Tag:

Somerset County Prosecutor's Office

Grieving NJ Mother Hopes Cancer Won't Kill Her Before Daughter's Murder Trial Begins Grieving NJ Mother Hopes Cancer Won't Kill Her Before Daughter's Murder Trial Begins
Grieving NJ Mother Hopes Cancer Won't Kill Her Before Daughter's Murder Trial Begins “Mommy, tomorrow is going to be the most painful day of your life, and then it’s going to get better.” That’s what Maryrose Fealey told her mother, Janet Pizzelli, on Jan. 30, 2024, the day before Pizzelli was set to begin chemotherapy for breast cancer. “Well, she was wrong,” Pizzelli said of her daughter’s words. “It didn’t get better.” It got worse. That same night, Maryrose was stabbed to death by David Shroitman, who followed her home from the gym and killed her in her vehicle, prosecutors said. David Shroitman Somerset County Prosecutor's Office More than a year later, Pizz…
NJ Teacher Found With Child Porn: Prosecutor NJ Teacher Found With Child Porn: Prosecutor
NJ Teacher Found With Child Porn: Prosecutor A 48-year-old middle school teacher was arrested and charged on Tuesday, Feb. 25 with possessing child pornography, authorities said. Matthew Serwedes, a Hillsborough resident who teaches Learning, Design, and Technology at Carl Kumpf Middle School, became the center of an investigation following a tip regarding child porn being uploaded on a social media and messaging platform, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. During a search warrant of Serwedes' home, electronic devices were seized for further forensic analysis, McDonald said alongside County Prosecu…
Prominent Musician Who Worked With KISS Dies After Mom, 90, Crashes Car In New Jersey: Police Prominent Musician Who Worked With KISS Dies After Mom, 90, Crashes Car In New Jersey: Police
Prominent Musician Who Worked With KISS Dies After Mom, 90, Crashes Car In New Jersey: Police A 61-year-old musician who worked with KISS, died on Wednesday, Feb. 19 after his 90-year-old mother crashed a car into a tree in Bridgewater, authorities said. At 7:20 a.m., Arna Cochran was driving a 2015 Subaru Legacy on private property, when she backed the vehicle across the front yard and struck a tree, ejecting her son, Karl, Bridgewater police said.  Karl was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick where he succumbed to his injuries. This crash is still under investigation by the Bridgewater Township Police Department's Traffic Safety Bureau an…
Dodge Charger Driver, 28, Dies In NJ Tractor Trailer Crash: Cops Dodge Charger Driver, 28, Dies In NJ Tractor Trailer Crash: Cops
Dodge Charger Driver, 28, Dies In NJ Tractor Trailer Crash: Cops A 28-year-old woman died in a fiery tractor-trailer crash early Saturday, Feb. 1 in Somerset County, authorities said. The North Plainfield resident had been driving a 2020 orange Dodge Charger died on impact in the crash with a 2008 black Volvo tractor-trailer, the driver of which was not injured, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The vehicles collided around 2:50 a.m. near South Middlebush Road and Jacques Lane, the prosecutor said. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where they found the woman, dead on impact. She was the sole occupant, as was the tr…
GUILTY! Special Needs Girl Strangled As Bus Monitor Scrolled Instagram: Somerset Prosecutor GUILTY! Special Needs Girl Strangled As Bus Monitor Scrolled Instagram: Somerset Prosecutor
Guilty! Special Needs Girl Strangled As Bus Monitor Scrolled Instagram: Somerset Prosecutor A 28-year-old New Brunswick bus monitor has been found guilty after a six-year-old child with special needs in her care was killed was strangled by her wheelchair harness in July 2023. On Monday, July 17, 2023, Amanda Davila was working as a bus monitor for the route to the Claremont School in Franklin Township, where she was responsible for the safety of Fajr Williams, a 6-year-old girl in a wheelchair, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. ALSO SEE: NJ Mom Pushes For New Law After Bus Monitor Charged In 6-Year-Old Daughter's Death Williams was properly strapped in her wheelc…
Secret Rutgers Drug Network Exposed: Seven Arrested In Undercover Bust, Prosecutors Say Secret Rutgers Drug Network Exposed: Seven Arrested In Undercover Bust, Prosecutors Say
