The auto-theft ring targeted high-end vehicles in Monmouth County, Mercer County, Ocean County, Union County, Essex County, Somerset County, Hunterdon County, Burlington County, Bergen County, Middlesex County and New York State.
November 18, 2022
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)– The New Jersey State Police have charged six suspects and dismantled an auto theft ring in New Jersey and New York linked to the theft of more than 30 high-end vehicles worth more than $3 million during a seven-month investigation.
In May, detectives with the Troop “C” Criminal Investigation Office began investigating multiple high-end motor vehicle thefts in Millstone Township and Upper Freehold Township. As a result, detectives identified Geovanni Hernandez, 24, of Newark, N.J. as a suspect and linked him to the theft of a BMW M8 and three Land Rover Range Rovers in Upper Freehold Township and Millstone Township. On July 22, detectives located Hernandez and arrested him.
As a result of the on-going investigation, detectives identified Carlos Sanchez, 23, of Newark, N.J. as the leader of an auto-theft ring targeting high-end vehicles in Monmouth County, Mercer County, Ocean County, Union County, Essex County, Somerset County, Hunterdon County, Burlington County, Bergen County, Middlesex County and New York State. Detectives also identified James Lanier, 24, Solomon Mickens, 23, and Sadiq Griggs, 23, all of Newark, N.J. as associates.
Through various investigative means, detectives determined that the suspects were also targeting residences while victims were home and committed burglaries in an attempt to steal the vehicles. After stealing the vehicles, the suspects would transport them to other locations where they were given fraudulent vehicle identification numbers to be re-titled and sold through an online marketplace.
On November 17, members of the Troop “C” Criminal Investigation Office, State Police Auto Theft Task Force, T.E.A.M.S. Unit, K-9 Unit, and Strategic Investigations Unit Central with assistance from members of the United States Marshals NY/NJ Fugitive Task Force and Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office executed search warrants at the residences of Mickens and Sanchez, and at a motel in Avenel, N.J. where Sanchez was staying. As a result of the searches, detectives arrested Sanchez and Mickens and seized a 9mm handgun, a high-capacity magazine, key fobs, and electronic devices linked to the operation. Detectives later arrested Griggs at a residence in Newark and Lanier in a vehicle in Newark. Destiny Montalvo, 21, of Newark, N.J. was located at her residence and was arrested for conspiring to dispose of evidence.
Below: NJ State Police staging in Upper Freehold Township, it was unclear if this operation had anything to do with the bust mentioned.
The suspects were charged with the following:
Carlos Sanchez
• Leader of an auto theft trafficking network
• Conspiracy to commit theft
• Theft by unlawful taking
James Lanier
• Conspiracy to commit theft
• Theft by unlawful taking
• Burglary
Geovanni Hernandez
• Conspiracy to commit theft
• Burglary
• Theft
• Receiving stolen property
Solomon Mickens
• Conspiracy to commit theft
• Theft by unlawful taking
Sadiq Griggs
• Conspiracy to commit theft
Destiny Montalvo
• Tampering with physical evidence
All suspects were lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a bail detention hearing. This case is being prosecuted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
The Allentown FFA chapter of Allentown, NJ, has been recognized in 2022 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization.
The program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters from throughout the country that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
Chapters that received star ratings during judging this summer and will be recognized at the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct 26-29.
All star-rated FFA chapters receive honors made possible by corporate sponsor John Deere.
“At John Deere, we believe that FFA will grow the next generation of leaders capable of changing the world for the better,” Aaron Wetzel, vice president of production systems at John Deere, said. “Star chapters help inspire these vital leaders through their exceptional commitment to FFA’s mission, which they bring to life through inspiring agricultural education, rich career exploration, and meaningful community service.”
