Tag:

Cape May County Prosecutor's Office

'Hope For Vilte': Charity Raising Money For Lithuanian Student Injured In Wildwood Shooting 'Hope For Vilte': Charity Raising Money For Lithuanian Student Injured In Wildwood Shooting
'Hope For Vilte': Charity Raising Money For Lithuanian Student Injured In Wildwood Shooting A Cape May County charity was rallying to support a Lithuanian college student who was critically injured in a shooting as an innocent bystander in Wildwood. The Lunch With Lynch Foundation created a GoFundMe page for 20-year-old Vilte Gruzdyte after she was shot outside Cattle 'n Clover on Pacific Avenue on Tuesday, July 9. A 40-year-old Wildwood man named William Hoyle was charged with several crimes including first-degree attempted murder. The GoFundMe page had raised more than $32,800 from at least 541 donations as of Monday, July 22. "Vilte was an innocent bystande…
Man Arrested For Critically Injuring Lithuanian Student In Wildwood Shooting: Prosecutors Man Arrested For Critically Injuring Lithuanian Student In Wildwood Shooting: Prosecutors
Man Arrested For Critically Injuring Lithuanian Student In Wildwood Shooting: Prosecutors A Wildwood man was accused of shooting and critically injuring a student from Lithuania who was an innocent bystander outside a bar, authorities said. William Hoyle, 40, was arrested, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a news release on Friday, July 12. He was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, and five gun-related charges. Wildwood police responded to the shooting outside Cattle 'n Clover on Pacific Avenue at around 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9. When officers arrived, they found a woman who had been shot in the h…
Mugshot Released Of Gunman Accused In Wildwood Shooting That Wounded Bystander (UPDATE) Mugshot Released Of Gunman Accused In Wildwood Shooting That Wounded Bystander (UPDATE)
Mugshot Released Of Gunman Accused In Wildwood Shooting That Wounded Bystander (Update) Police in Cape May County have released the mugshot for a man wanted in a shooting that critically injured an innocent bystander, authorities said. The Wildwood Police Department shared the mugshot for William C. Hoyle in a Facebook post at 2:56 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10. An arrest warrant was issued for Hoyle in the shooting on the 3800 block of Pacific Avenue at around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9. The Wildwood Police Department is asking the public to assist in locating a shooting suspect who has been identified as... Posted by City of Wildwood Police Depar…
Man Found Dead On Wildwood Crest Beach, Police Investigating Man Found Dead On Wildwood Crest Beach, Police Investigating
Man Found Dead On Wildwood Crest Beach, Police Investigating A man was found dead on a beach in Cape May County, authorities said. Wildwood Crest police responded to the beach near Myrtle Road at around 6:20 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, the department said in a news release. The 911 caller was performing CPR on the unconscious man when police arrived. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of his death was pending an autopsy. Police said there were no signs of foul play and there was no threat to the public. The death remained under investigation. The Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office and the Cape May County P…
Former Ocean City Lifeguard Sentenced After Sexual Misconduct Investigation Former Ocean City Lifeguard Sentenced After Sexual Misconduct Investigation
Former Ocean City Lifeguard Sentenced After Sexual Misconduct Investigation A former Ocean City lifeguard and Atlantic County teacher avoided jail time after he was accused of sexual misconduct, authorities said. Jonathan Howell, 42, of Marmora, was sentenced on Tuesday, June 18 to four years probation, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a news release. Howell was a member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol and a teacher in the Pleasantville School District. Investigators said social media posts in April 2021 made several accusations against members of Ocean City Beach Patrol, including Howell. "Since that time the prosecuto…
Teen Arrested In Stabbing On Ocean City Boardwalk Over Memorial Day Weekend Teen Arrested In Stabbing On Ocean City Boardwalk Over Memorial Day Weekend
