Monmouth County News

Howell Wins Shore Conference Wrestling Tournament

JACKSON-The Howell Rebels defeated Raritan 36-24 in the 2017 Shore Conference Tournament championship held at Jackson Liberty High School on Saturday.  Howell is 21-1 on the season.

Luke Rada, Darby Diedrich, Kyle Slendorn, Xavier Kelly, Christian Murphy, Shane Reitsma, Eric Keosseian and Jake Nash all had victories in the championship meet.

Man Held on Immigration Detainer After Trying to Lure Young Girls Walking Home From School

LONG BRANCH-On January 25th, at approximately 3pm, the Long Branch Police received a call of a possible kidnapping near Prospect Street and Bath Ave. While officers were enroute to this call, another call came in from the same area concerning the robbery of a cell phone. SGT Robert Bell immediately responded to the area and was able to detain a subject who fit the description of the accused in both incidents. Officers Gary Vecchione, Daniel Richards and Hector Umana arrived shortly thereafter, and were able to ascertain that 3 separate incidents had occurred, all involving girls aged 12-14 that had either just exited the school bus or were walking home from school.

The accused, later identified as Daniel Omar Mejia-Reyes, approached the girls separately, but all within a few minutes of each other. In the first two incidents, he forcibly robbed the victims of their cell phones. In the last case he picked up the young victim and attempted to remove her from the area. In the first two cases, the bus driver and bus aide saw the robberies and came to the victim’s aid, and ushered the victims back onto the bus. In the last case, the victim was walking home from school, and she attempted to fight off her attacker, and was helped by another classmate.

Detectives arrived at the scene at the same time. Detective Jake Pascucci became the lead investigator and he was assisted by Detective SGT Brendan Cahill, Romano, O’Brien, Spitale and Kennedy. They were able to arrest Daniel Omar Mejia-Reyes, 27 years old, 383 Bath Avenue, and he was charged with 2 counts of Robbery, Criminal Restraint, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact and Sexual Assault. He was remanded to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution with no bail and additionally held on an Immigration detainer.

The quick response time and actions by both the Patrol Division and the Detective Bureau, working together, brought this incident to a quick conclusion, ending in the arrest of the accused. Everyone involved, including the bus aide driver and student, should be commended. If anyone has any further information please contact DET Jake Pascucci at 732-222-1000.

Dental Office Welcomed to Brick Plaza

Brick Mayor John Ducey this week welcomed Amara Dental to the Brick Plaza.  Amara also has locations in Howell, Cherry Hill and Toms River.

https://twitter.com/MayorDucey/status/822568476275593218

Roof ripped off building in Long Branch

Long Branch Fire Depart reported: Tour 4 clearing up from the scene of storm damage to a beachfront building. The buildings roof membrane separated from the structure. No injuries were reported. Photo: James Quinn.

Nasty nor'easter bearing down on N.J. with heavy rain, damaging winds, snow, ice

If you thought Monday was going to be an ordinary start to the work week, think again. A nasty nor’easter is heading in our direction and is expected to strengthen during the late morning and afternoon, unleashing batches of heavy rain that could flood streets across New Jersey, and wind gusts as strong as 50 to…

Man Arrested for Neptune Machete Attack

NEPTUNE-The Neptune Township Police Department responded to the 1100 Block of Heck Ave. at 8:28 pm on 1/19/17 for a reported large fight involving approximately 20 people. Police arrived on scene and were unable to locate any actors. At the same time, two adult males arrived at Jersey Shore University Medical Center with serious but non-life threatening wounds. It was discovered by police that the wounds were a result of the fight at the aforementioned location by a subject who wielded a machete. The first victim was stabbed in the leg and back, while the second subject suffered a large avulsion to the upper arm. Both victims remained at the JSUMC in stable condition.

Through further investigation, Neptune Township Police identified the accused as Nico Durant, 18 years old of Neptune.

At approximately 2:00 am, Neptune Township Police Officer Lay located Durant operating a vehicle on W. Lake Ave. Durant was taken into custody at that time.

Howell Republican Club Swears in 2017 Executive Board

“United Republican Club of Howell” new executive board members get sworn into office by Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon. Tommy Russo (President) Billy Stahnten (Vice President) Carol Chirico (Rec Sec) Rich Mertens (Treasurer) Irene Boyle (Corr Sec) Tommy Campagna (Sergeant at Arms) Congratulations to them all. Other elected officials in attendance were Sen. Bob Singer, Assm. Dave Rible, Sheriff Shaun Golden, Frhldr. Tom Arnone, Dep. Mayor Rob Nicastro and Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell.

Gates Removed at Fort Monmouth; Route 537 through former base opens to traffic

The front gates which have been closed at Fort Monmouth since September of 2011 are opening again today.  Route 537 through the base will be open for public traffic at noon. The plan is part of an overall project to repurpose now defunct U.S. Army base.

Route 537 which connected Fort Monmouth from the Eatontown gate to Camden is the state’s third longest county road.

 

Foster Rescue Saves Pregnant Dog From Kill Shelter; Broadcasts Birth Live on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/itsaruffliferescue/videos/633732776813051/

When It’s a Ruff Life Rescue, a dog fostering network in New Jersey which has many canine foster homes in Ocean County found out about Little Miss Sunshine waiting on death row at a North Carolina kill shelter, the group sprung into action.

Little did they know just last week, that the dog they rescued was pregnant.  They also didn’t know until she was taken in for x-rays that she had been used as target practice in North Carolina. Doctors found several bb’s lodged under her skin.

After asking for donations, the community responded and food, toys, training pads and other items started pouring in.  There were also supplies for the babies.

Within a few days, a foster home was found for Little Miss Sunshine.   Then, she gave birth to her puppies which was broadcast live on Facebook.  Over 50,000 people watched the birth live.

Now named Abigail, she birthed 8 puppies, one did not make it.  She gave birth to 6 boys and 2 girls.

If you would like to get involved and help, visit It’s A Ruff Life’s Facebook page.

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Welcomes New K-9 Unit

by Andrew Kudrick, Chief, Howell PD

HOWELL-Congratulations to Patrolman Jesse Moore #617 and his partner Opus on becoming a certified Police K-9 Patrol Team.

For the past 16 weeks, he and his partner were trained by Long Branch Police Sgt. Bobby Shamrock in obedience, tracking, building searches, agility, articles, building/area searches and criminal apprehension and handler protection. This is a tough, extensive training and certification obtained by very few officers.

A sincere thank you to Sgt Shamrock and Long Branch Police Director Jason Roebuck. You did an outstanding job!

Congratulations to Long Branch K9 Officer Omar Akel and his partner Hades who also graduated. Stay safe!!!

Monmouth County is now safer for both residents and the officers. It’s also more dangerous for the criminals!

Next up, 12 weeks of scent training to become certified in narcotics detection.

I’m very proud of Officer Moore. As a former K9 handler, I realize the inherent dedication and commitment and responsibility required to be a handler. I wish you a very safe tour. It will be the most rewarding years of your career. No doubt, you will proudly and honorably represent the Howell Police as well as the small police K9 community.

Bamboozled: Employee says A.J. Perri scammed a senior. Here's what happened next.

Consumers are often at the mercy of specialists: contractors, electricians, plumbers and the like. Unless you’re super handy, you rely on them to diagnose and fix problems in your home. Even if you get multiple estimates, how do you know they’re not misrepresenting a situation to make a small job into a bigger, more expensive one?…

Ocean County Drug Deaths Soared by 43% in 2016

Despite best efforts to combat the drug epidemic that plagues Ocean County, drug overdoses soared in 2016 to 205 possible cases by the end of the year.   According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, there were 195 confirmed deaths caused by drug overdoses with 10 additional cases pending autopsy reports.

In 2015, there were 118 deaths linked to drug overdoses, representing a 43% spike in deaths.

Those numbers could have been much higher.   In 2016, the Prosecutor’s Office said the opiate reversing drug Narcan was used in 502 cases countywide by local law enforcement agencies and first responders.

In neighboring Monmouth County, 154 died from drug overdoses in 2016, a spike of 32 over the 2015’s total of 122, a jump of nearly 21%.  There were 415 deployments of Narcan in the county.

 

Jackson, Howell Firefighters Fight the Elements, Truck Fire on 195

On Saturday morning, firefighters from Jackson’s Station 54 and Howell’s Freewood Acres and Southard Fire Department No. 1 braved the elements to put out a truck fire on Interstate 195 near the Howell-Jackson border.  Photo by Freewood Acres Fire Departmetn.