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 735,000 student members as part of 8,817 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
March 21, 2022
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 11:00 a.m. multiple 9-1-1 calls were received about a garage fire in the 1st Block of Hamton Hollow Drive. Fire Officers also reported seeing a large column of smoke in the sky at the same time and called for 2nd alarm on arrival. First arriving firefighters found a 2-story home with a garage fully involved that was extending to the rest of the home. Firefighters quickly pulled a 2 1/2″ hand line as well as several 1 3/4″ handlines and quickly went to work knocking down the fire in minutes keeping fire from consuming the entire home. The fire went to 3-Alarms before being brought under control, about a 1/2 hour after initial dispatch. Investigation crews from the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office are still on scene investigating the cause of the fire.
Fire Departments responding were: Millstone Township, Monroe Township, Robbinsville, Hightstown, Hope Fire Company of Allentown-Upper Freehold, Manalapan, Plumsted Township-New Egypt, Freehold Township and others. Capital Health Allentown EMS responded to the scene for EMS and monitoring. New Jersey State Police were also on scene.
The investigation is still active and crews are still on scene at the time of this report.
No further information is available at this time.
Fire conditions found at the scene. Quick actions by the fire departments brought this fire under control in about a half hour. 
August 25, 2021
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The New Jersey State Police is seeking the public’s assistance with identifying four suspects who allegedly committed a series of car burglaries in Monmouth County.
On Tuesday, August 17, troopers from Troop “C” Hamilton Station began investigating several car burglaries that were reported between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. in Millstone Township.
During the investigation, troopers discovered that four suspects committed the burglaries. The suspects were caught on video surveillance entering numerous cars, rummaging through interior compartments, and removing numerous items. It is believed the suspects arrived in a unknown dark-colored SUV with an unknown license plate. The suspects are also wanted in connection to three motor vehicle thefts in Millstone during the same time period.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Troop “C” Hamilton Station at 609-584-5000 ext 5297.
Anonymous tips are welcome.
We would like to remind the public to always lock your car doors, never leave valuables inside of your car, and never leave your keys in the car.
An email notice last week from Millstone Township about recent car thefts:
There have been a rash of auto thefts in Millstone Township and surrounding towns recently and practically every one of them had the keys or key fobs left in the car.
The New Jersey State Police offer simple tips to avoid auto theft:
1. Always lock your car.
2. Remove the keys and key fobs from your car.
3. Never leave valuables in the car.
4. Don’t leave your car running.
5. Set the home location of your GPS to a nearby location, not your home.
6. Activate the account for your factory installed tracking system.
7. Know your license plate.
If your car is stolen, immediately call 911 and your insurance company.
August 20, 2021
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The New Jersey State Police have recovered several pieces of jewelry during a motor vehicle stop in Monmouth County and are seeking to return the recovered items to the owners.
On August 11, troopers from Troop “C” Hamilton Station stopped a vehicle reported stolen out of Howell Township in Millstone Township. During the stop, troopers recovered several pieces of stolen jewelry within the vehicle.
Troopers recovered the following items:
•Gold ring engraved with “R to M 5-25-68”
•Gold love bracelet
•Silver chain with heart and a cat in the middle
•MGH Pin
•H Pin
•Santa Pin
•Locket with leaves
•Assorted jewelry
Anyone who may be a victim is asked to contact Trooper Mario Fernandez of the New Jersey State Police Hamilton Station at 609-584-5000 ext. 5297.
July 31, 2021
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–New Jersey State Police Sgt. Philip Curry told MidJersey.news that Troopers responded to 59 Conover Road in Millstone at 6:43 p.m. on July 30, for the reports of an unresponsive male that was pulled from the bottom of a swimming pool.
Preliminary information indicates that Guilebaldo Ramos, 30, of Freehold, NJ was swimming with several co-workers on their employer’s property when Ramos was observed at the bottom of the deep end of the pool. He was removed by his co-workers who then attempted life-saving measures. Millstone Township Fire-EMS and paramedics arrived on scene and Ramos was subsequently pronounced deceased. This incident remains under investigation by the New Jersey State Police.
