voice published a story about it on Saturday. Soon after, it was removed. Adamovic was arrested on Feb. 5 after authorities said he showed up in Bound Brook for sex with what he thought was an underage partner but was actually an undercover detective. Adamovic, a Bogota native who was graduated from Paramus Catholi…
Authorities: Central Jersey Man Assaults Somerset Officer Who Busted Him, 2 Others For Fraud Authorities: Central Jersey Man Assaults Somerset Officer Who Busted Him, 2 Others For Fraud
Authorities: Central Jersey Man Assaults Somerset Officer Who Busted Him, 2 Others For Fraud One of three people who fraudulently took out $10,000 in cash from a local bank hit a responding Warren Township police officer in the face then ran, police said. Deleon Hutchenson , 25, of Sayreville; Rebecca Burlew, 43, of Keyport and Lemar Lodge, 37, of East Orange were arrested on charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, theft by deception, resisting arrest and more, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said Tuesday. An employee of the Bank of America on Mountain Boulevard called police headquarters to report a possibly-fraudulent cash withdrawal of $10,000 aro…
NJ Woman Who Pointed Gun At Construction Worker Brings SWAT Presence To Apartment Complex NJ Woman Who Pointed Gun At Construction Worker Brings SWAT Presence To Apartment Complex
NJ Woman Who Pointed Gun At Construction Worker Brings SWAT Presence To Apartment Complex A 31-year-old woman accused of pointing a gun at a construction worker outside her apartment complex was arrested after a standoff with police Thursday, authorities said. Celeste E. Jensen, of Somerville, jailed on weapons related charges pending a bail hearing, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Police were called to the Brookside Apartments on Brookside Avenue in Somerville on reports that a woman flashed a gun at construction workers doing maintenance at the complex around 4:45 p.m., Robertson said alongside other authorities. The worker pointed police to Jensen,…
Fire That Destroyed Historic NJ Retreat For Celebrities Under Investigation Fire That Destroyed Historic NJ Retreat For Celebrities Under Investigation
Fire That Destroyed Historic NJ Retreat For Celebrities Under Investigation Authorities are investigating a fire that broke out at a historic Somerset County home once a retreat for New Jersey celebrities. Fire companies from several towns responded to 751 River Road in Hillsborough around 4 a.m. after 9-1-1 calls came in Thursday, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.  The home -- which was being renovated -- was nothing but a pile of rubble after firefighters extinguished the two-alarm blaze. No injuries were reported. Investigators from the Somerset County Fire Investigation Unit (FIU), along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor…