Police said a 19-year-old woman was using the ATM machine at the Wells Fargo bank on Hooper Avenue when she was approached by a man wearing a white ski mask and a hooded sweatshirt.

Police say this man robbed a woman at an ATM machine Wednesday night. (Courtesy of the Toms River Police Department).

TOMS RIVER -- For the second time in three days, a woman was robbed while using an ATM machine.

The latest incident happened Wednesday night at 7:40 p.m. Police said a 19-year-old woman was using the ATM machine at the Wells Fargo bank on Hooper Avenue when she was approached by a man wearing a white ski mask and a hooded sweatshirt.

As the woman was making a deposit, the man came up from behind her, put his hand at his waistband and yelled, "Drop it," according to police. The woman dropped the cash and her bankcard and then ran away.

On Tuesday, a 68-year-old Berkeley Township woman was robbed while using the ATM machine at the Bank of America on Route 37 west, police said. The woman was entering in her pin number when she, too, was approached from behind by a man. Police said he pushed her out of the way and then grabbed the cash.

A Toms River police spokesman, Officer Ralph Stocco, said in an email, "We don't have any reason to believe they are connected, but we're not ruling that out." 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Three men, including a police officer, have been indicted by Ocean County Grad Jury in connection to the April killing of a Jackson Township man

TOMS RIVER - Three men were indicted by an Ocean County Grand Jury in connection to the April killing of a Jackson Township man, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced Thursday.

Shortly after 11 p.m. April 9, Jackson Township police responded to Casanova Ristorante on South New Prospect Road for a report of an injured employee.

Hector Calderon, 47, of Freehold was arrested hours after, police say, he allegedly fatally shot a man in a defunct restaurant Thursday evening, authorities said.Ocean County Prosecutor's Office 

Responding officers found the body of Peyman Sanandaji, 34, of Jackson, within the restaurant, which had not been open to the public for some time but people had gathered inside of it the night of the incident, Coronato said in April.

Sanandaji died after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said.

A subsequent investigation determined that Sanandaji was shot during the course of an altercation with Hector Calderon, 48, of Freehold Borough, authorities said.

Prosecutor's office Detectives John Murphy and John Carroll responded to Calderon's residence, along with the Freehold Borough police, and arrested Calderon without incident within hours of the shooting, the prosecutor's office said.

RELATED: Cop charged with hindering murder investigation appears in court

Daniele RomeodiSantillo, 27, of Manalapan, was arrested on April 17 after investigators determined he was also present at the time of the killing and that the shooting took place during a meeting between RomeodiSantillo, Calderon and Sanandaji, authorities said.

Jackson Police Officer Eric Prosniewski (Ocean County Prosecutor's Office)MaryAnn Spoto | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 

On May 14, 2015, Jackson Township police officer Eric Prosniewski, 45, was arrested after authorities said he lied to help his friend, RomeodiSantillo, during the murder investigation.

Prosniewski - a 12-year veteran earning more than $112,000 a year - was suspended without pay pending the resolution of the criminal charges, which could send him to prison for up to 10 years, officials said.

Authorities did not say what Prosniewski allegedly did to help RomeodiSantillo, but Coronato and Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz said Prosniewski was off-duty at the time.

The indictment charges Calderon and RomeodiSantillo with murder, conspiracy, and weapons charges.  The Grand Jury also found special aggravating factors applicable to the murder charge, the prosecutor's office said. 

Additionally, the Grand Jury indicted RomeodiSantillo and Prosniewski for hindering and conspiracy to hinder.

The case is being prosecuted by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Weatherstone.

Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

 

The cause of the crash, which occurred at around 6:47 p.m., is still under investigation, but the two cars did collide head-on, Beachwood police Sgt. Frank Melillo said.

BEACHWOOD — Police are investigating a head-on collision Wednesday night on Route 166 involving a pregnant woman.

The cause of the crash, which occurred at around 6:47 p.m., is still under investigation, but the two cars did collide head-on, Beachwood police Sgt. Frank Melillo said.

The driver of one of the vehicles, only identified as a 35-year-old man, was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he remains in stable condition, Melillo said.

He said a woman who is pregnant was driving the other vehicle, and was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River. She was treated and released.

Route 166 was shut down for a brief period due to the investigation.

Responding to the scene were members of the Beachwood police, first aid and volunteer fire company. New Jersey Department of Transportation officials assisted in detouring traffic around the crash.

Police asked anyone with information to call the Sgt. Melillo at 732-286-6000 ext. 105.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A Holocaust survivor from Jackson and his granddaughter lit the menorah at the White House Hanukkah party,

WASHINGTON -- A Jackson resident who survived the Holocaust shared the spotlight with President Barack Obama at the White House Hanukkah party.

Manny Lindenbaum, 81, a native of Germany who was deported to Poland, escaped to England with his brother via the Kindertransport, the name given to the successful efforts to rescue Jewish children from the Nazis and bring them to the United Kingdom. Lindenbaum's parents and sister perished at Auschwitz. He later made his way to New Jersey where he was reunited with an aunt and uncle.

He and granddaughter Lauren Lindenbaum joined Obama to light the candles Wednesday evening at a reception to mark the Jewish holiday. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin was the guest of honor at a second White House Hanukkah party held earlier in the day.

"Manny never forgot that the miracle of his life was only made possible because righteous people reached out their hand to a stranger," Obama said. "He's determined to be one of those people for a new generation of refugees."

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/newark_serves_as_the_backdrop_for_obamas_campaign.html

Obama cited Lindenbaum's bicycle ride last hear through Europe with his children and grandchildren, retracing in reverse his rescue and raising money for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the same group that reunited him with his uncle and aunt.

"Imagine the world we could build together if all of us took our cues from Manny and truly lived up to the ideal that we are all God's children, that none of us should turn our backs on a stranger," Obama said.

Also in attendance at the second party were three Jewish Supreme Court justices: Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan, according to the White House pool report.

 

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Defendant is a career criminal with a string of burglaries and aggravated assaults on his record.

BRANCHBURG -- A bungling burglar who inadvertently dialed 911 and described his break-in plans to police before he committed the crimes was sentenced Friday to 10 years in state prison.

Scott Robert Esser (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)

Scott Robert Esser, 42, of Elizabeth, must serve at least five years before being eligible for parole under the plea deal agreement reached with Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Murphy.

Esser is a career criminal with a string of previous burglaries and aggravated assault convictions on his record from Monmouth, Ocean and Union counties.

On July 27, the Somerset County 911 call center received what appeared to officials there to be an errant, open-line emergency cell phone call, authorities said. Such a call is "'commonly referred to as a butt dial," authorities said.

County dispatchers continued to listen as Esser, who was unaware he had made the call, discussed with an alleged accomplice their plans for breaking into homes, emptying drawers, stealing watches and smashing a back door, authorities said.

Authorities didn't know Esser's location, but later that evening Branchburg police received a report of a burglary at a Lamington Road residence, authorities said.

The home was entered by force and dresser drawers were emptied of their contents, authorities said. The homeowner reported $1,355 in miscellaneous jewelry had been stolen, authorities said.

Police confirmed that the cell phone for the errant 911 call belong to Esser and began following him on July 29 as he drove from Elizabeth to Stafford Township in Ocean County, authorities said. 

Authorities briefly lost sight of Esser when he got out of his vehicle on Mermaid Drive but found him when he was leaving the area in the vehicle, authorities said.

Police discovered that a residence on Mermaid Drive ahd been broken into and stopped Esser's vehicle on the Garden State Parkway to make the arrest, police said. Officers seized jewelry, electronic devices, a Playstation 4 gaming system, a .38 Caliber handgun, U.S. Bonds worth approximately $11,300.00 and burglary tools from his car, authorities said.

Esser admitted to the burglaries before Judge Bruce A. Jones. He pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, three counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of third-degree theft and one count of third-degree criminal mischief in connection with the burglaries committed in Branchburg Township, Berkeley Heights, and Stafford Township in October.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

The lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court alleges Rev. Peter Miqueli took at least $1 million to pay for his salacious endeavors since 2003.

Bronx parishioners are claiming a Catholic priest stole church donations for over a decade to pay for a homosexual sex "master" and a house in Brick, according to the NY Post. 

The lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court alleges Rev. Peter Miqueli took at least $1 million since 2003 to pay for his salacious endeavors as well as monthly rent at an East Harlem apartment and prescription drugs, the report says.

The suit further alleges the Archdiocese of New York knew of the scheme and failed to address it, according the NY Post. 

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

The extreme annual Christmas Light Show returned to Woolley Road in Wall Township for its tenth year. Watch video

WALL TOWNSHIP - What do you get when you mix a Christmas carol with a heavy metal concert?

The answer: The annual Christmas Light Show that draws thousands of spectators to the quiet neighborhood along Woolley Road every year.

After starting 10 years ago, the show has gained national attention for the creative way it synchronizes thousands of light bulbs, strobe lights, fog machines and giant flame shooters with rocking versions of holiday classics.

This year a new effect was added: A 20-foot-tall Christmas tree that rises from the ground before blinking along with the music.

The event has become an annual tradition for thousands of families. Approximately 10,000 total spectators attended the show in 2015, event organizer Dan Brateris said.

"We came to see it twice last year and this year we wanted to be here for the first show," said Kristen Erbhacher, after watching the show with fellow Freehold resident JoAnne Bamford, her 8-year-old son, Matthew Bamford, and his friend Aaron Guzman, 8.

"It's just too cool," Erbhacher said. "It's awesome the way they synch everything up to the music, but it's also something different that brings the community together for a good cause, which we love."

But for all of the families who come back to the show every year, there are always others in the crowd experiencing it for the first time.

Howell residents Heather and Matt Ambrosia visited the show for the first time with their sons Nicolas, 8, and Jake, 4, as well as their friends Nicole and Derek Varricchio, of Jackson, and their sons Frankie, 6, and Sal, 3.

"I thought it was great, very well done," Heather Ambrosia said. "We'll absolutely come back. It's a nice thing to do as a family, it's close to home and the donations go to a good cause."

The event - funded by private benefactors and put on by volunteers - is free and open to the public. However, visitors are asked to give donations to benefit Challenged Youth Sports, a local charity that provides recreational opportunities for physically challenged children.

Like many of the other spectators, one element of the show stood out from the rest for Nicolas Ambrosia.

"The flames!" the 8 year old said enthusiastically. "They were awesome!"

The extreme annual Christmas Light Show returned to Woolley Road in Wall Township on Dec. 11, 2015 for its tenth year, which featured its most over-the-top effects yet. (Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 

Matthew Bamford said he hopes that he can keep coming to the show for years to come.

"It's amazing how the (organizers) take all that time that they could be playing with their own families and spend it doing something for others to enjoy," the 8 year old said.

This year's two nightly shows continue Saturday, Dec. 12 and conclude Sunday, Dec. 13, with shows scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on each night, weather permitting.

Woolley Road will be closed during the shows, with the exception of handicapped access at the discretion of the Wall Township Police Department. 

All parking for the show is located at the North Wall Little League Field at 2744 Belmar Boulevard is free.  Attendees must park at the field and walk to the show. The police controlled route is a 10-minute walk.  Attendees are asked to arrive 30 to 40 minutes prior to show time, to in dress warm clothing and bring a flashlight.

--For more information about the Christmas Light Show, including up-to-date parking and weather updates, click here.

Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Two men were charged with robbing a pair of Atlantic Highlands residents who were allegedly attempting to purchase marijuana from them.

FREEHOLD - Two men were charged with robbing a pair of Atlantic Highlands residents who were attempting to purchase marijuana from them, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Friday night.

On Thursday, Najzhir Islam, 19, of Jackson, and Juwan Williams, 18, of Tinton Falls, arrived at the home on Ocean Boulevard in Atlantic Highlands under the pretense of making an illegal marijuana transaction, but with the intention of the armed robbery, the prosecutor's office said.

File photo 

Islam and Williams were met inside the home by two occupants, who had previously called them for the marijuana. During the transaction, however, one of the defendants brandished a gun while the other defendant used pepper spray to rob the victims of $265, before they fled the scene, authorities said.

The victim reported the robbery to Atlantic Highlands Police and a short time later Sea Bright police located the suspects' vehicle on Ocean Avenue and subsequently stopped it in Rumson, where the two men were taken into custody by Atlantic Highlands police, the prosecutor's office said.

Islam and Williams were charged with one count of first-degree armed robbery and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

They were both lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township on $250,000 bail with no 10-percent option, as set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Honora O'Brien Kilgallen.

They were also ordered to have no contact with their victims or return to the scene of the crime.

Anyone with any additional information on this incident is asked to call Detective Kevin Condon, of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 1-800-533-7443, or Detective Sgt. Thomas Stone, of the Atlantic Highlands Police Department, at 732-291-1212.

If convicted of armed robbery, each suspect could be sentenced to up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison. The possession of weapon for an unlawful purpose charge carries a potential sentence of five to ten years in state prison.

The case was assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Decker, director of the prosecutor's office's Major Crimes Bureau.

Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

An off-duty New Jersey State Police sergeant, who was heading home from work, delivered a healthy baby girl along the Garden State Parkway Friday, authorities said.

An off-duty New Jersey State Police sergeant delivered a baby girl on the Garden State Parkway in Monmouth County Dec. 11, 2015, the agency said. (File photo)  

"The expecting Lakewood couple were on their way to a hospital in New Brunswick when the baby decided she would not wait any longer," the State Police said in a statement.

The husband pulled over on the northbound express lanes near milepost 110 and called 9-1-1. State Police Sgt. Sean Boag, who was closest to where the couple stopped, heard the dispatcher's call of a woman going into labor arrived within minutes around 4 p.m., the agency said.

The baby was born at 4:02 p.m. with help from the sergeant, according to State Police. The mother and newborn was reported to be doing well at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.

"Sergeant Boag was commended for his quick response and decisive actions, which helped keep everyone safe," the statement added.

In November, four state troopers also helped deliver a baby girl along the New Jersey Turnpike in Newark.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Three women and a dog were injured in a serious crash on East Veterans Highway in the township Saturday morning, police said.

Police were investigating a serious crash in Jackson Dec. 12, 2015 (File photo) 

The crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. at the intersection with Bowman Road and involved a 1999 Ford Explorer and a 2008 Dodge Nitro, according to police.

The driver of the Ford, a 60-year-old Toms River woman, had to be extricated from the wrecked vehicle and was flown to Jersey Shore Hospital in Neptune suffering from internal injuries, police said. A dog in the SUV was also hurt and treated at NorthStar Vets in Robbinsville.

A 50-year-old Jackson woman driving the Dodge and her passenger, a 24-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries, police said. 

"The Traffic Safety Unit is investigating whether the Ford Explorer failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Bowman Road and East Veterans Highway," police said in a news release. "The Jackson Police would like to thank the witnesses who remained on scene to speak with the investigating officer."

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A section of Route 9 in the township was closed late Saturday as police investigated a serious accident involving a pedestrian, authorities said.

A section of Route 9 was closed in Berkeley Township late Dec. 12, 2015, officials said. (File photo) 

BERKELEY -- A section of Route 9 in the township was closed late Saturday as police investigated a serious accident involving a pedestrian, authorities said.

The highway was blocked in both directions as the investigation continued shortly before 10 p.m., near Ocean Gate Drive, according to the state Department of Transportation website.

A pedestrian accident was reported on Route 9, according to DOT traffic website 511nj.org. Additional details were not immediately available.

The Ocean County Sheriff's Department asked motorists to avoid the area.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Flocks of Santas, elves, reindeer and other colorful holiday characters descended on Asbury Park on Saturday for the city's annual SantaCon event. Watch video

ASBURY PARK - The holiday spirit was crawling through the city on Saturday, as hundreds of Santas, elves, reindeer and other colorful holiday characters flocked to Asbury Park for its annual SantaCon event.

This year's SantaCon - which is essentially a bar crawl - started at Johnny Mac House of Spirits and was scheduled to make at least six other stops at bars between Main Street and the boardwalk.

"Everyone is out here just celebrating the Christmas spirit and having a good time," said Ty Hughes, 24, of Point Pleasant, who attended the Asbury Park SantaCon with a group of approximately two dozen friends. "We've done this a couple years in a row, we're keeping it going this year. A lot of us don't get to see each other as much any more, so this is a fun way to get everyone together and it's for a good cause."

Flocks of Santas, elves, reindeer and other colorful holiday characters descended on Asbury Park on Dec. 12, 2015 for the annual Asbury Park SantaCon. (Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 

In addition to the bar hopping, the event helps support local organizations - including the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Toys for Tots, and the pediatric intensive care unit at Jersey Shore University Medical Center - as the hundreds of participants donated toys and hundreds of pounds of canned goods. Member of the Jersey Shore Roller Girls and The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh were on hand to collect the donations.

"It seems to be getting bigger and better every year. And I like the idea helping out the businesses here in Asbury during the off-season, as well as donating to charity," said Al Verbenko, of Highlands, who came dressed in a blue Santa suit. "The theme behind this is not to just put on a Santa hat and go drinking. It's really to come out to be creative and to express yourself. And because it draws people who are very creative, you get to meet a lot of really cool folks. I've made some life-long friends here over the years."

WATCH: Crazy Christmas Light Show rocks N.J. home (VIDEO)

One Neptune resident, who identified himself only as "Naughty Santa", has taken part in every Asbury Park SantaCon and every year he comes dressed in a toga and an oversized hat.

In past years, he wore the toga despite frigid and snowy weather conditions.

On Saturday, however, record-setting warm temperatures had Naughty Santa singing a different tune.

"It's so warm, I'm actually sweating this year. But hopefully the warm weather brings more people out," he said. "I come back every year because it's a fun time that brings people together for the holidays and supports the town."

Friends Michelle Ruggiero and Alyssa Morgan, both 24, of Freehold, have attended the large SantaCon event in New York City in the past. But they said they decided to stay closer to home this year due to the "craziness" going on in the world.

"The best part about this is getting dressed up and drinking with your friends," Ruggiero said. "And we get to make an entire day out of it."

"Hopefully," Morgan interjected jokingly. "If we make it."

Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The beloved Mary Lee, a great white shark that is an Internet sensation, surfaced at 7 a.m. about 40 miles off the coast of Atlantic City.

Mary Lee, New Jersey's favorite great white shark, returned to the Jersey Shore Sunday morning. (OCEARCH).

ATLANTIC CITY -- New Jersey's favorite great white shark gave residents a gift Sunday morning just in time for the holidays: A return to the Jersey Shore. 

The beloved Mary Lee, an Internet sensation that captured the hearts of thousands when she was spotted along the Jersey coast over the summer, surfaced at 7 a.m. about 40 miles off Atlantic City.

Since research group OCEARCH tagged her in September 2012 off Cape Cod, Mary Lee has recorded nearly 26,000 miles up and down the East Coast, and has ventured as far away as Bermuda.

Mary Lee's last ping came on Dec. 4 off the coast of North Carolina. Her last return to the Garden State came in November when she surfaced in the Barnegat Bay near Long Beach Island.  

In case you're not familiar with Mary Lee, here's the deal:

OCEARCH is a nonprofit organization that tracks travel patterns of sharks for research purposes. The group placed a tracker on Mary Lee's dorsal fin, and every time it breaks the water's surface, a signal -- or "ping" -- is recorded. The pings for Mary Lee, and dozens of other sharks, are displayed on a Google map on the OCEARCH website.

An unofficial Twitter account, @MaryLeeShark, run by a reporter from Wilmington, N.C., has amassed a huge following since it was created in November 2012, shortly after the shark was tagged. The account has about 91,000 followers.

Good morning, Jersey! Miss me? -;() @OCEARCH pic.twitter.com/q6VB3hDjLp

-- Mary Lee the shark (@MaryLeeShark) December 13, 2015

In New Jersey, Mary Lee created hysteria over the summer when she made several stops along the Jersey Shore coast at a time when many Garden State residents visit the shore. Another shark, Elias, also made headlines when it entered the shallow waters near the Asbury Park boardwalk in August. 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Alexander Aguilar, 22, of Bayville, was returning from a delivery at around 9 p.m. when he hit two people in the southbound lane on Route 9, authorities said.