July 21, 2021
NEWARK, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man today admitted he defrauded the Department of Veterans Affairs of over $200,0000 in survivor’s pension benefits over 12 years, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Melvin Greenspan, 72, of Perrineville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conversion of government funds.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs provided survivor’s pension benefits to Greenspan’s mother because of Greenspan’s father’s prior military service. Those benefits, intended only for surviving spouses of military members, were made through electronic funds transfers into Greenspan’s mother’s bank account beginning in September 1971 and continuing after that date. After Greenspan’s mother died in 2006, Greenspan did not notify the Department of Veterans Affairs about his mother’s death and made withdrawals of the survivor’s pension benefits from his mother’s bank account between 2006 and 2018, totaling $201,166.
The charge of conversion of government funds carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.
21-323
Defense counsel: Vincent LaPaglia Esq., Hoboken, New Jersey
- Greenspan.Information.pdf
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
July 5, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD, MILLSTONE, NJ (MONMOUTH)–JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Another weekend another traffic jam at Six Flags Great Adventure on Route 537 in Jackson Township. The Jackson Township Police Department earlier today issued a “Traffic Advisory” for a high volume of traffic heading into Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor. Jackson Township Police closed jug handles at intersections/traffic lights to try and help keep the traffic flowing.
Google Traffic was showing backups on County Road 537 West Bound 2 miles from Holmson to Great Adventure Gate. County Route 537 East Bound backed up over 2 miles from past Hawkin Road to the Great Adventure Gate. Interstate I-195 East bound was backed up at times over 4 miles or 5 miles from the Great Adventure Gate.
Local roadways were also backed up as people tried to find other was into the park. Problems were reported on Emely’s Hill Road, Millers Mill Road, Pine Drive and others. Residents reported being blocked in their own driveways by the traffic and gridlock conditions.
NJ Department of Transportation 511NJ issued several Tweets today on Six Flags Great Adventure Traffic:
Delays on I-195 eastbound ramp to westbound Exit 16 – CR 537/Great Adventure (Jackson Twp) All lanes open delays due to volume https://t.co/jSg5Kcuy8A
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) July 5, 2021
Delays on I-195 eastbound from Exit 11 – CR 524 (Upper Freehold Twp) to Exit 16 – CR 537/Great Adventure (Jackson Twp) current travel time is 10-15 minutes https://t.co/Xr2MsiAWWy
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) July 5, 2021
Delays on I-195 eastbound ramp to westbound Exit 16 – CR 537/Great Adventure (Jackson Twp) All lanes open delays due to volume https://t.co/4KV8UUqLU5
— 511NJ I195 (@511nji195) July 5, 2021
Facebook user Joline B. from Millstone wrote:
The Great Adventure traffic has bled over onto Pine Drive. Our driveways are blocked by cars, in gridlock, looking for a way to shortcut into GA. There is no shortcut through this neighborhood!!! No one answers the traffic line at the Jackson Sate Police location. We are all stuck at home. This is ridiculous. Great Adventure needs to fund/supply additional police so that this does NOT happen. Very frustrated and it is getting worse by the week.
Jackson Township Police Traffic Advisory for July 5, 2021:
**TRAFFIC ADVISORY**
Rt. 537/Monmouth Road is experiencing a high volume of traffic heading in to Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor. Our Officers and NJSP are in the area monitoring the situation and also dealing with multiple minor motor vehicle accidents. We have just been advised that the majority of the traffic appears to be heading to Hurricane Harbor and as a result the water park has just reached its attendance capacity and it has been closed to further entry. As a result the traffic backup will likely get worse. Please use caution if you need to travel through the area.
June 6, 2021 MidJersey.news article on Six Flags Great Adventure Traffic: Traffic Alert: Avoid 537 In Area Of Great Adventure Due To Traffic Jam; Jackson Police Issue Statement On Traffic
Note these photos were taken later in the day after the traffic started to subside. We did not want to get caught up in the gridlock conditions as shown by Google Maps and reported from several residents living in the area.