Secret Rutgers Drug Network Exposed: Seven Arrested In Undercover Bust, Prosecutors Say A covert social media network used by Rutgers University students to buy and sell drugs led to seven arrests following a months-long investigation, authorities said. The seven were arrested as part of the "Operation RU Pharm" investigation, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release on Thursday, Dec. 5. The undercover operation exposed a private social media network used by Rutgers students to distribute and purchase drugs. Investigators said they uncovered the online platform created by a former Rutgers student. Dealers posted menus of drugs for students w…
DNA Match Cracks 1997 NJ Murder Case, Suspect Arrested In Canada DNA Match Cracks 1997 NJ Murder Case, Suspect Arrested In Canada
DNA Match Cracks 1997 NJ Murder Case, Suspect Arrested In Canada After 27 years, authorities announced an arrest in a major Bridgewater cold case murder. Robert Creter, a 60-year-old Winnipeg, Manitoba resident was charged with the murder of Tamara "Tammy" Tignor, 23, of Newark,  Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said Monday, Dec. 2. Bridgewater police received a 9-1-1 call reporting the discovery of Tignor's body by a Bridgewater resident on a dirt access road that ended in a cul-de-sac off Gilbride Road near Washington Valley Park on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1997, McDonald said. An autopsy determined her death to be a homicide, authorities sai…
Tragedy On Route 202: Motorcyclist, 36, Killed In Collision With SUV, Authorities Say Tragedy On Route 202: Motorcyclist, 36, Killed In Collision With SUV, Authorities Say
Tragedy On Route 202: Motorcyclist, 36, Killed In Collision With SUV, Authorities Say A 36-year-old motorcyclist from Basking Ridge was killed Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 6 in a crash with an SUV on Route 202 in Somerset County, authorities said. An SUV driven by a 37-year-old woman from Bedminster was making a left turn onto Old York Road from Route 202 South when it collided with the motorcycle near the intersection of Old York Road in Centerville around 3:10 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The motorcyclist, who was traveling north on Route 202, was found severely injured at the scene by responding officers, McDonald said alongside…
Ex-Con Driving On 2 Flats Found With Gun, Hollow-Point Bullets At NJ School: Cops Ex-Con Driving On 2 Flats Found With Gun, Hollow-Point Bullets At NJ School: Cops
Ex-Con Driving On 2 Flats Found With Gun, Hollow-Point Bullets At NJ School: Cops A 49-year-old Burlington Township ex-convict was found with a loaded gun and drugs at a Somerset County school one early-morning this week, authorities said. Police in Franklin Township were notified around 6:10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, that someone was driving on two flat tires on the property of a local private school, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Arriving officers found Quincy K. Clark coming out of the bushes with his hands in his pockets, they said. Officers conducting the investigation found a high-capacity ammunition magazine on Clark, and a more extensive sea…
1 Dead In Head-On Somerset County Crash: Police 1 Dead In Head-On Somerset County Crash: Police
1 Dead In Head-On Somerset County Crash: Police One person was killed in a head-on crash early Tuesday, Oct. 15 in Somerset County, police said. UPDATE: Cops ID Victim Of Deadly Somerset County Crash the crash happened just before 7:25 a.m. on Amwell Road near South Middlebush Road in Franklin Township, police said. Police, fire, and EMS responded to the scene. The driver and sole occupant of one of the vehicles was pronounced dead. The driver and passenger of the other vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The factors that contributed to the crash are under investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Offic…
Dad Convicted In Route 287 Road Rage Shooting With Youngsters In Car: Prosecutor Dad Convicted In Route 287 Road Rage Shooting With Youngsters In Car: Prosecutor
Dad Convicted In Route 287 Road Rage Shooting With Youngsters In Car: Prosecutor A 41-year-old Middlesex County dad has been convicted of multiple charges in a road rage shooting on a Route 287 exit ramp in May 2023, authorities said. While driving in heavy traffic on Easton Avenue in Franklin Township by the Route 287 exit ramp, Gerald Chapman pulled alongside the victim's car and struck the passenger side mirror with his left hand, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. Chapman then drove behind and around to the driver's side of the vehicle, pulled out a handgun and fired two shots at the car, striking the driver's window and the rear driver's side door while …
