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27°
Tuesday, mar 4
Tag:
Monmouth County, NJ
Police & Fire
Man Who Sexually, Physically Abused Daughter Learns Fate: Monmouth County Prosecutor
A 51-year-old Marlboro Township man was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Friday, Feb. 28, for sexually and physically abusing his own daughter over the course of more than six years, authorities said. Andrey Penkin was convicted of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, last September, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago Penkin began abusing his daughter in 2016, when the family lived in Sayreville, Santiago said. Numerous incidents of sexual abuse followed, both in Sayreville and at their next two residences, in East Brunswick …
Business
Young NJ Restaurant Owner Says She's Getting Death Threats Amid Italian Food Feud
What started as a battle over pasta and pizza in a Monmouth County shopping plaza has turned into a full-blown war, complete with death threats, online attacks, and a legal showdown. A lawsuit, filed earlier this month by Luigi’s Famous Pizza, claims their lease agreement gives them the exclusive right to serve certain Italian dishes in the Lincroft Shopping Center. While the suit names Tatum’s Table, owned by 21-year-old Tatum Menake, it targets the landlord—accusing them of allowing another tenant to sell prohibited food items. Despite this, Menake has been caught in the crossfire—…
Police & Fire
Man Dies After Falling Into Water Near Route 35 Bridge: Belmar PD
A person was pronounced dead after they fell into the water near the Highway 35 Bridge in Monmouth County on Thursday, Feb. 27, authorities said. At 9 p.m., officers received a report of a subject in the water near the Highway 35 bridge, Belmar police said. Upon arrival, patrol officers immediately began searching the area under the bridge on the north side of the Belmar Marina, police said. A man was discovered submerged on the opposite side of the walkway railing underneath the bridge, police said. A witness told officers he saw the man fall over the railing from the walkway un…
Police & Fire
NJ Man Charged In $44K Bad Check Scheme, Prosecutor Says
A 33-year-old Long Branch man previously accused in a $300,000 scam has been charged with stealing more than $44,000 from a local bank branch using a fraudulent check scheme, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Wednesday, Feb. 26. Jacob Gindi is facing third-degree bad checks and third-degree theft by deception charges following an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit, Santiago said. The case began when Deal Police received a report in December 2024 of suspected fraudulent activity at a bank branc…
Police & Fire
Body Of Missing Man Walking Dog Recovered From Frozen NJ Lake: Police
A New Jersey man was found dead in a frozen lake in Millstone Township after state troopers rescued his stranded dog, authorities said. Troopers responded to Millstone Park in Monmouth County on Friday, Feb. 21, at 4:46 p.m. after receiving a report of a dog stuck on the ice, Sgt. Charles Marchan of the New Jersey State Police said. Troopers and the Millstone Fire Department were able to rescue the dog, but as they examined the scene, they noticed footprints leading onto the lake, a jacket and hat near the ice, and a fresh break in the surface, officials said. An investigation revealed tha…
Police & Fire
Man, 33, Killed By Multiple Vehicles On Parkway — And None Of Them Stopped,
Njsp
Says
New Jersey State Police are asking for the public’s help after a 33-year-old man was fatally struck by multiple vehicles in a hit-and-run crash on the Garden State Parkway in Monmouth County Friday, Feb. 14. The crash happened just before 6 p.m., when Jose Cerda-Estevez, of Plainfield, got out of a Honda Pilot that was traveling southbound in the express lanes near milepost 112.8, police said. After exiting the moving SUV, Cerda-Estevez was struck by multiple unidentified vehicles, all of which failed to stop at the scene, according to authorities. He died as a result. State Police are urg…
Police & Fire
Long Branch Murder Suspect Captured After Year On Run
A 25-year-old Long Branch fugitive wanted for a 2024 murder was recently arrested in Georgia, authorities said. Raheem Montes was arrested in Clayton County, Georgia, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. At 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 officers responded to Brighton Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and 2nd Avenue and found Elijah Buffaloe, a 31-year-old Long Branch resident struck by gunfire, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, police said. Montes was identified as the suspect and…
News
$50K Powerball Ticket Sold At Monmouth County Deli
It was a wonderful Wednesday for a Powerball player in Monmouth County. A ticket sold in Keansburg matched four of the white balls and the Power Ball in the drawing held on Wednesday, Feb. 5, winning $50,000. The ticket was purchased at Main Street Deli and Grocery. The winning numbers were 13, 24, 40, 41 and 50.