May 26, 2021
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–New Jersey State Police Seeking Public’s Assistance with Locating Missing 13-year-old Girl The New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit and State Police Hamilton Station are seeking the public’s assistance with locating Natalee Perez, 13, of Millstone, N.J. Natalee is described as a light-skinned Hispanic female, 5’4”, 180 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing an orange shirt, blue jeans, black jacket, and a pair of black Adidas sneakers. Natalee was last seen on Saturday, May 22, at her residence and is believed to be in the North Philadelphia area. Anyone with information is asked to call the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at (609) 882-2000, ext. 2554 or NJSP Hamilton Station at 609-584-5000 ext. 5287.
Natalee Perez, 13, of Millstone, N.J.
May 4, 2021
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 2:47 p.m. the Millstone Township Fire Department was dispatched to 500 Route 33 West Bound for a roof fire with initial reports of workers trapped on the roof. Additional mutual aid was requested from Monroe Township, Manalapan, Freehold Township #1, and Englishtown. Hightstown Fire Company was requested as a RIT team. Upon arrival firefighters found a fire on the roof and workers trying to extinguish the fire using garden hoses and fire extinguishers, no workers were trapped on the roof. The building was laddered and the fire was extinguished.
It appears the fire started when workers set the roof on fire using propane torches on a roof replacement project. The Millstone Township Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire. The Millstone Township Construction Office was also notified and will respond. There were reports of workers working without a fire or construction permit for a torch-down roof repair-replacement.
No additional information is available at this time.
April 28, 2021
SAN DIEGO, CA–On April 22, 2021, at 10:30 p.m., the San Diego Police Communications Center received numerous calls reporting that a shooting had occurred at 500 J Street in the Gaslamp District. More calls were received stating that the suspect had walked away and been involved in another shooting at 5th Avenue and Island Avenue.
Officers from Central Division arrived at 500 J Street and found a male down on the sidewalk with at least one apparent gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers began providing medical aid until relieved by San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel. Unfortunately, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
San Diego Police Homicide Detectives were called to the scene and are currently investigating the incident. While this complicated investigation continues, detectives have learned the male was standing on the sidewalk at 500 J Street when he was confronted by the suspect. Without provocation, the suspect produced a handgun and fired at the victim. The suspect began to walk away, but quickly turned and fired again at the victim. The suspect then walked northbound on 5th Avenue where he confronted a group of males at 500 5th Avenue. The suspect again produced a handgun and fired at the group, striking 4 of them. The suspect continued walking northbound, but was followed by citizens who detained him as officers arrived at that location. The suspect continued to struggle with officers, prompting an officer to deploy his Taser to subdue the suspect. He was taken into custody without further incident. A firearm was recovered from the suspect.
The deceased male has been identified as Justice Boldin, 28. He was employed as a valet when he was killed.
The injured males have also been identified. Vincent Gazzani, a 27 year-old resident of Perrineville, New Jersey, sustained serious gunshot injuries to his upper body. Gazzani remains hospitalized in stable condition. Steven Ely, a 68 year-old resident of San Diego, remains hospitalized in stable condition with a gunshot wound to his torso. Alexander Balis, a 26 year-old resident of Mullica Hill, New Jersey, has been released from the hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound to his arm. Jatil Kodati, a 28 year-old resident of Jersey City, New Jersey, was treated at the scene for a gunshot injury to his arm.
The suspect, Travis Sarreshteh, 32, has been arrested. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment after the Taser deployment and other injuries sustained when he was tackled by citizens.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
April 23, 2021 press release:
On April 22, 2021, at 10:30 p.m., the San Diego Police Communications Center received numerous calls reporting that a shooting had occurred at 500 J Street in the Gaslamp District. More calls were received stating that the suspect had walked away and been involved in another shooting at 5th Avenue and Island Avenue.