Teen Arrested In Stabbing On Ocean City Boardwalk Over Memorial Day Weekend A teen was accused of a stabbing on the Ocean City Boardwalk that caused a chaotic scene on Memorial Day weekend, authorities said. The teen was arrested in Pleasantville on Tuesday, June 4, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a news release. Ocean City police said officers responded to a large fight between a group of teens on the 1000 block of the Boardwalk at around 9:12 p.m. on Saturday, May 25. A 15-year-old boy suffered lacerations and a stab wound to the stomach. The boy was treated at the scene by Ocean City firefighters and brought to AtlantiCa…
Ocean City Stabbing, Wildwood 'Civil Unrest' Cause Holiday Weekend Chaos: Police Ocean City Stabbing, Wildwood 'Civil Unrest' Cause Holiday Weekend Chaos: Police
Ocean City Stabbing, Wildwood 'Civil Unrest' Cause Holiday Weekend Chaos: Police A stabbing and "civil unrest" from younger people caused chaos over Memorial Day weekend in two Cape May County cities, authorities said. Large groups of teens and young adults were blamed for the nighttime incidents in Ocean City and Wildwood, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a news release on Monday, May 27. A heavy police response to both cities' issues prevented significant injuries to more people and property damage, according to Sutherland. Ocean City police said officers responded to a large fight on the 1000 block of the Boardwalk at around 9:12 p.m. on Saturday…
Lower Township Mother Charged In 2023 Death Of Baby Son: Prosecutors Lower Township Mother Charged In 2023 Death Of Baby Son: Prosecutors
Lower Township Mother Charged In 2023 Death Of Baby Son: Prosecutors A Cape May County mother was facing charges in the death of her six-month-old son, authorities said. Michelle Stanton, 29, of Lower Township, was charged with second-degree manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced her charges in a news release on Friday, May 10. Lower Township police found Stanton's son Christian Carty unconscious at her home on Wilde Avenue in the Villas section of the township on Sunday, June 25, 2023. The baby boy was rushed to Cape Regional Medical Center and he was pronounced d…
Four Men Caught During Child Sex Crime Investigation In Ocean City: Prosecutors Four Men Caught During Child Sex Crime Investigation In Ocean City: Prosecutors
Four Men Caught During Child Sex Crime Investigation In Ocean City: Prosecutors Four men were arrested in a police operation trying to stop child sex crimes in Cape May County, authorities said. The arrests were in a two-day operation in Ocean City called "Blank Space", Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced in a news release on Wednesday, May 8. Homeland Security Investigations and state police were among more than a dozen law enforcement agencies in the investigation. The men arrested were 66-year-old William Peraria of Somers Point, 37-year-old Jeffrey Dragon of Pitman, 34-year-old Marc Carroll of Voorhees, and 38-year-old Kristofer L…
Rare Louis Vuitton Trunk Among $300K In Merchandise Stolen In Robbery, Cape May Store Says Rare Louis Vuitton Trunk Among $300K In Merchandise Stolen In Robbery, Cape May Store Says
Rare Louis Vuitton Trunk Among $300K In Merchandise Stolen In Robbery, Cape May Store Says Thieves stole more than $300,000 of high-end handbags and other merchandise, a Cape May jewelry store said. Queen May posted surveillance video on Instagram showing two people breaking through a glass front door at around 2:59 a.m. on Sunday, May 5. The Washington Street store said a rare Louis Vuitton trunk with the name Jenny Hecht written on the side was among the stolen items. The store also said every bag has a serial number in a database with Entrupy, an authentication service for luxury accessories. "We are looking to the power of social media to catch these criminals," Qu…
Cape May Court House Man Distributed Child Pornography On Twitter: Prosecutors Cape May Court House Man Distributed Child Pornography On Twitter: Prosecutors
Cape May Court House Man Distributed Child Pornography On Twitter: Prosecutors A Middle Township man was accused of distributing child pornography on social media, authorities said. Xavier Figueroa Jr., 20, of Cape May Court House, was charged with second-degree manufacturing child pornography, second-degree distributing child pornography, and third-degree possession of child pornography. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced the charges in a news release on Monday, Apr. 29. A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said someone later identified as Figueroa was sharing child sexual abuse material on Twitter. Hom…