 

Christian Brothers gets back to winning wins in victory over Hackettstown

RANDOLPH–After losing a tight game to Toms River North on Saturday, Christian Brothers wanted to jump on Hackettstown early when the two faced off in the Hoops to Help Showcase at the County College of Morris on Sunday. That is exactly what CBA did. It took a nine point first quarter lead and never trailed on…

Monmouth man charged with attempted murder of Eatontown cops in court today

by Charles Webster, MCPO

FREEHOLD-An Eatontown man charged with the attempted murder of Eatontown police officers, during an armed robbery last month will have a first appearance in court today, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Aaron Riley, 31 of Wedgewood Circle in Eatontown, is charged with two counts of first degree Attempted Murder, and one count each of first degree Armed Robbery, second degree Certain Persons not to have a Weapon and second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose after Riley fired at Eatontown police officers, one of whom returned fired during an armed robbery in progress on December 20, 2016.

Eatontown police responded to a pair of 911 calls around 6:43 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2016, reporting an armed robbery in progress at the AllTown Pharmacy on Wyckoff Road.  While the officers were responding, Riley was inside the pharmacy demanding prescription narcotics from an employee.  Eatontown police arrived on scene with the suspect inside the pharmacy, but he soon after fled the scene out a rear door without any narcotics.

While Riley was fleeing the scene on foot, he fired at Eatontown police officers, one of whom returned fired.  Riley then ran to a vehicle in the Michael’s Plaza parking lot and was seen fleeing the scene on Route 36 West.  During the investigation, police located the vehicle, a gray four-door 2007 Nissan Altima in the rear parking lot of Stony Hill Apartments with damage consistent with projectile strikes from a gun.

Monmouth County detectives subsequently received information from the New York Police Department that Riley was in their jurisdiction with a gunshot injury to his leg. The investigation continued in New York City, where Riley was eventually taken into custody by New York City police officers and where he currently remains in custody.   Bail was set at $1.45 million with no 10 percent and Riley was also ordered to have no victim contact and not to return to the scene by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge David F. Bauman, P.J.Cr.

Riley’s first appearance is scheduled for 12:00 p.m., January 6, 2017, before Judge Bauman.

Family of Missing New Jersey Teen: We're at a loss

NEPTUNE — It’s been four weeks since the disappearance of a Neptune City teen after her car was found unoccupied on a Belmar bridge on Dec. 2. Sarah Stern, 19, left her family’s home in Neptune City at 11:45 p.m. driving her grandmother’s 1994 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Royal, according to her father Michael Stern. The car was…

Jackson K-9 Valor Charity Helps Fire Department After Thief Stole Christmas Tree Funds

by Phil Stilton

SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS-This weekend, a thief walked off with $1,000 of Christmas Tree sales raised through a tree sale fundraiser by the Independent Fire Company.  Today, there has been an outpouring of support all along the Jersey Shore for the firefighters.

“We have been the victim of a real life grinch,” the fire company said Saturday morning when they found out their cash register had been stolen.

This morning, Sue DesMarais and Jennifer Gallagher visited the Independent Fire Company and donated $500 to them from money the charity raised last month at a Jackson Township fundraiser held at Cornerstone Kitchen and Tap.

DesMarais is a former police officer and has been the victim of two home fires said she read the story and felt compelled to make the donation.

” I read that the someone stole $1000.00 dollars from the Independent Fire Company in Spring Lakes Christmas Tree Fundraiser. So Jennifer Gallagher and I went down there with a $500.00 donation from K-9 Valor Task Force.”

She said she was interviewed by Channel 7 News, New York and spoke about her own ordeal where firefighters rescued her pets from her burning home in Jackson.

“I’m sorry this happened, I like to pay things forward,” she said.

“Any donations can be either mailed to Independent Fire Co #1 at 700 6th Ave, spring lake heights NJ 07762. Or can be directly dropped off at our station,” the department said to those who have offered support on their Facebook page.

N.J. cop was subject of internal investigation before fatal crash, police say

DEAL — In light of a toxicology report that shows one of their captains was impaired by drugs and alcohol when he fatally crashed his car in January, Deal police said Friday they are investigating the circumstances leading up to the death of the off-duty officer, who was the subject of an internal affairs investigation. The…