SPOTSWOOD, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Phillip Corbisiero of the Spotswood Police Department announced today that they are investigating a drowning of a one-year-old male.
Today, August 9, 2023, at approximately 11:22 A.M., Spotswood Police Department received a 911 call reporting that a child was found in the pool and wasn’t breathing. Upon their arrival authorities performed CPR on the one-year-old and transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lieutenant Edward Shapley of the Spotswood Police Department at 732-251-2121 or Detective Javier Morillo of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732 745-8843.
JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew Kunz announced that on August 4, 2023, a 17-year-old juvenile from Seaside Heights was charged with Theft of Moveable Property, Eluding, Obstruction, and Resisting Arrest by Means of Flight.
On August 3, 2023, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the area of Imperial Place for a report of two stolen motor vehicles. At approximately 11:00 p.m., Jackson Township Police Officers observed the stolen vehicles traveling northwest on Leesville Road at the intersection of Freehold Road. Officers attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop as the vehicles attempted to flee. A few seconds later, one of the stolen vehicles operated by the 17-year-old juvenile lost control and crashed into a tree – bursting into flames. Following the crash, the juvenile attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended. The juvenile was taken into custody and is presently detained in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Kunz commend the Jackson Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
MANCHESTER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that the Toms River man previously charged in connection with a fatal crash that occurred in Manchester Township on August 3, 2023, and believed to be 22 years-old – is actually a juvenile.
“At the time of the fatal crash, the young man presented identification indicating he was 22-years-old. Further investigation revealed that he provided false identification to the police and that he was actually 17-years-old. The juvenile has been charged with Vehicular Homicide, Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death, being an Unlicensed Driver Involved in a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death. As a result of providing false identification to the police, the juvenile has also been charged with Hindering Apprehension by Giving False Information to Law Enforcement, all in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Manchester Township on August 3, 2023,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
On August 3, 2023, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department were summoned to the area of 1881 Route 37 for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash. Responding Officers determined that a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle and a 2005 Nissan Murano were involved in a crash, and that the driver of the Nissan Murano had fled the scene. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Manchester Township Police Department revealed that the Yamaha motorcycle was being driven by Jeffrey Schlinger, 23, of Toms River, and was traveling eastbound on Route 37. The Nissan Murano, operated by the juvenile, pulled out onto Route 37 – failing to yield to the motorcycle. The motorcycle was unable to avoid a collision and struck the rear passenger side door of the Nissan Murano. As a result, Mr. Schlinger suffered serious injuries. He was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he ultimately succumbed to those injuries.
Further investigation revealed that after the crash, the juvenile continued eastbound on Route 37 until his vehicle became inoperable. The juvenile then exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. He was ultimately located by Manchester Township Police Officers. Once apprehended, the juvenile gave false information to the Officers as to his identity. The juvenile is being detained in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Department of Corrections, for their collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
FREEHOLD – A local man has been charged with stealing more than a quarter of a million dollars from his former employer over the course of a little more than a year, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Wednesday.
Mark A. Cocciardi, Jr., 46, of Ocean Township is charged with second-degree Theft by Deception.
The charge marks the result of an investigation by members of the MCPO Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau. Leveraging review of a variety of business and financial records, the investigation revealed that at various times from August 2021 into October 2022, while employed as a sales manager at a construction supply company in Asbury Park, Cocciardi used sales receipts to process fictitious returns of building materials that customers had previously purchased. He then issued himself credit for the materials on his personal credit cards – just short of $268,800 in all.
Cocciardi was arrested without incident yesterday and served with a summons complaint pending future proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court. This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Nelsen, Director of the Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau. Information about Cocciardi’s legal representation was not immediately available.
Anyone with information about this or related matters is urged to contact MCPO Detective Bob Afanasewicz at 800-533-7443.
Convictions on second-degree criminal charges are commonly punishable by up to 10 years in state prison.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
You must be logged in to post a comment.