Alexander Aguilar, 22, of Bayville, was returning from a delivery at around 9 p.m. when he hit two people in the southbound lane of Route 9 with his 2009 Hyundai Sonata as they crossed the street from Frederick Drive, authorities said. (Google maps).

BERKELEY -- A Domino's Pizza delivery driver fatally struck a 49-year-old township woman Saturday night as she was crossing Route 9 in the Bayville section of town, authorities said.

Alexander Aguilar, 22, of Bayville, was returning from a delivery at around 9 p.m. when he hit two people in the southbound lane of Route 9 with his 2009 Hyundai Sonata as they crossed the street from Frederick Drive, said Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

One of the pedestrians, Denise Iesals, 49, of Bayville, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other person hit, Nelson Negron Jr., 51, of Little Egg Harbor, was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he is in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon.

Preliminary information gathered by investigators found that Aguilar was looking down and counting the money he just received from a delivery to determine his tip. When he looked back up at the road, he saw Iesals in front of his car but was unable to avoid hitting her, Della Fave said.

With Aguilar's permission, investigators checked his cellphone to see if he was using it prior to the crash but they determined he was not, Della Fave said.

Aguilar was unaware he hit another person until he exited his car and saw two people lying on the roadway unconscious, Della Fave said.

Based on the preliminary information, investigators determined Aguilar was distracted and failed to stop for pedestrians who were using a designated crosswalk, according to Della Fave.

He said criminal charges may be filed against Aguilar after the prosecutor's office receives results from a blood test and concludes a full review of the crash. 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Nancy Rizzolo, of Wenonah, was traveling with Guy Rizzolo, 58, also of Wenonah, when the head-on accident along Route 70 occurred.

PEMBERTON TWP. -- An 80-year-old Gloucester County woman was killed late Saturday following a two-car accident, according to trentonian.com.

Nancy Rizzolo, of Wenonah, was traveling with Guy Rizzolo, 58, also of Wenonah, when the head-on accident along Route 70 occurred at around 9:15 p.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report. Attempts to reach Pemberton police Sunday afternoon were unsuccessful.

Per the report, Bryan Hansen, 26, of Toms River, was driving a Honda Civic along Lakehurst Road and allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign. He then struck the Oldsmobile Aurora that was traveling west along Route 70.

Guy Rizzolo, who was driving the Oldsmobile, as well as Hansen and a passenger had to be hospitalized. According to the report, Nancy Rizzolo was not wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred.

No charges have been filed and the accident remains under investigation.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

The Rev. Peter Miqueli's resignation comes just two days after a scathing lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of New York on behalf of a group of Bronx parishioners.

The scathing lawsuit was filed Thursday in the Supreme Court of New York on behalf of a group of Bronx parishioners. (File photo). 

BRICK -- A New York City priest who is accused of embezzling nearly $1 million to pay for male prostitution and to purchase a house in Brick resigned on Saturday, according to reports.

The New York Daily News reports that a resignation letter from the Rev. Peter Miqueli was read prior to Mass on Saturday and Sunday morning at the Saint Frances de Chantal Church in the Bronx, where Miqueli served as pastor since October 2012.

Miqueli's resignation comes just two days after a scathing lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of New York on behalf of a group of Bronx parishioners.

A spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, Joseph Zwilling, said in a statement that the allegations against Miqueli are "completely false," but acknowledged an investigation is underway.

"The archdiocese has, from the beginning, taken these allegations seriously, and has been investigating them," Zwilling said. He declined to comment further, saying it's a legal matter that will be handled in court.

Miqueli could not be reached for comment Sunday afternoon.

The court documents, obtained by NJ Advance Media, paint a detailed picture of a Bronx priest who allegedly abused his post to funnel church donations for personal use -- including his home purchase, lavish vacations and drugs.

The suit also names the Archdiocese of New York and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and charges they had knowledge of the alleged decade-long scheme and did nothing to stop it.

