Day: February 15, 2024

Howell, Millstone, Monmouth County

19-Year-Old Millstone Township Man Arrested for Howell Armed Robbery

February 15, 2024

FREEHOLD – A 19-year-old male has been criminally charged after robbing a Howell resident at gunpoint during a merchandise transaction¸ Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Thursday.

Giancarlo Nevarez, of the Clarksburg section of Millstone, has been charged with first-degree Armed Robbery, second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.

On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at approximately 3:06 p.m., the Howell Township Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a shot-fired incident in the area of the 4200 block of Route 9 southbound in Howell Township.

A subsequent investigation by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and the Howell Township Police Department revealed that a male victim reported that he had contacted Nevarez through a social media platform to sell him a couple of pairs of high-end sneakers. Upon their meeting, Nevarez was shown the sneakers and then he presented a firearm, fired one shot and left with the merchandise. No one was struck and there were no injuries as a result of the gunshot.

Prosecutor Santiago would like to remind the public that the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies have set up safe exchange zones to protect the safety of our residents and minimize the risk of someone becoming a victim of robbery through in-person transactions.   

Anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Thomas Manzo at 800-533-7443 or Howell Police Department Detective Ryan Jackson at 732-938-4111.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Cummings of the Major Crimes Bureau. Nevarez’s representation is unknown at this time.

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.

Monmouth County, Wall

Three Arrested Following Narcotics Distribution Investigation in Wall Township

February 15, 2024

WALL TOWNSHIP- On Thursday, February 15, 2024, members of the Wall Township Police Department and the New Jersey State Police arrested three people following a search warrant after a joint narcotics investigation.

On Thursday morning the New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit, New Jersey State Police Special Investigations Unit and the Wall Township Police Department Detective Bureau executed a search warrant in Sea Breeze Trailer Park on State Route 35. As a result of the investigation the following people were arrested and charged with the following:

• Kaliq Q. Walker (20) of Tinton Falls: Possession of Crack Cocaine (3rd Degree), Possession of Crack Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute (3rd Degree), Possession of Heroin (3rd Degree), Possession of Oxycodone (3rd Degree) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Disorderly Persons Offense).
• Nathanael W. Jones (42) of Wall Township: Possession of Crack Cocaine (3rd Degree), Possession of Buprenorphine Hydrochloride (3rd Degree), Possession of Heroin (3rd Degree) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• Alexis C. Evely (26) of Old Bridge: Possession of Heroin (3rd Degree), Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (3rd Degree), Possession of Crack Cocaine (3rd Degree), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Disorderly Persons Offense), Possession of Oxycodone (3rd Degree), Failure to Make Lawful Disposition of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Disorderly Persons Offense).

All the above subjects were transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution awaiting a detention hearing in court.

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 the trial rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and New Jersey State Law.

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County

St. Raphael School Board Holds Annual Golden Ticket Event to Support St. Raphael School

February 15, 2024

HAMILTON, NJ (MERCER) — On Saturday, February 10th, St. Raphael School Board held its annual Golden Ticket event to benefit St. Raphael School. About 200 parish and community members gathered to honor the St. Raphael Holy Angels ushers and the Hollendonner family with an evening of dinner, dancing, and celebration. The event committee includes members of St. Raphael Holy Angels Parish, school board and PTA members, and is chaired by Lori Danko as a member of the St. Raphael School board. ”I am thrilled that the community is keeping the Catholic school spirit alive,” Danko said. This year Danko and her committee raised over $13,000.

Father Gene Daguplo reported, “I’m pleased to announce that in just three short years, our Golden Ticket Committee has raised over $50,000 for St. Raphael School by hosting annual receptions honoring members of our parish community. These events have served as both a celebration of all the great things that St. Raphael Holy Angels Parish accomplishes throughout the community, as well as a financial benefit to grow our academic and enrichment offerings in our school.” St. Raphael School is now one of the fastest growing schools in the Diocese of Trenton, and just achieved number one in improving student STAR testing scores in the diocese. Joseph Slavin, longtime Hamilton Township School district educator and current principal of St. Raphael School said, “What a great evening!!! Once again the Golden Ticket
event shows why St. Raphael is the best. The dedication, kindness and love shown by our Catholic school and our community is evident everyday.”

The Golden Ticket event is held annually and is being planned for February 2025.

Jackson, Lakewood, Ocean County

Jackson Township Man Charged with Narcotics Distribution and Weapons Offences

February 15, 2024

LAKEWOOD, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Jackson Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team, Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, New Jersey State Police Drug Trafficking Central Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, to conduct a two month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County.  This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified Justin Love, 25, of Jackson Township, as being involved in the distribution of crack cocaine in Ocean County.

In December 2023, Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies established stationary and mobile surveillance on Love.  Detectives were able to determine that Love was utilizing a residence on Deer Path in Lakewood to store and distribute crack cocaine.  On February 14, 2024, the Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team executed a court-authorized search warrant on the subject residence and Love’s motor vehicle.  As a result, Detectives seized approximately 15 grams of crack cocaine, a semi-automatic handgun, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $5,000 in United States Currency.  A search of Love’s motor vehicle resulted in the seizure of an additional quantity of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and United States currency.  Love was taken into custody at the residence without incident.

Justin Love was charged with Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Oxycodone Without a Valid Prescription, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, and Possession of a Weapon During a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense.  Love is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, Jackson Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team, Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, New Jersey State Police Drug Trafficking Central Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, for their combined and 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).