NJ Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Vet Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen Students NJ Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Vet Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen Students
NJ Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Vet Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teen Students A 44-year-old martial arts instructor was arrested for sexually assaulting two teen students, authorities in Somerset County said. Vincent Damiano carried out the assaults in Branchburg Township (Somerset County), Asbury (Warren County), and the Borough of Lebanon (Hunterdon County) from May 2019 to July 2019, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Damiano's website says he is a "multi-business entrepreneur, adventurer, speaker, coach, martial arts instructor, and combat veteran," who served 10 years in the military "and now serves his community by giving back through on…
'BOUND & RESTRAINED': NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 2 Kids Found Dead In Car 'BOUND & RESTRAINED': NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 2 Kids Found Dead In Car
'Bound & Restrained': NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 2 Kids Found Dead In Car A 36-year-old New Jersey mom was charged with two counts of first-degree murder after her two young children were found "bound and restrained" -- and dead -- in the back seat of her car, authorities said. A 911 call was received around 7:40 a.m. Tuesday, reporting a disabled vehicle on Mountain View Road in Hillsborough, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. Responding officers found the driver, Yuhwei Chou, of Skillman, and two children -- one in a booster seat and the other in a baby seat -- bound and restrained in the car's back seats, authorities said. Investigators det…
NJ Fencing Coach, Columbia U Champ Who Sexually Assaulted 2 Teens Lied Under Oath: Prosecutor NJ Fencing Coach, Columbia U Champ Who Sexually Assaulted 2 Teens Lied Under Oath: Prosecutor
NJ Fencing Coach, Columbia U Champ Who Sexually Assaulted 2 Teens Lied Under Oath: Prosecutor A New Jersey fencing coach was arrested for sexually assaulting two teenagers then gave false statement in his detention hearing, authorities said. A 16-year-old girl reported being sexually assaulting by Stephen Kovacs, 49, of Watchung, in Bridgewater in August and September 2021, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.  Then, a 19-year-old woman said she was also sexually assault by Kovacs -- formerly of Clifton -- when she was 18, Robertson said. The victim earlier this month disclosed incidents of sexual assault that occurred in Bridgewater from January 2020 to …
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 R&B Singer Jaheim Abused 15 Dogs Some In Water-Filled Crates, Emaciated, Prosecutor Says NJ R&B Singer Jaheim Abused 15 Dogs Some In Water-Filled Crates, Emaciated, Prosecutor Says
NJ R&B Singer Jaheim Abused 15 Dogs Some In Water-Filled Crates, Emaciated, Prosecutor Says New Jersey R&B singer Jaheim Hoagland has been arrested for abusing 15 dogs -- some severely emaciated and others found in crates filled with several inches of water, authorities said. Hillsborough police officers responded to a Chamberlain Drive home on reports of a puppy in distress around 9:15 a.m. Sept. 6, where they found six dogs in separate animal crates in the driveway of the home, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. One of the dogs was initially unresponsive in a water filled crate and subsequently had to be euthanized, Robertson said alongside Somer…
NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say
NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say A 53-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for attacking a victim with an axe, sending him to the hospital, authorities said. Jonathan W. Beatty, of Raritan, was at his West Somerset Street house when he got into an argument with someone he knew around 12:50 a.m. July 3, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Things escalated and Beatty sliced the victim's back and forearm with the axe, causing him to bleed profusely, Robertson said alongside Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Raritan Borough Chief of Police Raymond Nolte. Beatty was transported from …
Prosecutor: Juvenile Beaten With Gun, Lured In NJ Drug Deal Gone Bad Prosecutor: Juvenile Beaten With Gun, Lured In NJ Drug Deal Gone Bad
Prosecutor: Juvenile Beaten With Gun, Lured In NJ Drug Deal Gone Bad Two more arrests have been made in connection with a Somerset County drug deal gone bad last January, authorities said Thursday. Kayla S. Burnett, 20, of Ewing, and Samuel P. Dyal, 18, of Princeton, were arrested on May 26 and May 27, respectively, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. George C. Battle, 4th was taken into custody on April 28, 2021 and charged with armed robbery, unlawful possession of a handgun, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and luring, all in connection with the Montgomery Township incident, Robertson said. On Jan. 25, a juvenile told police that…
Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting
Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting Two men have been arrested in connection with a Somerset County shooting last month, authorities announced Monday. Somerville police responded to Third and Center streets on reports of shots fired around 2:45 a.m. May 23, where they found bullet holes in an occupied home, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Ronnie Lyles, 51, of Phillipsburg, and Miguel A. Hernandez, 37, of Somerville, were identified as the two suspects involved in the shooting, Robertson said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Somervil…
PA Trio Charged With Attempted Murder In Shooting Of NJ Motorcyclist On I-287 PA Trio Charged With Attempted Murder In Shooting Of NJ Motorcyclist On I-287
PA Trio Charged With Attempted Murder In Shooting Of NJ Motorcyclist On I-287 Three Pennsylvania men were charged in a drive-by shooting on Interstate 287 in New Jersey that injured a motorcyclist over the weekend, authorities said. Matthew Plaza, 32, of Allentown; Luis Velez, 37, of Bethlehem; and Raymond Bethancourt, 35, of Shillington have been arrested on various weapons charges while Plaza is also facing a charge of attempted murder, New Jersey State Police said. Troopers from the Somerville Station responded to Chimney Rock Road in Bridgewater, where the motorcyclist had called 911 saying another driver brandished a gun and shot him on the highway around 6:40 p…
Pair Charged With Murder In Fatal Stabbing Of Somerset County Man, 23, Prosecutor Says Pair Charged With Murder In Fatal Stabbing Of Somerset County Man, 23, Prosecutor Says
Pair Charged With Murder In Fatal Stabbing Of Somerset County Man, 23, Prosecutor Says Two suspects are facing murder charges in connection to the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old Somerset County man earlier this week, authorities said. Nasir J. Williams aka “Duck”, 20, and Ishadir S. Hunter aka “Ice”, 22, both of Somerset, were taken into custody Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree armed robbery and third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, Robertson said. Hunter was also charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. Jamari R. Stephenson, of Somerset, was found unresponsive by officers inside a house on H…
NJ Driving School Instructor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Students NJ Driving School Instructor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Students
NJ Driving School Instructor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Students A 59-year-old Somerset County ex-driving school instructor was arrested for sexually assaulting two driving students during sessions, authorities said. Steven Collucci, who previously worked for Dill's Driving School, is accused of sexually assaulting two 16-year-old alleged victims, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. The first alleged victim reported being touched in a sexual manner by Collucci, of Somerville, while driving in the Bridgewater and Hillsborough area in June 2017, Robertson said. Then, in January 2021, a second individual reported being touched s…
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…