Body Of NJ Resident, 31, Pulled From Car Submerged In River After Crash: Prosecutor Body Of NJ Resident, 31, Pulled From Car Submerged In River After Crash: Prosecutor
Body Of NJ Resident, 31, Pulled From Car Submerged In River After Crash: Prosecutor The body of a 31-year-old man was pulled from a vehicle that had plunged into the Delaware Raritan Canal over the weekend, police said. Police were called to Canal and Grouser roads on Saturday, Aug. 24 around 12:25 p.m. after a kayaker saw a 2024 Honda Civic in the river, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The body of the sole occupant, a 31-year-old Skillman man, was pulled from the vehicle, which was removed from the water by Mike's Towing and Recovery, McDonald said. An investigation found that the Honda had been heading west on Grouser Road when he entered the inte…
Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors
Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors A Somerset man was accused of trying to get a boy to send him nude pictures and videos in a sextortion scheme, authorities said. Sebastian Romero, 27, was arrested on Friday, Aug. 2, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said in a news release. The investigation started after the boy's family contacted the Cinnaminson Township Police Department in July. Investigators said Romero met the boy online through an online gaming platform's chatroom and knew the boy was underage. He got personal information about the boy before offering to pay him with electronic gif…
6 Charged In Luxury NJ Car Thefts: Prosecutor 6 Charged In Luxury NJ Car Thefts: Prosecutor
6 Charged In Luxury NJ Car Thefts: Prosecutor Five men and one juvenile were recently arrested and charged with numerous residential and vehicle burglaries in Somerset County, authorities said. In October 2023, broke into a Bernards Township home through a rear sliding window and stole a 2023 Mercedes Benz, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald announced. A 2020 Kia, previously stolen from Newark, was let behind at the scene. Several days later, entry was made into a home in Bernardsville and two BMWs were stolen, authorities said. In November, a Dodge Charger and BMW were stolen, authorities said. In December, police from Gre…
Ex-Cop Pleads Guilty In Double-Fatal Off Duty DWI Wreck In New Jersey, Prosecutor Says Ex-Cop Pleads Guilty In Double-Fatal Off Duty DWI Wreck In New Jersey, Prosecutor Says
Ex-Cop Pleads Guilty In Double-Fatal Off Duty DWI Wreck In New Jersey, Prosecutor Says A 30-year-old former police officer has pleaded guilty to charges filed in connection with a double-fatal wreck he caused while off duty last summer, authorities announced. Amitoj Oberoi, 29, of Somerset, was employed as an Edison police officer at the time of the accident on Route 27 in Franklin Township that killed Carlos Perez-Gayan, a 24-year-old Somerset resident, and Victor Cabrera-Francisco, a 20-year-old North Brunswick resident, as previously reported by Daily Voice. Oberoi pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated, authorities said. His …
NJ Man Steals Construction Vehicle, Crashes Multiple Times, Prosecutor Says NJ Man Steals Construction Vehicle, Crashes Multiple Times, Prosecutor Says
NJ Man Steals Construction Vehicle, Crashes Multiple Times, Prosecutor Says A 24-year-old man has been arrested for stealing a construction vehicle and leading a police pursuit in Somerset County on Tuesday, June 4, authorities said. Amr Khodeer, of Somerville, stole a vehicle from Union Street and sped away around 2:15 p.m. on June 4,  Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Bridgewater Township Chief of Police John Mitzak said. Khodeer drove "in a reckless manner," hitting two other cars and a structure in Bridgewater Township, authorities said. One of those driver…
NJ Driver, 33, In Deadly Hit-Run Made U-Turn Before Returning: Prosecutor NJ Driver, 33, In Deadly Hit-Run Made U-Turn Before Returning: Prosecutor
NJ Driver, 33, In Deadly Hit-Run Made U-Turn Before Returning: Prosecutor A Flemington man has been arrested in a deadly pedestrian crash, authorities in Somerset County said. Andres Estaban Silva, 33, was in a 2019 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck heading north on Veterans Memorial Drive and turning left onto Somerset Street in Somerville, when he struck a 72-year-old resident on Friday, April 26 around 6:10 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Following the crash, Silva made a U-turn and fled east on Veterans Memorial Drive, McDonald said. It wasn't long before he returned to the scene and parked in a lot on Somerset Street near the crash site…
NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor
NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Flemington field hockey coach was arrested on Thursday, March 28, and charged with sending one of his players, a 17-year-old girl, sexually explicit texts, authorities said. Brett Clay, a travel field hockey coach employed by Centercourt Field Hockey in Mount Olive, exchanged the text messages with the teen, a Bridgewater resident, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. Clay began sending illicit text messages in late December 2023, at one point offering her money in exchange for her sending him sexually explicit images, said McDonald alongside Chief of Count…
Knife-Wielding Teen Home Invader Forced Victim To ATM In New Jersey: Prosecutor Knife-Wielding Teen Home Invader Forced Victim To ATM In New Jersey: Prosecutor
Knife-Wielding Teen Home Invader Forced Victim To ATM In New Jersey: Prosecutor An 18-year-old Bernardsville teenager was arrested and charged with a home invasion that occurred last week, authorities said. On the early morning of Tuesday, March 5, Maicol Fernandez entered a home in Bernardsville armed with a knife, and demanded money, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Bernardsville Borough Chief of Police John Remian said. Fernandez escorted the victim to a nearby bank and demanded he withdraw money from an ATM, authorities said. At one point, a struggle ensued and the…
SWAT Team Seizes Firearms, $21K In Drugs From NJ Trio In Major Bust: Cops SWAT Team Seizes Firearms, $21K In Drugs From NJ Trio In Major Bust: Cops
SWAT Team Seizes Firearms, $21K In Drugs From NJ Trio In Major Bust: Cops Four handguns, five high-capacity magazines, and $21,000 in drugs were seized from three men following a narcotics investigation in Somerset County, authorities said. Brothers Christian, 22 and Sean Lebron, 20, along with Juan Martinez, 21, are facing numerous charges following the investigation, which concluded on Friday, Jan. 26 in Hillsborough, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. Raids at the home of the three men — Martinez, of Gemini Drive, and the Lebrons, on South Branch Road — turned up four handguns with five high-capacity magazines; 770 Xanax pills, 10 Oxycodo…
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…
Woman, 27, Dies After Being Found Stabbed Outside NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutor Woman, 27, Dies After Being Found Stabbed Outside NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutor
Woman, 27, Dies After Being Found Stabbed Outside NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutor A homicide investigation has been launched after a 27-year-old woman was stabbed dead outside of a Somerset County apartment complex Tuesday night, Jan. 30, officials said. The unidentified woman was found by Somerville police responding to a 911 call, outside a residential complex on North Bridge Street around 10:20 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Somerville Police Chief Dennis Manning. A postmortem ex…
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 …
69-Year-Old Repeat Child Porn Collector From NJ Gets Ten Years, No Parole 69-Year-Old Repeat Child Porn Collector From NJ Gets Ten Years, No Parole
69-Year-Old Repeat Child Porn Collector From NJ Gets Ten Years, No Parole A 69-year-old ex-con from New Jersey who'd previously avoided prison time for collecting child porn must spend the next decade behind bars for doing it again. Because there's no parole in the federal prison system, John Schulenburg of Basking Ridge will have to reach his 79th birthday in decent health before he'll taste freedom again. Schulenburg was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 10, to the mandatory 10-year minimum that U.S. law requires for a repeat offender as part of a plea bargain, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Had he gone to trial and been convicted, Schulenbu…
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…
Arsonist Found Unconscious After Setting Fire To His NJ Apartment: Prosecutor Arsonist Found Unconscious After Setting Fire To His NJ Apartment: Prosecutor
