Day: November 2, 2023

Barnegat, Ocean County

Man Charged In Killing Both Parents in Barnegat Township

November 2, 2023

BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Barnegat Township Police Chief Keith A. Germain announced that on November 2, 2023, Michael Mulgrew, 34, of Barnegat, was charged with two counts of Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, in connection with the stabbing deaths of his parents, Eugene Mulgrew, 71, and Cheryl Mulgrew, 69, both of Barnegat.

On November 2, 2023, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Officers from the Barnegat Township Police Department were summoned to a residence on Lincoln Avenue to assist medical personnel with performing a mobile outreach at the residence. As the Officers approached the residence, they observed a male walking away. Upon their arrival, Officers noticed red staining – which appeared to be blood – on the front door of the residence. The Officers made entry, and found blood in various areas of the home. As the Officers entered the bedroom, they located the deceased bodies of two victims with apparent stab wounds to their upper torsos. The victims were later identified as Eugene and Cheryl Mulgrew. The Officers also observed a knife in the vicinity of the bedroom.

The male initially observed walking away from the residence was observed in the area of West Bay Boulevard and Gunning River Road by Barnegat Township Police Officers. That individual, later identified as Michael Mulgrew, was taken into custody without incident.

An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Michael Mulgrew was responsible for the murders of his mother and father. Mulgrew was charged accordingly and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Germain acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department, Barnegat Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Michael Mulgrew’s swift apprehension.

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).

Lakewood, Ocean County

Fatal Fire In Lakewood, NJ, Caused by Release of Natural Gas to an Open Flame

November 2, 2023

LAKEWOOD, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on November 1, 2023, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department were summoned to the Lakewood Housing Authority on Sampson Avenue for a report of an explosion that developed into a structure fire.  Responding Officers observed a male victim, later identified as Ronald Prichard, 67, the sole occupant of the housing unit, to be suffering from serious injuries.  Mr. Prichard was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, in Lakewood, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A thorough and extensive investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Lakewood Police Department Township Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that the origin of the explosion was in the bedroom of the housing unit, and the cause of the explosion was the release of natural gas to an open flame.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective assistance in connection with this investigation.

Beachwood, Jackson, Ocean County

Additional Charges for Jackson Township Teacher: Possession of Child Pornography and Endangering Welfare of a Child

November 2, 2023

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on November 1, 2023, Andrew Fantasia, 27, of Beachwood, was charged with Possession of Child Pornography and an additional count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  Fantasia had previously been charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, and Official Misconduct, on October 25, 2023.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Jackson Township Police Department determined that between February 2023 and June 2023, Fantasia – while employed in his official capacity as a teacher at Carl W. Goetz Middle School and club advisor at Jackson Memorial High School – had inappropriate sexual contact with a student on high school property.  The investigation further revealed that Fantasia requested nude photos from the victim.

On October 25, 2023, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit, Jackson Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, executed a court-authorized search warrant at Fantasia’s residence; as a result, Detectives seized multiple electronic devices in Fantasia’s possession.  Fantasia was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

A full forensic analysis of Fantasia’s electronic devices, conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, revealed nude images of the victim on Fantasia’s cellular phone.  On November 1, 2023, Fantasia was served with the additional charges as noted above by way of warrant at the Ocean County Jail.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, 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).

Barnegat, Ocean County

Double Homicide Under Investigation in Barnegat Township

November 2, 2023

BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Barnegat Township Police Chief Keith A. Germain announced that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating a double homicide that occurred on Lincoln Avenue in Barnegat Township. 

“The suspect is in custody and there is no danger to the public to the public at this time,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.  “Additional information will be released when it becomes available,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.

Ocean County, Plumsted

Fatal Fire In Plumsted Township Ruled Accidental

November 2, 2023

PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on November 1, 2023, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a mobile home fire was reported on Lakewood Road in Plumsted Township.  Upon arrival, emergency service personnel observed heavy smoke emanating from the mobile home, with a male victim outside the residence and another victim still trapped inside.  The male victim, later identified as the homeowner, Paul Hakos, 79, was transported to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold for treatment of his injuries.  He is listed in stable condition.  Firefighters located the body of a female victim, later identified as Catherine Hakos, 63, in the back bedroom of the residence.  Ms. Hakos was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

A thorough and extensive investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office-Arson Squad, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Plumsted Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Plumsted Township Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, has revealed that the fire originated underneath the structure, and that a failure of energized electrical equipment could not be eliminated as the cause.  The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office-Arson Squad, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Plumsted Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Plumsted Township Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and cooperative assistance in connection with this investigation.

Lawrence, Mercer County, Trenton

Trenton Man Charged with Fatal Shooting in Lawrence Township

November 2, 2023

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and Lawrence Township Police Chief Christopher Longo announced today that an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Lawrence Township Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a Trenton man for the shooting death of Anthony Irizarry.

Paul X. McNeil, 37, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of first-degree robbery, and three weapons offenses.  He was served his charges this week at the Mercer County Correction Center where he is being detained on an unrelated case.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. on August 11, 2023, Lawrence police responded to a residence on Mendrey Court after receiving a 911 phone call that someone had been shot.  Upon arrival, officers located 36-year-old Irizarry in the living room suffering from a gunshot wound to the back.  He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Chris Pullen at (609) 989-6406 or OIC William Jett at (609) 331-5010.  Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Man Shot And Killed In His Home In Lawrence Township

Paul X. McNeil, 37, of Trenton, NJ, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of first-degree robbery, and three weapons offenses.  He was served his charges this week at the Mercer County Correction Center where he is being detained on an unrelated case.