Police & Fire
Drug Dealer Sold Howell Victim Heroin, Meth That Killed Him: Prosecutor
A 40-year-old Howell Township resident was recently arrested and charged with supplying a man heroin and meth that killed him in 2023, authorities said. On Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 at 12:44 p.m., Howell Township police found an adult male deceased on the floor of his bedroom at a residence on Westbrook Road, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. An investigation revealed Paul Clites had been communicating with the victim leading up to his death, later providing him with the drugs that killed him, Santiago said. Clites was charged with strict liability for a drug-induced…
Sports
Shell Game: NJ Aquarium's Turtle Picks Super Bowl LIX Winner—Eagles Or Chiefs?
A turtle living near the New York Giants stadium appears to be rooting against her hometown team's biggest rival in the Super Bowl. Thelma, a river turtle at SEA LIFE Aquarium New Jersey, made her prediction for Super Bowl LIX. The turtle has picked the Kansas City Chiefs to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, according to the East Rutherford aquarium. Staff members put the NFL teams' helmets in Thelma's tank to have her make a pick by eating pieces of lettuce inside the facemasks. "Without any hesitation, she quickly swam past the Eagles and decided that the Chiefs would be …
Police & Fire
Major Belmar Fire Damages Multiple Structures, Injures Firefighters
A residential fire in Belmar left a resident with burns and two firefighters hurt on Saturday, Feb. 1, authorities said. Belmar police received a 911 call about a structure fire on the 500 block of 14th Avenue at approximately 7:37 p.m., police said. Fire crews from Belmar and surrounding municipalities responded and worked quickly to extinguish the flames, police said. Despite their efforts, multiple structures were damaged as the fire spread. Two firefighters suffered injuries while battling the blaze, though the severity was not immediately disclosed. A resident also sustained burn inju…
Police & Fire
Newark Man Stole $700K Worth Of Luxury Vehicles: AG
A 19-year-old Newark man was arrested and charged with running a residential burglary and auto theft ring throughout the state last year, authorities said. Samir White's crew targeted high-end vehicles throughout New Jersey and New York, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. White and others used stolen vehicles to travel to target locations throughout Monmouth, Ocean, and Essex counties, where they forced entry into homes using a crowbar, removed expensive items and key fobs to vehicles, then stole the homeowner’s cars from the residence, Platkin said. The estimated value of vehicles…
Police & Fire
Girls Basketball Coach Had Sexual Relationship With Student: Monmouth County Prosecutor
A 35-year-old teacher and Middletown High School North basketball coach was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a student on Tuesday, Jan. 28, authorities said. Justin McGhee, of Ocean Township — who is the head coach of the girls' basketball team— started the relationship with the student late last year, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. The student is under the age of 18, Santiago said. McGhee has been placed on administrative leave by Middletown High School North, Santiago said. He was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending proc…
Obituaries
'Spirit Lives On': Kris VanBuskirk, NJ Computer Whiz Killed In Car Crash: Authorities
A 26-year-old Howell resident, died on Wednesday, Jan. 22 after sustaining injuries in a car crash on Monday, Jan. 20, authorities said. At 11:01 a.m., a 2024 Black Kia Forte, driven by Kris VanBuskirk, collided with a 2012 Ford F-250 on Route 34 and Airport Blvd. in Wall Township, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. The driver of the F-250 remained on scene while VanBuskirk was hospitalized, authorities said. VanBuskirk is remembered for his love of life, the kind of man who could turn a trip to the grocery store into a memorable escapade, according to his obituary from Silv…
Police & Fire
Cop Illegally Used Computer Database To Look Up Woman's Info: Monmouth County Prosecutor
A 29-year-old police officer in Monmouth County was arrested and charged on Thursday, Jan. 23, with using computer databases to look up personal information about a woman and then traveled to her home, authorities said. Joshua James, a Neptune Township officer, was working a detail outside a local elementary school earlier this month when he noticed a woman picking up her child, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. He then looked up her license plate and home address in two law enforcement databases intended strictly for policing purposes, Santiago said. James then drove to the…
