Tag:

Toms River, NJ

'Gas Station Heroin' Killed NJ Man, Philadelphia Firm Announces 'Gas Station Heroin' Killed NJ Man, Philadelphia Firm Announces
'Gas Station Heroin' Killed NJ Man, Philadelphia Firm Announces The family of a Toms River man has filed a lawsuit claiming he was killed by a supplement known by many as "gas station heroin." The suit, filed on Thursday, Sept. 5 by the family of 32-year-old Matthew Cornier, names Neptune Resources, LLC; Super Chill CBD Products; and Hometown Market. Philadelphia-based law firm Feldman Shepherd announced the legal action in a news release on Thursday, Sept. 12. Cornier died on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, after consuming Neptune's Fix Elixir purchased from a store in Point Pleasant, the suit claimed. The product is marketed as a dietary supplement…
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…
'Always The Underdog:' Toms River Fighter Frankie Edgar Will Be Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame 'Always The Underdog:' Toms River Fighter Frankie Edgar Will Be Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame
'Always The Underdog:' Toms River Fighter Frankie Edgar Will Be Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame A Toms River mixed martial artist known for taking down more physically imposing fighters has reached the summit of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Frankie "The Answer" Edgar was named as the first UFC Hall of Fame inductee for 2024. The UFC announced his acceptance into MMA's most exclusive club during UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday, Jan. 20. The UFC released a video tribute to Edgar's career when making the announcement. "Undersized, always the underdog, everyone could see themselves in Frankie," UFC commentator Din Thomas said in the video. "Frankie was really the first fighter to p…
New Forecast: Increased Snowfall Totals Expected, Arctic Temps To Follow Northeast Storm New Forecast: Increased Snowfall Totals Expected, Arctic Temps To Follow Northeast Storm
New Forecast: Increased Snowfall Totals Expected, Arctic Temps To Follow Northeast Storm Newly-released forecast maps show parts of the region could see up to six inches of snow in the end-of-week storm. Intermittent snow is expected to begin between 4 and 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, with the heaviest amounts falling in the afternoon, the National Weather Service said. Snow will fall at about 0.5 inches per hour and will taper by the evening, with temps in the upper 20s and low 30s, the NWS said. SNOWFALL PREDICTIONS The areas expected to get 4 to 6 inches are Trenton, Long Branch, Allentown, and Philadelphia. Reading, Vineland, Parsippany and Toms River are expected to get 3 to …
'Large-Scale' Drug Traffickers Wanted In Berks County: DA 'Large-Scale' Drug Traffickers Wanted In Berks County: DA
'Large-Scale' Drug Traffickers Wanted In Berks County: DA Two members of an alleged Berks-based "large-scale drug trafficking organization" are still on the run, according to the District Attorney's Office.  Of the 29 men charged as part of the DA's "Operation Knockout" last month, all except for 44-year-old Jeffrey Kanelos and 34-year-old Moises Franco are in custody, authorities said.  Both men are Reading residents and face multiple felony charges including corrupt organizations and conspiracy, said officials.  Roughly $1.5 million in cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other drugs were seized from properties across Berks Co…
2 Broken Thumbs Down: Gambino Family Hothead Nearly Torches Jersey Shore Restaurant, Feds Say 2 Broken Thumbs Down: Gambino Family Hothead Nearly Torches Jersey Shore Restaurant, Feds Say
2 Broken Thumbs Down: Gambino Family Hothead Nearly Torches Jersey Shore Restaurant, Feds Say Life imitated art when a reputed Gambino crime family captain threatened to burn down a Jersey Shore restaurant, then went to a service station across the street and tried to buy and fill a plastic gas can, federal authorities said. In what could’ve been a scene from any number of modern-day mob movies, Joseph Lanni of Staten Island became a walking cliché, the Justice Department said in announcing an organized-crime takedown that stretched all the way to Sicily. Lanni and fellow Staten Islander Vincent “Vinny Slick” Minsquero “became belligerent” after being asked to leave Roxy’s Bar and G…
7 Suspected Drug Dealers With 'Links To Mexican Cartel' Sought By Berks DA 7 Suspected Drug Dealers With 'Links To Mexican Cartel' Sought By Berks DA
7 Suspected Drug Dealers With 'Links To Mexican Cartel' Sought By Berks DA A week after "Operation Knockout" saw 29 accused drug dealers charged in Berks County, prosecutors say seven of them are still on the run.  Roughly $1.5 million in cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other substances were seized by authorities in recent weeks as part of their effort targeting a "large-scale drug trafficking organization" based in and around Reading, officials have said.  The organization, according to the DA's Office, was being supplied by a source who had "direct links to a Mexican cartel." Only 18 of the suspects were in custody when authorities announced "Operation…