Fugitive Wanted In Lower Township Stabbing Arrested In Mississippi: Prosecutors Fugitive Wanted In Lower Township Stabbing Arrested In Mississippi: Prosecutors
Fugitive Wanted In Lower Township Stabbing Arrested In Mississippi: Prosecutors A Cape May County man wanted in a stabbing was caught in Mississippi nearly three weeks later, authorities said. Imani Goodman, 26, from the Villas section of Lower Township, was arrested in Wayne County, Mississippi, on Tuesday, Apr. 23. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced his arrest in a news release on Wednesday, Apr. 24.  Lower Township police responded to a home on Oregon Avenue where someone was stabbed several times on Wednesday, Apr. 3. The victim was rushed to Cape Regional Medical Center in Middle Township and was listed in critical but stab…
Cape May County Corrections Officer Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Under 13 Years Old Cape May County Corrections Officer Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Under 13 Years Old
Cape May County Corrections Officer Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Under 13 Years Old A Cape May County corrections officer was convicted of sexually assaulting a girl younger than 13 years old, authorities said. A jury found 34-year-old Jonathan Perez guilty on four charges on Friday, Apr. 12, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a news release. He was charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault of a minor, second-degree sexual assault, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The trial began on Monday, Mar. 18, more than a year after he was arrested. The girl reported the abuse "over an extended period of time" to st…
Rio Grande Man Given More Charges For 'Manufacturing' Child Pornography: Prosecutors Rio Grande Man Given More Charges For 'Manufacturing' Child Pornography: Prosecutors
Rio Grande Man Given More Charges For 'Manufacturing' Child Pornography: Prosecutors A Middle Township man was given more charges after investigators found he had more than 1,000 items of child pornography, authorities said. Javish Roman, 21, of Rio Grande, was additionally charged on Thursday, Mar. 21 with manufacturing child pornography, endangering the welfare of a child (possession of child pornography), and endangering the welfare of a child. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a news release. Roman was arrested on Thursday, Mar. 14. He was previously charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child (distribu…
Heroin, Fentanyl Dealer Arrested In Wildwood: Prosecutors Heroin, Fentanyl Dealer Arrested In Wildwood: Prosecutors
Heroin, Fentanyl Dealer Arrested In Wildwood: Prosecutors A Cape May County man was accused of selling heroin mixed with fentanyl, authorities said. Christian Ramos, 29, of Wildwood, was arrested on Friday, Mar. 15, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced in a news release. Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations helped police search Ramos, his vehicle, and several locations throughout Wildwood and Middle Township. Officers seized about 1,000 bags of heroin and $5,450 in cash. Laboratory analysis determined that previously seized heroin tested positive for fentanyl and xyl…
Rio Grande Man Shared Child Pornography Online: Prosecutors Rio Grande Man Shared Child Pornography Online: Prosecutors
Rio Grande Man Shared Child Pornography Online: Prosecutors A Middle Township man was accused of having child pornography and sharing it online, authorities said. Javish Roman, 21, of Rio Grande, was arrested on Thursday, Mar. 14, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a news release. The investigation started after a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators said Roman used a third-party app to distribute pictures and videos of child sexual abuse. Police executed a search warrant on his South Second Avenue home and recovered evidence that will be analyzed. Roman was charged with second-degree&…
Ocean City Fire Victim Identified, Authorities Say Ocean City Fire Victim Identified, Authorities Say
Ocean City Fire Victim Identified, Authorities Say A man killed in a house fire in Ocean City has been identified, authorities said. Ronald Reichenbach, 63, died in the fire at his home on the 1900 block of Asbury Avenue, according to an Ocean City spokesman. The blaze broke out at about 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13. The origin of the fire and the exact cause of death remain under investigation by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean City Police Department, the spokesman said.