Police & Fire
Disbarred Lawyer Stole $1 Mil+ From Clients: Monmouth County Prosecutor
A 49-year-old disbarred Hazlet lawyer was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday, Jan. 17, after he admitted to stealing nearly $1.18 million from more than 60 clients. Steven Salami is also ordered to pay the full amount of stolen funds, back to the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, which had previously reimbursed his clients, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. From April to August 2019, while working as an attorney, Salami took $300,000 from four victims as part of real estate transactions, Santiago said. Salami put the money in escrow, but f…
Weather
Here's Who Got The Most Snow In New Jersey: See The Town By Town Totals
New Jersey experienced a wide range of snowfall from a winter storm that swept through the state on Jan. 19, 2025, with Kinnelon in Morris County topping the charts at a whopping 7 inches, according to reports from the National Weather Service (NWS). Adding to the challenges, a Cold Weather Advisory is now in effect for much of the region from 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 through noon Wednesday, with wind chills expected to drop as low as 7 below zero. Residents are urged to take precautions to avoid hypothermia and frostbite, including wearing proper clothing, keeping pets indoors, and checking o…
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore Plumber Sentenced For Taking Upskirt Videos Of 27 Women: Monmouth Prosecutor
A 35-year-old Red Bank resident was sentence to eight years in prison on Friday, Jan. 10 after admitting to filming 27 women without their consent, authorities said. On Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, Christopher Cox entered the ShopRite supermarket in Shrewsbury and began following female shoppers around the store. He used his cell phone like he was recording women from behind before he left the store and drove away in a white Dodge Durango, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. A week later, police pulled Cox over on Newman Springs Road, Santiago said. He initially got…
News
Jackpot
! Lotto Ticket Sold At Monmouth Gas Station Tops Six Figures
It was a terrific Tuesday for a lottery player in Monmouth County. A ticket sold in Hazlet matched five numbers in the Jersey Cash 5 drawing held on Tuesday, Jan. 14, winning $248,541. The ticket was purchased at Hazlet Exxon Route 35 South. The winning numbers were 02, 09, 14, 20, 33. The Xtra was 02 and the Bullseye was 20
Police & Fire
Trail Of Terror: Prison For NJ Man In Cross-County Crime Spree
A New Jersey man who left a trail of terror across county lines in a crime spree involving attempted kidnapping, sexual assault, and high-speed police chases has been sentenced to over a decade in state prison, officials announced. Quamel Benton, 36, of Farmingdale (Monmouth County) was sentenced on Jan. 10, to seven years in New Jersey State Prison for attempted kidnapping by Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. The sentence requires Benton to serve at least 85% of his term under the No Early Release Act. He also received additional se…
Police & Fire
Ex-Husband Of
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Star Sentenced For Stalking, Leading To Home Invasion: Prosecutor
Thomas Manzo, the ex-husband of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Dina Cantin, was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 8, after previously pleading guilty to stalking her and her then-fiancé now-husband David Cantin, leading to a 2017 home invasion, authorities said. Manzo, a 59-year-old Franklin Lakes resident, pleaded guilty last October to stalking the couple in Holmdel between 2015 and 2019. James Mainello, a 57-year-old Bayonne resident, pleaded guilty to robbing and assaulting the same victims in May 2017, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. On Saturday, May 13, 201…
Police & Fire
Pedestrian Critical After Struck By Vehicle On Route 9: Prosecutor
A 77-year-old Howell Township man is in critical condition after he was struck by a vehicle on Route 9 on the early morning of Tuesday, Jan. 7, authorities said. At 4:51 a.m., Howell Township police responded to Route 9 and Strickland Road after a driver, who was traveling southbound in the right lane of Route 9, collided with the man, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. The man remains hospitalized with multiple injuries, Santiago said. The driver remained on scene and was cooperative with law enforcement officers, Santiago said.