29 Charged, $1.5 Million In Drugs Seized In Massive Berks County Raid: DA 29 Charged, $1.5 Million In Drugs Seized In Massive Berks County Raid: DA
29 Charged, $1.5 Million In Drugs Seized In Massive Berks County Raid: DA Several dozen people face criminal charges and a purported $1.5 million in drugs have been seized as part of "Operation Knockout" in Berks County, according to District Attorney John T. Adams' Office.  The operation targeted a "large-scale drug trafficking organization" based in and around Reading with alleged ties to "a Mexican cartel," said prosecutors.  Police said they began investigating individual dealers in early 2023 but sought court approval for electronic surveillance after they "determined that these individuals were part of an even larger organization." …
Surfing Teacher Rescues Jersey Shore Swimmer While Filming Promo Video For Boogie Board Surfing Teacher Rescues Jersey Shore Swimmer While Filming Promo Video For Boogie Board
Surfing Teacher Rescues Jersey Shore Swimmer While Filming Promo Video For Boogie Board A teacher saved a Jersey Shore swimmer in distress while surfing over the weekend, and he just so happened to capture it on video. US Marine Steve Houser, of Toms River, went to LBI Sunday, Sept. 3, to film a promo video for one of Tandm Surf's boards Oh, what a video they got. Houser — who works as a special education history teacher in the PATHS program at Piscataway High School — was surfing out teaching his daughter how to surf when he spotted the struggling swimmers. "I could see five to seven people in distress," said Houser, a Downingtown, PA native. "As a surfer, I can spot a ri…
Tie Between Plane Crash, Wildfire In Ocean County Unclear Tie Between Plane Crash, Wildfire In Ocean County Unclear
Tie Between Plane Crash, Wildfire In Ocean County Unclear Sometime around a plane crashed in Ocean County, a wildfire broke out. As of Sunday afternoon, Sept. 3, it remained unclear if the two were connected. The FAA said a single-engine Cirrus SR22 crashed in a wooded area in Toms River, New Jersey, around 2:30 a.m. Only the pilot was on board. According to 6abc, the plane had departed Pottstown, PA, and was heading to Toms River when it crashed in a wooded area of Lacey Township, near the Ocean County Airport. Sometime thereafter, a wildfire broke out, closing a portion of Dover and Mule roads near Miller Airpark. The FAA and National Tr…
Predator Who Drove 2,700 Miles For Sex With Jersey Shore Girl, 14, Busted When He Returns: Feds Predator Who Drove 2,700 Miles For Sex With Jersey Shore Girl, 14, Busted When He Returns: Feds
Predator Who Drove 2,700 Miles For Sex With Jersey Shore Girl, 14, Busted When He Returns: Feds A predator from Louisiana who drove 2,700 miles roundtrip for sex with an underage Jersey Shore girl was captured when he flew back for more, federal authorities said. Spencer William-Wayne Caudle, 34, began grooming the 14-year-old victim through the Whisper app in April, a complaint on file in U.S. District Court in Trenton alleges. Although he expressed concern about ending up on TV's “To Catch a Predator,” Caudle drove to Toms River and “committed sexual acts on the victim” on May 27, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Caudle left for home later that night, Seliling…
TAPPIN' IT: Manager Admits Embezzling $4.5M From NJ Brain Injury Fund For Sex With Gal Pals TAPPIN' IT: Manager Admits Embezzling $4.5M From NJ Brain Injury Fund For Sex With Gal Pals
Tappin' IT: Manager Admits Embezzling $4.5M From NJ Brain Injury Fund For Sex With Gal Pals The now-former manager of a fund for traumatic brain injury patients in New Jersey admitted diverting more than $4.5 million in public money to women he was having sex with, authorities said. Harry Pizutelli, 64, of Edison, pleaded guilty by videoconference to conspiring to commit health care fraud before a federal judge in Trenton, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Wednesday, Jan. 4. One of the women who benefitted from the scheme, Maritza Flores, 45, of Toms River, pleaded guilty to the same charge, as well as to tax evasion, Sellinger said. In exchange, Pizutelli had amorou…
Feds: Jersey Shore Dealer Convicted Of Selling Cocaine, Crack In Monmouth, Ocean Counties Feds: Jersey Shore Dealer Convicted Of Selling Cocaine, Crack In Monmouth, Ocean Counties
Feds: Jersey Shore Dealer Convicted Of Selling Cocaine, Crack In Monmouth, Ocean Counties An ex-con was convicted in federal court of selling cocaine and crack along the Jersey Shore, authorities said. Damion “Checks” Helmes, 42, of Cliffwood was the last of 20 defendants convicted of peddling the drug throughout Monmouth County and into Ocean County. Jurors in U.S. District Court in Trenton found Helmes guilty of various drug-dealing charges while acquitting him of two gun offenses following a two-week trial. Helmes had already done time following a drug and gun bust in Keansburg in 2004, records show. Initially busted by the locals, Helmes was charged federally by the FBI’s …