Officers from Central Division arrived at 500 J Street and found a male down on the sidewalk with at least one apparent gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers began providing medical aid until relieved by San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel. Unfortunately, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
San Diego Police Homicide Detectives were called to the scene and are currently investigating the incident. While it is still early in this complicated investigation, detectives have learned the male was standing on the sidewalk at 500 J Street when he was confronted by the suspect. After a brief verbal exchange, the suspect produced a handgun and fired at the victim. The suspect began to walk away, but quickly turned and fired again at the victim. The suspect then walked northbound on 5th Avenue where he confronted a group of males at 500 5th Avenue. The suspect again produced a handgun and fired at the group, striking 4 of them. The suspect continued walking northbound, but was followed by citizens who attempted to detain him as officers arrived at that location. The suspect continued to struggle with officers, prompting an officer to deploy his Taser to subdue the suspect. He was taken into custody without further incident. A firearm was recovered from the suspect.
Detectives remain at the scene, collecting evidence and attempting to locate witnesses. Traffic in the area is expected to be impacted for several hours as the investigation continues.
The deceased male has been identified, however his name is not being released at this time. He is described as a 28 year-old White male.
The injured males have also been identified, however their names are not being released at this time. They are described as a 27 year-old White male with serious gunshot injuries to his upper body, a 68 year-old White male with a gunshot wound to his torso, and a 26 year-old White male with a gunshot wound to his arm. These victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. A 5th victim, a 28 year-old male with a gunshot injury to his arm, was treated at the scene.
The suspect has been arrested, however his name is not being released at this time. He is described as a 32 year-old White male. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment after the Taser deployment and other injuries sustained when he was tackled by citizens.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
April 12, 2021 — Updated
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–NJ State Police tells MidJersey.news that at 10:36 am a crash occurred involving a Toyota and a Volvo XC40. The vehicles were traveling east bound on I-195 just prior to Exit 16B (County Road 537) at mile marker 16.6 one of the vehicles overturned.
Millstone Township Fire Department Fire and EMS responded to the scene. Upon arrival there was no entrapment but 1 person was injured from the Volvo and was transported to Centra State Medical Center in Freehold.
NJ State Police was on scene investigating and appeared to have one person under arrest but it was unclear what involvement that person had in the crash.
NJ DOT closed the left lane until the vehicles could be removed.
The driver of the Toyota was arrested at the scene for suspicion of DWI. The crash remains under investigation.
February 17, 2021
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Just after 11:00 am Millstone Township Fire Department was dispatched to 532 Route 537-Monmouth Road for a fire on a roof of a commercial building with reported smoke and flames visible. Mutual Aid fire departments from Hope Fire Company-Allentown, Plumstead Township-New Egypt Fire Company, Jackson Township and Monroe Township were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival firefighters reported light smoke and fire from the roof and were able to quickly knock the fire down bringing it under control within minutes. Initial radio reports are that workers on the roof making repairs caught the roofing materials on fire using a torch. The fire is under investigation by the Millstone Township Fire Marshal’s Office and no additional details are available at this time. Firefighters remained on scene for at least an hour for overhaul and checking for hot spots. Thanks to a quick response and extinguishment by firefighters, the business was expected to reopen shortly with almost no business interruption.
November 30, 2020
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–This morning at 6:00 am the Millstone Township Fire Department will be providing ambulance service out of the firehouse. The program is run by the Millstone Township Fire District #1 with a shared service agreement with the Township of Millstone.
Monday morning was a very special morning for the Millstone Township Fire Department. The Millstone Township committee officially turned over the keys to the ambulances and starting at 6am December 1, 2020. Millstone Township Fire Department is the official EMS provider for Millstone Township. We would like to thank everyone that put in the hard work and played a part in making this become a reality.
The 2012 Chevy 4500 Express / Braun will serve as our second ambulance for the EMS program. 32-57 which formally served the Millstone First Aid Squad was transferred to the Department as part of the shared service agreement we entered with the township.
The 2019 Ford E450 has a PL Custom Body. 32-58 was purchased by the Millstone Township committee as part of the shared service agreement that was recently entered for the EMS program.
November 29, 2020
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Millstone Township Fire Department responded to Seasonal World on Route 537 this afternoon around 3:50 pm for a car in a pool. Upon arrival the driver of the vehicle was out out the vehicle and out of the water. No further information was available.