Arsonist Found Unconscious After Setting Fire To His NJ Apartment: Prosecutor A 40-year-old arsonist was found unconscious after setting a fire that ignited a Somerset County apartment, authorities said. Dashawn Holmes, a tenant in an East Main Street building in Somerville, was found unconscious by firefighters responding to the alarm set off just before midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 25, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Holmes was taken to an area hospital for treatment. The Somerville Fire Marshall responded to the scene and determined the fire to be suspicious in nature, said McDonald alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of…
Teen Killed Walking Home In Somerset County Was Voracious Reader With Gentle Soul Teen Killed Walking Home In Somerset County Was Voracious Reader With Gentle Soul
Teen Killed Walking Home In Somerset County Was Voracious Reader With Gentle Soul Police have identified the 18-year-old man killed while walking home in Somerset County last week. William Richardson was struck by a vehicle that veered off Route 202 (Main Street) and onto the sidewalk around 6:10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 in Bedminster, local police said. William was pronounced dead at the hospital, and the 35-year-old driver of the Nissan Altima that struck him was hospitalized. The crash is being investigated by local police and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. According to his obituary, William had graduated from Bernards High School last Spring. His true educa…
Sex Assault Strangulation Among Charges For Somerset County Attacker: Prosecutor Sex Assault Strangulation Among Charges For Somerset County Attacker: Prosecutor
Sex Assault Strangulation Among Charges For Somerset County Attacker: Prosecutor A 42-year-old Somerset County man has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman who he knew earlier this month, authorities said. Mateo Espinal-Brito, of Franklin Township, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman early Monday, Sept. 11, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The alleged incident occurred in Franklin Township and was reported that day around 5 a.m., the prosecutor said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather. Following an investig…
Attempted Murder: Somerset County Man Indicted In Chase With Police Lieutenant Attempted Murder: Somerset County Man Indicted In Chase With Police Lieutenant
Attempted Murder: Somerset County Man Indicted In Chase With Police Lieutenant A Somerset County man has been indicted on charges for first-degree attempted murder and other offenses following a June police chase with a local lieutenant, authorities announced Thursday, Sept. 21. Brian A. Niziolek, 37, of Fairview Avenue in Somerville, was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second- and third-degree aggravated assault, second-degree eluding, second-degree burglary, resisting arrest, motor vehicle theft, and various weapons offenses following the police pursuit in Manville on Thursday, June 29, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Officers respondin…
Pair Charged With Attempted Murder For Firing At Vehicle In Somerset County: Prosecutor Pair Charged With Attempted Murder For Firing At Vehicle In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Pair Charged With Attempted Murder For Firing At Vehicle In Somerset County: Prosecutor Two suspects were arrested and charged with attempted murder for firing at a vehicle in Somerset County last year, authorities announced Friday, Sept. 15. Ikeem Thomas, 20, of Covington, Georgia, and Josiah T. Talbert, 20, of Somerset, were each charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, and various weapons offenses stemming from an incident in which they fired at a vehicle near Sunny Slope Road in Bridgewater around 3:30 p.m. on March 1, 2022, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. No injuries were reported in the shooting, detectives s…
SEEN HIM? Somerset County Man Wanted On 5 Counts Of Attempted Murder: Prosecutor SEEN HIM? Somerset County Man Wanted On 5 Counts Of Attempted Murder: Prosecutor
Seen HIM? Somerset County Man Wanted On 5 Counts Of Attempted Murder: Prosecutor Seen him? Authorities in Somerset County are seeking the public’s help tracking down their ‘Fugitive of the Month,’ a 32-year-old East Brunswick man charged with five counts of attempted murder and other offenses. Cristobal Avila, 32, was charged with five counts of first-degree attempted murder and various weapons offenses following a North Plainfield incident from Sunday, April 11, 2021, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s office said in a Thursday, Sept. 7 release. Avila’s last known address was near N. Plainfield & East Brunswick, investigators say. He has brown hair and eyes and stand…