Toms River Native, Dedicated PA Dad Of 4 Jeremy Rawlins Dies, 35 Toms River Native, Dedicated PA Dad Of 4 Jeremy Rawlins Dies, 35
Toms River Native, Dedicated PA Dad Of 4 Jeremy Rawlins Dies, 35 Toms River native and dedicated Pennsylvania father of four Jeremy S. Rawlins died on Thursday, Oct. 6 at age 35. Born in Toms River, Jeremy lived in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania before settling in Lansford, where he lived at the time of his death, his obituary and social media pages say. Jeremy worked as a skilled automobile mechanic in the region and above all was a devoted father to his four children, Kaleb, Ayden, Izabella, and Briella, his memorial says. In addition to his children, Jeremy is survived by his father, Mark Rawlins, and his wife, Megan Rims, whom he married this April; step…
GUILTY: Jurors Convict Jersey Shore Porn Collector Who Threw Devices Into Creek To Avoid FBI GUILTY: Jurors Convict Jersey Shore Porn Collector Who Threw Devices Into Creek To Avoid FBI
Guilty: Jurors Convict Jersey Shore Porn Collector Who Threw Devices Into Creek To Avoid FBI A man who threw an iPad and iPhone containing child pornography into a Jersey Shore creek – only to have a drone help the FBI find them -- was convicted by federal jurors of several related charges. Charles F. Browne, 52, of South River, became a target of investigators after officials at Dropbox Inc. tipped them off, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. The FBI obtained the uploaded files, which included Browne’s resume along with images of prepubescent children being sexually abused, the U.S. attorney said. Investigators approached Browne in April 2019 as he left his then-home in…
Accused Police Imposters From Jersey Shore Charged In Botched Bergen County Kidnapping Accused Police Imposters From Jersey Shore Charged In Botched Bergen County Kidnapping
Accused Police Imposters From Jersey Shore Charged In Botched Bergen County Kidnapping It took over a year and a half, but relentless detective work aided by modern tech produced the arrests of two accused police imposters from the Jersey Shore who authorities said tried to abduct an East Rutherford man from outside his home. Anthony Naso of Seaside Heights, Nicholas Polimeni of Toms River and an unidentified accomplice were all wearing bogus police badges when they rushed the victim on Sept. 11, 2020, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The victim told police he'd just returned to his Lincoln Place home shortly before 10 p.m. when the trio “grabbed him on his stairca…
Directors Of Fallen Officers Charity Went To Disney, Pocketed $200,000, Jersey AG Charges Directors Of Fallen Officers Charity Went To Disney, Pocketed $200,000, Jersey AG Charges
Directors Of Fallen Officers Charity Went To Disney, Pocketed $200,000, Jersey AG Charges Operators of a Jersey Shore-based charity to benefit the families of law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty helped themselves instead, state authorities charged. The National Police Relief Association and several of its board members went to dinner and to Walt Disney World on the dimes of donors while directly pocketing more than $200,000, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said. Meanwhile, families of slain officers got a grand total of $14,000, he said. “It’s disgusting that people would raise money for fallen and injured law enforcement officers o…
Feds: Drug Ring Member From PA Who Trafficked Coke, Fentanyl-Laced Heroin Gets 16½ Years Feds: Drug Ring Member From PA Who Trafficked Coke, Fentanyl-Laced Heroin Gets 16½ Years
Feds: Drug Ring Member From PA Who Trafficked Coke, Fentanyl-Laced Heroin Gets 16½ Years A Pennsylvania member of a drug ring that trafficked massive amounts of heroin and cocaine into New Jersey must spend more than 16 years in federal prison. Guy Jackson, 49, of Effort, PA must serve just about all of the 200-month sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. It was by far the stiffest term handed down so far in U.S. District Court in Trenton following a sweep led by federal investigators. Members of the network funneled heroin and cocaine into the area of Monmouth and Middlesex counties known as the Raritan Bayshore. It stretches from the Amboys to Sandy…
Pennsylvania Woman, 34, Struck, Killed After Climbing Over Traffic Barrier On Jersey Shore Pennsylvania Woman, 34, Struck, Killed After Climbing Over Traffic Barrier On Jersey Shore
Pennsylvania Woman, 34, Struck, Killed After Climbing Over Traffic Barrier On Jersey Shore A 34-year-old Pennsylvania woman was struck and killed by a car after she tried climbing over a traffic barrier on the Jersey Shore Friday, authorities said. Ebony Shepherd, 34, of Johnstown, was hit while trying to cross Hooper Avenue near James Street at about 6 p.m. Friday, Toms River police said.  She was taken to Community Medical Center and airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick. Shepherd died of her injuries on Saturday afternoon, police said. The driver was not hurt. No charges were filed. The Ocean County Sheriff Department’s CSI Unit assisted at th…