Rio Grande Man Found With More Than 2,000 Heroin Bags: Prosecutors Rio Grande Man Found With More Than 2,000 Heroin Bags: Prosecutors
Rio Grande Man Found With More Than 2,000 Heroin Bags: Prosecutors A Cape May County man was charged after police found him with more than 2,000 bags of heroin, authorities announced. Kelvin Claudio, 35, of Rio Grande, was arrested on Friday, Feb. 23, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced in a news release. His arrest came after an investigation that included agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. Police executed a search warrant on Claudio and several locations throughout Middle Township. Officers seized about 2,100 bags of suspected heroin and $1,373 in cash. Suspected h…
SWAT Standoff: Wildwood Man Barricaded Himself In House With Family, Police Say SWAT Standoff: Wildwood Man Barricaded Himself In House With Family, Police Say
SWAT Standoff: Wildwood Man Barricaded Himself In House With Family, Police Say A Cape May County man was arrested after barricading himself in a house with his family and threatening police in an hours-long standoff, authorities said. Rakesh Patel, 47, of Wildwood, was charged with three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree resisting arrest, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree obstruction of justice. The Wildwood Police Department announced the charges in a news release on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Officers respon…
Woodbine Man Found With Child Pornography: Prosecutors Woodbine Man Found With Child Pornography: Prosecutors
Woodbine Man Found With Child Pornography: Prosecutors A Cape May County man was arrested after he was found with child pornography, authorities said. Charles Chapman, 31, of Woodbine, is charged with third-degree possession of child pornography, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced on Friday, Feb. 2.  The investigation began after an online tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said that Chapman had pictures of child sexual abuse on his cloud account. Investigators from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, state police, and the county prosecutor's office executed a search warrant at Chapm…
Child Found In 'Deplorable' Home, Woodbine Pair In Custody: Authorities Child Found In 'Deplorable' Home, Woodbine Pair In Custody: Authorities
Child Found In 'Deplorable' Home, Woodbine Pair In Custody: Authorities A man and woman from Woodbine are facing charges after authorities found a child in their care living in "deplorable conditions," officials said. Wanda Storms, 64, and Kevin Storms, 35, are each charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced the charges on Tuesday, Jan. 23. State troopers made the horrifying discovery at the Marcellaro Road home while performing a welfare check on Sunday, Jan. 21, they said. Storms were arrested and released on a summons.  Sutherland said the investigation is ongoing and pol…
Horrifying Details Released In Wildwood Child Abuse Case: 'I Don't Play These Games' Horrifying Details Released In Wildwood Child Abuse Case: 'I Don't Play These Games'
Horrifying Details Released In Wildwood Child Abuse Case: 'I Don't Play These Games' Horrifying new details have come to light in a Wildwood child abuse case in police paperwork obtained by Daily Voice. Calvin Crawley Sr., 33, who was arrested on Monday, Jan. 15, on accusations, after an 11-year-old boy told his mom that he hit him with a black leather belt "15 to 20 times" after the boy argued with his younger brother, according to the affidavit for probable cause. The boy's mother told Middle Township police on Sunday, Jan. 14 that Crawley Sr. called her and said, "I just beat the sh-t out of [the boy]. I don't play these games," police documents show. Investig…
Wildwood Man Accused Of Abusing Child: Prosecutor Wildwood Man Accused Of Abusing Child: Prosecutor
Wildwood Man Accused Of Abusing Child: Prosecutor A Wildwood man is accused of physically abusing a child, authorities said. Middle Township police received a report about the abuse accusation on Sunday, Jan. 14, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced.  After a joint investigation by the special victims unit for the prosecutor's office and township police, 33-year-old Calvin Crawley Sr. was arrested on Monday, Jan. 15. Crawley Sr. was charged with third-degree aggravated assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree possession of a weapon, and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unla…
Wildwood Man Sexually Assaults Girl: Prosecutor Wildwood Man Sexually Assaults Girl: Prosecutor
Wildwood Man Sexually Assaults Girl: Prosecutor A Wildwood man is accused of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13, authorities said. Wildwood police and the special victims unit for the county prosecutor's office opened an investigation on Friday, Jan. 12 into a child sexual assault claim against 27-year-old Jose Lopez-Ortiz, Cape May County prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced.  Lopez-Ortiz was arrested on Saturday, Jan. 13, and is being held at Cape May County Correctional Center. An arrest report said the girl told investigators she had been sexually assaulted several times in the last few months. The girl…
Ocean City Man Laid Naked On Headless Mom's Body After Killing Her: Police Docs Ocean City Man Laid Naked On Headless Mom's Body After Killing Her: Police Docs
