Million-Dollar Heist: Thieves Cut Hole In Wall To Steal $1M From NJ Mall Jewelry Store Million-Dollar Heist: Thieves Cut Hole In Wall To Steal $1M From NJ Mall Jewelry Store
Million-Dollar Heist: Thieves Cut Hole In Wall To Steal $1M From NJ Mall Jewelry Store Toms River police were looking for whoever stole about $1 million in jewelry from a store, authorities said. Officers responded to a burglary and theft report at Venzio Jewelers in the Ocean County Mall at around 10:10 a.m. on Thursday, Mar. 28, a Toms River police spokesperson said. The store told police that someone had broken into it after closing at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 27. Investigators said the thieves entered a rear office by cutting a hole in the wall of a neighboring empty store. The suspects sliced phone and alarm cables, and appeared to use a torch to steal about $1 million …
NJ Supermarket Celebrates Selling $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket: 'Thrilled For This Community' NJ Supermarket Celebrates Selling $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket: 'Thrilled For This Community'
NJ Supermarket Celebrates Selling $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket: 'Thrilled For This Community' A Jersey Shore supermarket celebrated selling the ticket that earned someone the largest lottery jackpot in the Garden State's history. The New Jersey Lottery said the winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased at ShopRite Wine & Spirits on Route 66 in Neptune. The jackpot reached $1.13 billion in the drawing on Tuesday, Mar. 26. The NJ Lottery held a news conference at the grocery store to formally announce the lucky ticket on Wednesday, Mar. 27. "I used to live in Neptune," said NJ Lottery executive director James Carey. "I live right down the street right now in Monmouth County…
Man Tried To Abduct Teen Girl, Groped Woman In South Jersey Crime Spree: Prosecutors Man Tried To Abduct Teen Girl, Groped Woman In South Jersey Crime Spree: Prosecutors
Man Tried To Abduct Teen Girl, Groped Woman In South Jersey Crime Spree: Prosecutors A Monmouth County man was accused of trying to kidnap a teen girl and groping a woman in a Target parking lot as part of a two-county crime spree, authorities said. Quamel Benton, 35, of Farmingdale, was arrested on Friday, Mar. 22, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He was charged with attempted kidnapping, luring, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal sexual contact, two counts of eluding, resisting arrest, and obstruction. Lakewood police responded to a report of an attempted kidnapping near Forest Park Circle at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Ma…
Toms River Teacher Who Sent Inappropriate Pics To Student, Took Classroom Nudes Sentenced Toms River Teacher Who Sent Inappropriate Pics To Student, Took Classroom Nudes Sentenced
Toms River Teacher Who Sent Inappropriate Pics To Student, Took Classroom Nudes Sentenced A former Toms River teacher will spend time in prison after admitting to sending inappropriate Snapchat pictures to a student and posting sexual photos of himself in his classroom, authorities said. Kyle Banner, 49, of Brick Township, was sentenced on Friday, Mar. 22 to four months in Ocean County Jail, county prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release. He was a teacher at Toms River Intermediate North (TRIN) and Ocean County College. Banner pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, to three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. As part of his plea, Banner…
Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In South Jersey Drug Bust, Four Arrested Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In South Jersey Drug Bust, Four Arrested
Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In South Jersey Drug Bust, Four Arrested Four people were accused of selling several drugs throughout Ocean County, including heroin and fentanyl, authorities said. The people arrested were 33-year-old Orthis Allen of Bayville, 33-year-old Ashley Banks of Brick, and two 23-year-olds from Toms River, Lauren Torres and Anthony Martinez. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the four arrests in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 5. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents helped Ocean County investigators and local police in a two-month-long investigation into illegal drugs sold throughout Ocean County. The investi…
Woman Knocked Unconscious, Kidnapped Outside Toms River Grocery Store: Police Woman Knocked Unconscious, Kidnapped Outside Toms River Grocery Store: Police
Woman Knocked Unconscious, Kidnapped Outside Toms River Grocery Store: Police A man was accused of kidnapping a woman in the parking lot of a Toms River grocery store, authorities said. Luis Morenogutierrez was arrested on Sunday, Feb. 25, the Toms River Police Department said in a news release. No age or hometown was given for Morenogutierrez. Police responded to customers arguing in the parking lot of the Aldi on Route 70 at around 6:55 p.m. When officers arrived, they learned a woman had been kidnapped at knifepoint by a man. The man assaulted her and knocked her unconscious at a different location. She was brought to the hospital for her injuries. Englewood pol…
