July 4, 2024
FREEHOLD – A former teacher at Wall Township High School has been arrested and criminally charged with having a sexual relationship with a student, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran jointly announced Thursday.
Julie Rizzitello, 36, of Brick Township, who submitted her resignation earlier this week, is charged with two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault, third-degree Witness Tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact.
An investigation involving members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau and Wall Township Police Department, assisted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Brick Township Police Department, revealed that the alleged criminal conduct by Rizzitello began earlier this year. On multiple occasions and in at least three jurisdictions – Belmar, Brick, and Wall – Rizzitello allegedly engaged in various sexual acts with the victim.
The collaborative investigation resulted in charges being filed both in Monmouth (on the Belmar and Wall offenses) and Ocean (on the Brick offenses) counties. Rizzitello was arrested without incident yesterday and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI), where she remains incarcerated pending a detention hearing to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.
Anyone with information about Rizzitello’s activities is being urged to contact MCPO Detective Jose Rodriguez at 800-533-7443 or Wall Township Police Department Detective Devin Corso at 732-449-4500.
This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki, Director of the MCPO Special Victims Bureau. Rizzitello is being represented by Francis R. Hodgson, Esq., with an office in Toms River.
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.
July 4, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today that an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force (MCHTF) and the Trenton Shooting Response Team has resulted in the arrest of a Trenton man for the shooting death of Samier Vincent.
Divon Ray, 24, of Trenton, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, eight counts of first-degree attempted murder and numerous weapons offenses including certain persons not to possess a weapon. He was arrested in Trenton on Wednesday. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Ray pending trial.
Just after 1:30 a.m. on 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2024, Trenton police responded to the 100 block of Walnut Avenue on a Shot Spotter activation for multiple rounds. Upon arrival, officers located a total of four adult victims suffering gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment. Samier Vincent, 30, of Trenton, who sustained a gunshot wound to the head/neck area, died on June 27 as a result of his injuries. An adult male and an adult female victim who sustained single gunshot wounds were treated and released from the hospital. A 29-year-old female victim remains hospitalized in serious condition.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Jennifer Eyster at (609) 989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to [email protected].
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Divon Ray, 24, of Trenton, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, eight counts of first-degree attempted murder and numerous weapons offenses including certain persons not to possess a weapon. He was arrested in Trenton on Wednesday. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Ray pending trial.
30-Year-Old Trenton Man Dies from June 23 Shooting
Names of the 2024 Trenton Homicide Victims
- 01/13/2024 Eduardo Lopez-Cruz, 38, of Trenton, Shooting
- 01/16/2024 Stefon Locke, 33, Shooting on 1/16 died 2/8/2024
- 02/28/2024 Shawn Moore, 45, Trenton, Shooting
- 03/19/2024 Donnell Jenkins age 52, Stabbing
- 04/04/2024 Jose Alfredo Azcona Garcia, 46, of Trenton, Shooting
- 05/01/2024 Jerome Francis, 43, of Hamilton
- 05/01/2024 Chevaughn Fagan, 28, of Trenton
- 05/19/2024 Stephon Fisher, 18, of Trenton, Shooting
- 05/26/2024 Dwayne Penix, 20, of Trenton, Shooting
- 06/11/2024 Johnathan Applegate
- 06/23/2024 Samier Vincent, 30, of Trenton, Shooting, died 6/27/2024
July 4, 2024
MANCHESTER, NJ (OCEAN)–Chief Antonio Ellis is proud to announce the promotion of several veteran Manchester Township Police Department officers to new leadership roles within the agency during a ceremony held on July 3, 2024: Lt. Albert Vega to Captain, Sgt. Charles Brooks to Lieutenant, Sgt. Paul Bachovchin to Lieutenant, Ptl. Michael Guarino to Sergeant, Ptl. Steven Wendruff to Sergeant, and Ptl. Ryan Saul to Corporal. Mayor Robert Arace had the honor of administering the Oaths of Office in the presence of family, friends, police, and township personnel.
“These officers lead by example and have consistently proven their dedication to this agency and our residents,” said Chief Ellis. “They take an immense amount of pride in putting on the Manchester Township Police Department uniform. I’m proud of the strong foundation of exemplary leadership that is in place within our department.”
Taking his oath first was Capt. Vega, who holds a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Administrative Science and most recently as Lieutenant oversaw the Investigations Bureau. Capt. Vega has earned and achieved over 20 awards and commendations throughout his service to include two Chief’s Awards, two Chief’s Commendation Awards, two Drug Enforcement Seizure Awards, two Exceptional Duty Awards, and seven Unit Citations.
Next to take his oath was Lt. Brooks, who earned his bachelor’s degree in public administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University and had served as Sergeant since 2011. Among his many awards and commendations, Lt. Brooks was recognized with two Chief’s Award, Lifesaving Award, and Exceptional Duty Award.
Next, Lt. Bachovchin, who has a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Administrative Science and served as Sergeant since 2017, took his oath. Lt. Bachovchin has served in numerous roles in our department, from D.A.R.E officer, Part time Traffic Safety officer, Radar instructor, Child Passenger Safety Technician, Honor Guard member, Field Training Officer, and Municipal Alliance Chairman.
July 4, 2024
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 3, 2024, Michael Vulpis, 26, of Freehold Borough, was charged with Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon or Ammunition, in connection with an incident that occurred in Jackson Township on June 27, 2024.
On June 27, 2024, at approximately 12:20 a.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the area of Larsen Road for a report of a male having suffered a gunshot wound. Responding Officers found a 27-year-old male with a gunshot wound to his face. The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of his injuries; he was treated and subsequently released.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, revealed that the victim and a female were sitting in a parked vehicle outside of a residence on Larsen Road. A blue sedan then parked in front of the vehicle – blocking it in. Two males exited the blue sedan, approached the vehicle and knocked on the window. As the victim was exiting the vehicle, one of the assailants began to strike him. During the assault, one of the assailants shot the victim in the face. The assailants then fled the area.
Further investigation revealed that Vulpis was the individual who shot the victim. On July 3, 2024, Vulpis was taken into custody at his residence in Freehold Borough without incident. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Emergency Response Team, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Jackson Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Freehold Township Police Department, and Freehold Borough Police Department, for their combined and cooperative 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).
July 4, 2024
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Township Fire Department, NJ State Police and EMS responded to the north bound outer lanes of New Jersey Turnpike near mile post 64.1 in East Windsor Township at 12:36 p.m for a motor vehcile crash. The crash appeared to have no serious lifethreating injuries. The injured were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The crash was aproxamilty 2 miles south of Exit 8 near the East Windsor-Robbinsville border and caused a minor traffic delay in the north bound lanes until the vehicles were towed away. No additional details are available about the crash.