Police & Fire
Charges Filed In Allentown Shooting Prompting Town-Wide Shelter In Place
A 52-year-old New Jersey man has been charged in connection with a shooting that left a woman injured prompting a town-wide shelter-in-place on Tuesday, Dec. 31,2024, authorities said. Daniel Williams, of Allentown, is facing charges of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and multiple weapons offenses, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. The endangering charge stems from a child being present in the home at the time of the shooting, authorities said. The incident occurred at approximately 12:51 p.m., bringing officers from t…
Police & Fire
Shooter In Custody Following Incident That Had Entire NJ Town Under Shelter In Place: Officials
A 52-year-old gunman is in custody after a shooting in New Jersey prompted a shelter-in-place order for the entire town on Tuesday, Dec. 31, officials said. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office identified the suspect as Daniel Williams, who was being sought in connection with a shooting that occurred earlier in the afternoon. Authorities announced Williams' capture shortly after 6 p.m., bringing relief to the community. The shooting unfolded around 2 p.m. at a home on Johnson Drive, according to local police and a statement from Allentown Mayor Thomas Fritts. The victim sustained injurie…
Traffic
Major Water Main Break Creates Traffic Chaos On Route 35 In Central Jersey (
Developing
)
A significant water main break has closed most of Route 35 in Shrewsbury, officials said. All northbound lanes on Route 35 were closed on Tuesday, Dec. 31, the state Department of Transportation said. Only one of two southbound lanes remained open near Broad Street (Monmouth County Route 520) and Newman Springs Road. The traffic operations center for NJDOT first reported the incident at around 5 a.m., urging drivers to use caution and plan alternate routes to avoid delays. Crews were on-site working to address the break, but officials have not yet provided a timeline for repairs …
Police & Fire
Burglar Ignited Fire That Destroyed Jersey Shore Home, Prosecutors Say
An Asbury Park man was accused of arson and burglary after a fire destroyed a Deal home, authorities said. Nasyr-Alaire Fisher, 20, was arrested on Sunday, Dec. 29, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release. Firefighters responded to the two-alarm house fire on Lady Bess Drive at around 6:31 a.m. Crews put out the flames and remained at the scene for about five hours, the Deal Fire Department said in a Facebook post. Neptune City and Wanamassa firefighters also responded to the scene. Investigators identified Fisher as the person responsible for starting the fire.…
Police & Fire
Two People Injured In 'Stubborn' Jersey Shore Blaze During Busy, Frigid Day For Firefighters
Two people were hospitalized after their Asbury Park home caught fire two days before Christmas, officials said. Dispatchers first received calls about the fire on Ridge Avenue at around 11:52 on Monday, Dec. 23, the Asbury Park firefighters union said in a Facebook post. Asbury Park and Neptune firefighters initially responded but crews from Long Branch, Wanamassa, Tinton Falls, and Glendola were soon called to help. "This fire proved to be stubborn but companies worked hard to contain and eventually knock down the fire," the firefighters union said. 12/23/2024: Working Fire on Ridge…
Weather
5 Inches Of Snow Fell In Parts Of New Jersey: See How Much Your Town Got
A winter storm dropped varying amounts of snow across New Jersey overnight Friday, Dec. 20, into Saturday morning, Dec. 21. Snowfall totals ranged from trace amounts in South Jersey to more than 5 inches in parts of North Jersey, creating slippery conditions on roadways as temperatures remained below freezing, according to data from the National Weather Service. Sussex and Morris counties recorded the highest snowfall, with Sparta Township leading at 5.5 inches and Randolph Township close behind at 5.3 inches. Meanwhile, southern counties like Atlantic and Cumberland reported only tra…
Police & Fire
Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former NJ Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say
A former Middletown police sergeant was given 22 criminal charges after an investigation revealed a web of illegal activity involving untraceable guns, drugs, and abuse of power, authorities said. David Ringkamp, 43, was indicted by a grand jury, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, Dec. 19. Ringkamp was formerly a Union Beach resident. The investigation into Ringkamp began in December 2021. New York State Police identified Nicholas D’Ambrosio of Millstone as someone purchasing kits to assemble ghost guns, which are illegal in New Jersey.…
Police & Fire
Man, 26, Killed On Bridge By NJ Transit Train Identified
A Middletown man has been named as the pedestrian who was struck by a New Jersey Transit train and killed in Monmouth County, officials said. Michael Feldmann, 26, was identified as the victim in the crash on Wednesday, Dec. 4, an NJ Transit spokesperson said on Monday, Dec. 16. The North Jersey Coast Line train hit Feldmann on the Normandy Road bridge in Middletown at around 7:25 a.m. None of the 120 customers and crew members on the train were injured. The train had left the Long Branch station at 7:10 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive at New York Penn Station at 8:41 …
Police & Fire
20-Year-Old Man Identified In Deadly Three-Vehicle Central Jersey Crash
A Howell Township man was named as the victim killed in a three-vehicle crash in Freehold Township, authorities said. Yasine Belkadi, 20, died in the collision on Jackson Mills Road near Geisler Road, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said on Thursday, Dec. 12. Freehold Township police responded to the scene at around 10:27 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9. Investigators say a Belkadi was driving a 2017 Infiniti Q50 north on Jackson Mills when his car collided with a 2017 Ford Transit Van driven by a 40-year-old man. A 2017 Subaru Legacy, driven by a 21-year-…
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