Armed AutoZone Carjacking Ends With South Jersey Man's Arrest Armed AutoZone Carjacking Ends With South Jersey Man's Arrest
Armed AutoZone Carjacking Ends With South Jersey Man's Arrest An armed carjacking at an AutoZone store in Toms River ended with an arrest of a a 20-year-old man from Burlington County, authorities said. Devin Copley-Clevenger, of Lumberton, is accused of stealing the victim's car at gunpoint in the parking lot of Route 37 east, after the victim agreed to give someone a ride to AutoZone when their car broke down Friday around 4:10 p.m., local police said.  Once at Auto Zone, the victim’s acquaintance exited the car and walked toward the store. The passenger door opened moments later and another male entered the vehicle, brandishing a handgun&…
Feds: Jersey Shore Sex Offender Crashes Car With Guns, High-Capacity Mags, Wearing Body Armor Feds: Jersey Shore Sex Offender Crashes Car With Guns, High-Capacity Mags, Wearing Body Armor
Feds: Jersey Shore Sex Offender Crashes Car With Guns, High-Capacity Mags, Wearing Body Armor A convicted sex offender from Toms River who police said was wearing a tactical vest and carrying two guns and three high-capacity magazines when he crashed his car on Route 35 last month has been charged federally, authorities said. Jeremy W. Barringer, 46, also had an empty handgun holster on his hip when Mantoloking and Bay Head officers asked him to step out of the vehicle following the 3 a.m. single-vehicle crash on Oct. 24 near Herbert Street, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. In plain view on the backseat floorboard was a 5.56-millimeter semi-automatic rifle that turned out…
Where NJ, PA Rank On New List Of Safest States In America Where NJ, PA Rank On New List Of Safest States In America
Where NJ, PA Rank On New List Of Safest States In America A new Consumer Affairs report determined the safest states in the U.S., with New Jersey taking the top spot. Using data from the FBI and the U.S. Census Bureau, the website scored each state based on violent and property crime rates, the number of law enforcement officers per capita, and law enforcement budgets. The top 10 states were broken down by each state’s safest large city, safest medium-sized town, and safest small town, the website said. 1. New Jersey Safest small town: Mantoloking Safest midsize town: Matawan Safest large city: Toms River 2. New Hampshire 3. Rhode Island 4. M…
Jersey Shore Doc Admits Sexual Contact With Drug-Abusing Patient, Cuts Deal With State Jersey Shore Doc Admits Sexual Contact With Drug-Abusing Patient, Cuts Deal With State
Jersey Shore Doc Admits Sexual Contact With Drug-Abusing Patient, Cuts Deal With State A Monmouth County physician is having his license suspended for three years for "inappropriate sexual contact" with a substance-abusing patient for whom he also prescribed addictive drugs, state authorities said. Francis Rienzo, 60, of Sea Girt, is currently "winding down" his private practice as part of an agreement with the state through which he will avoid more serious consequences, they said. Rienzo, who also is the medical director for several treatment centers across New Jersey -- and a staff physician at Jersey Shore Addiction Services and Hackensack Meridian Health in Neptune -- "ad…
Prosecutor: Owner, Husband, Employees Busted In Raid On Bergen Pot 'Dispensary' Prosecutor: Owner, Husband, Employees Busted In Raid On Bergen Pot 'Dispensary'
Prosecutor: Owner, Husband, Employees Busted In Raid On Bergen Pot 'Dispensary' Authorities raided a DIY storefront pot dispensary in Bergen County that they said was operated by a local couple who sold marijuana and THC products to the general public without a license. Jaime Costanzo, who was listed as the owner/operator, and her husband, Michael Delmoral, both 40 of Wallington, were busted after detectives posing as customers bought pot and other items at THC JARZ on River Road in Garfield, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Monday afternoon. Also arrested were two store cashiers, he said. Detectives from Musella’s Narcotic Task Force, along with police from…
Planned Sex With 15-Year-Old Jersey Shore 'Boy' Gets Admitted Predator Three Years Behind Bars Planned Sex With 15-Year-Old Jersey Shore 'Boy' Gets Admitted Predator Three Years Behind Bars
Planned Sex With 15-Year-Old Jersey Shore 'Boy' Gets Admitted Predator Three Years Behind Bars A confessed predator who was busted when he showed up for what he thought would be sex with a 15-year-old boy at the Jersey Shore was sentenced to a plea-bargained three years in prison. Robert Lisicki, 51, of Metuchen didn’t realize the person he’d been communicating with on social media was actually an undercover detective, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said. Lisicki planned meeting the “boy” for sex, even discussing the things he’d planned do to, Bruck said. Detectives who were waiting arrested Lisicki when he arrived at the planned location in Toms River, the attorney general…