Jersey Shore Boardwalks Get $100M For 'Vital' Upgrades Jersey Shore Boardwalks Get $100M For 'Vital' Upgrades
Jersey Shore Boardwalks Get $100M For 'Vital' Upgrades Jersey Shore communities are getting $100 million in state grants to make crucial repairs to their boardwalk, officials said. The Boardwalk Preservation Fund money will go to 18 municipalities in Atlantic, Cape May, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Friday, Feb. 23. The state Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) will give out the funds to invest in "state-of-the-art materials that increase storm resiliency and ensure longer lasting infrastructure." In a news release, Gov. Murphy said the money will help coastal tourist destinations stay vibrant. …
Suspected Toms River Hookah Lounge Killer Will Stay In Jail For Trial: Prosecutors Suspected Toms River Hookah Lounge Killer Will Stay In Jail For Trial: Prosecutors
Suspected Toms River Hookah Lounge Killer Will Stay In Jail For Trial: Prosecutors The man accused of murder in a triple shooting at a Toms River hookah lounge will have to stay in jail through his trial. A judge ordered on Thursday, Feb. 22 that Eric Manzanares, 24, of Asbury Park, will remain detained in the Ocean County Jail pending his trial, county prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced. He was charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Manzanares has been held in the county jail since Wednesday, Jan. 24, when he was extradited to New Jersey from Virginia. H…
Jacket With Name, Phone Number Led Feds Right To Capitol Rioter From New Jersey: DOJ Jacket With Name, Phone Number Led Feds Right To Capitol Rioter From New Jersey: DOJ
Jacket With Name, Phone Number Led Feds Right To Capitol Rioter From New Jersey: DOJ A Toms River man wearing a jacket with his business's name and phone number on the front of it to the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection has been arrested more than three years later. Robert Coppotelli was charged with four misdemeanor counts of illegally entering the Capitol and disrupting the joint session of Congress to count the electoral college votes in the 2020 Presidential election. The accusations against Coppotelli were outlined in a court document filed on Friday, Feb. 16. Prosecutors with the U.S. Department of Justice said an anonymous tip in July 2021 identified …
Four Inches Of Snow Forecasted Along Jersey Shore Overnight Four Inches Of Snow Forecasted Along Jersey Shore Overnight
Four Inches Of Snow Forecasted Along Jersey Shore Overnight Many parts of the Jersey Shore avoided the snow during a pre-Valentine's Day winter storm, but the coast doesn't appear to be dodging it this time. The National Weather Service said the Jersey Shore could see two to four inches of snow overnight and in the morning on Saturday, Feb. 17. All counties in South Jersey are under a winter weather advisory for the duration of the storm, with some winter storm warnings expected. The snow is expected to begin across South Jersey at around 1 a.m., according to the NWS. Places along the Pennsylvania border could see the snow start falling a little ear…
South Jersey Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Major Winter Storm South Jersey Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Major Winter Storm
South Jersey Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Major Winter Storm Some South Jersey school districts are canceling classes or delaying the start of school before a winter storm that's expected on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth Counties. There is also a coastal flood warning in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. The NWS predicts four to six inches of snow in Trenton, three to four inches in Long Branch, and one to two inches in Toms River. Southern Jersey Shore places like Atlantic City, Cape May County, Long Beach, Ocean City, and Vinela…
Former Toms River Track Star Diego Rodriguez Garibaldi Dies Following Crash, 19 Former Toms River Track Star Diego Rodriguez Garibaldi Dies Following Crash, 19
Former Toms River Track Star Diego Rodriguez Garibaldi Dies Following Crash, 19 Family and loved ones are mourning the death of a teen from Toms River. A GoFundMe page was created in the memory of Diego Rodriguez Garibaldi, who died on Friday, Jan. 26 at 19 years old, according to his obituary.  The memorial fundraiser was created after a car crash sent Rodriguez Garibaldi to the hospital. Details in the crash were not immediately available. The GoFundMe page raised more than $28,500 from at least 500 donations as of Thursday, Feb. 8. "Your overwhelming support has meant the world to his family during this challenging time," the fundraiser page said. "We are gra…