Ocean City Man Laid Naked On Headless Mom's Body After Killing Her: Police Docs A 46-year-old New Jersey man accused killing his mom was found lying on her headless body, in the nude, when police arrived to the gruesome scene last week, according to police paperwork. ** WARNING: This news article contains graphic details ** Jeffrey Surgent called the Ocean City Police Department saying he suffers from bipolar and he just killed his mom, Alexandri Surgent, just before 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said. Officers arriving at Surgent’s home on the 600 block of 6th Street in Ocean City, found him "nude in the hallway, lying on t…
Man Kills Mom In Ocean City: Prosecutor Man Kills Mom In Ocean City: Prosecutor
Man Kills Mom In Ocean City: Prosecutor A 46-year-old man is accused killing his mom in Cape May County, authorities said. Jeffrey Surgent called the Ocean City Police Department saying he suffers from mental illness and he just killed his mom just before 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said. Officers responded to Surgent’s home in the 600 block of 6th Street in Ocean City, and found the body of his 74-year-old mother, Sutherland said. Surgent was arrested without incident. The killing is being investigated by the Ocean City Police Department Detective Bureau, Cape May County Prosecutor’…
Ecstasy Pills Intercepted At JFK Airport Led To Arrest Of Pair In South Jersey: Prosecutor Ecstasy Pills Intercepted At JFK Airport Led To Arrest Of Pair In South Jersey: Prosecutor
Ecstasy Pills Intercepted At JFK Airport Led To Arrest Of Pair In South Jersey: Prosecutor A pair of men from North Cape May have been arrested for dealing ecstasy, authorities said. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief Kevin Lewis of the Lower Township Police Department announced the arrests of Jacob Groff, 31, and Craig Needles, 67, on Wednesday, Oct. 25. The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force received information from the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlantic City Office that Customs and Border Patrol agents at John F. Kennedy Airport intercepted a package originating from the Netherlands…
Wildwood Stabbing Suspect At Large After SWAT Response: Police Wildwood Stabbing Suspect At Large After SWAT Response: Police
Wildwood Stabbing Suspect At Large After SWAT Response: Police A Wildwood stabbing suspect remains at large following a SWAT response earlier this week. On Sunday, Sept. 10, at approximately 8:55 p.m., Wildwood police responded to a residence at 100 West Poplar Avenue for a female victim who was stabbed, Wildwood police said. Police found the victim approximately two blocks away with multiple puncture wounds to her upper body, they said. Wildwood Rescue immediately performed life-saving measures and transported the victim to Atlantic City Medical Center due to the seriousness of her injuries. During the preliminary investigation, additional informatio…
Cape May County Phone Scammers Claimed They Were From Amazon, DEA: Prosecutor Cape May County Phone Scammers Claimed They Were From Amazon, DEA: Prosecutor
Cape May County Phone Scammers Claimed They Were From Amazon, DEA: Prosecutor Two people have been arrested in connection with a phone scam, authorities said. On Aug. 29, the victim in this investigation received a call from a subject claiming to be from Amazon Customer Service, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, This individual claimed that they were calling because of an issue with a purchase and the victim’s identity was stolen. The victim was subsequently transferred to another individual claiming to be from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The victim was then told that there were multiple bank a…
DWI Driver, 21, Leaves West Wildwood Pedestrian Critical In Middle Township Hit-Run: Police DWI Driver, 21, Leaves West Wildwood Pedestrian Critical In Middle Township Hit-Run: Police
DWI Driver, 21, Leaves West Wildwood Pedestrian Critical In Middle Township Hit-Run: Police A 21-year-old Wildwood Crest man is facing multiple charges after a hit-and-run crash that left a 48-year-old pedestrian critical, police said. Elijah Bethel is believed to have struck the West Wildwood woman at the intersection of Route 47 and 5th Street in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township around 1:50 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, Middle Township police said. Then, he fled the scene in a Nissan Altima, police said. Bethel was later found and arrested for Driving while Intoxicated, Assault by Auto, Knowingly Leaving a Motor Vehicle Accident with Serious Bodily Injury and was issued…
Motorcyclist, 24, Killed In Middle Township Crash Motorcyclist, 24, Killed In Middle Township Crash
Motorcyclist, 24, Killed In Middle Township Crash A 26-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a crash in South Jersey, authorities said. On Saturday, Aug. 26, at 1:56 a.m., Middle Township Police responded to Route 9 and Church Street in the Rio Grande section of the township for a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle that struck a sport utility vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found the motorcycle was occupied by a driver and a passenger.  The driver of the motorcycle, a 24-year-old male of North Cape May was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The passenger, a 23-year-old female also of North Cape May was transported to C…