According to the lawsuit, Miqueli's embezzling scheme dates back to 2003 when he was the pastor at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini on Roosevelt Island, N.Y., and continued up until his most recent position as the pastor of St. Frances de Chantal.

The lawsuit charges that Miqueli paid a male companion $1,000 for role-playing sessions that included acting out "sexual fantasies" and "bondage/discipline/sadism/masochism" activities. At one point, the lawsuit says, these sessions were occurring on a weekly basis.

Miqueli, who according to the lawsuit never earned a salary of more than $31,000, also used the money to assist with rent payments so the man could live in a Park Avenue apartment in Manhattan.

Among other personal gains, the donation money went to lavish vacations in Italy and Florida, and to purchase a $264,000 home on Cornell Drive in Brick in 2009, the lawsuit charges. 

According to the suit, Miqueli made large payments totaling thousands of dollars for "illicit and prescription drugs" for he and his male companion.

He had a New York home owned by the Cabrini church moved into this name and used a church-owned Jeep for personal use, the lawsuit claims.

In all, Miqueli accumulated nearly $900,000 worth of assets, including money invested in stocks and mutual funds, by 2008, according to the lawsuit.

The Bronx parishioners who filed the suit are seeking compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages. They allegedly suffered "financial and psychological injuries including ... severe emotional distress, confusion, humiliation, fright, anxiety, mental anguish, emotional and psychological damage."

The lawsuit does not cite a specific amount of money they are seeking, but says the amount "exceeds jurisdictional limits of all lower courts." 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

One unspayed female cat and her unaltered offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.

Some notes on homeless animals in New Jersey:

* According to the State of New Jersey Office of Animal Welfare, "it is estimated that the number of free-roaming cats in the United States may be equal to that of owned cats, approximately 70 million. If left unchecked, free-roaming cats will breed and their populations increase at locations where they find suitable shelter and food." The office goes on to note that pet cats that are abandoned will not easily fend for themselves outdoors. Unfortunately, most of these cats and their offspring will suffer premature death from disease, starvation or trauma.

* Among shelters and rescue groups around New Jersey, the top 10 reasons for owners relinquishing a dog are: (1) moving; (2) landlord issues (3) cost of pet maintenance; (4) "no time for pet;" (5) inadequate facilities; (6) "too many pets in home;" (7) pet illness; (8) "personal problems;" (9) biting; and (10) no homes for litter-mates.

Other interesting facts from the Office of Animal Welfare:

* As many as 25 percent of dogs entering shelters across the country each year are purebreds.

* One unspayed female cat and her unaltered offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.

Here is a gallery of homeless animals from northern and central New Jersey. Consider visiting a local shelter or contacting a local rescue group when looking for a pet for your family.

More pets in need of adoption can be viewed here and here

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

Chief Tom Preiser is retiring on March 1 after 35 years in law enforcement, seven of which he's served as chief.

Harvey Cedars police chief Tom Preiser is retiring after 35 years in law enforcement. (Photo courtesy of Tom Preiser).

HARVEY CEDARS -- When you're the police chief of a small town, it's not just a desk job.

When an officer calls out sick, sometimes the chief has to step up and go out on patrol; or respond to a car crash when no one else can.

That's what Tom Preiser, police chief of the tiny borough of Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island, says he's going to miss most about the job. Preiser is retiring on March 1 after 35 years in law enforcement, seven of which he's served as chief.

"I really like working in a small-town atmosphere," Preiser said in a phone interview last week. "There is law enforcement work that you do, but you also help the community and participate in community activities. ... People thought I was crazy getting so involved, but I did."

PLUS: As retirement nears, Brick police chief reflects on 40 years in law enforcement

With just nine full-time officers, Harvey Cedars, a borough of about 500 residents nestled between North Beach and Loveladies, is a small department with a big-department mentality, Preiser said.

"We're probably on par with a larger police department and in some cases, we're a little bit better," Preiser said.

He said Harvey Cedars police was one of the smallest departments to receive accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, an acknowledgement that the department fulfilled "the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective," according to the NJSACOP website.

And with nearly 4,500 followers on Twitter, Harvey Cedars has one of the largest Twitter presences in the country for such a small department, Preiser said.

That especially came in handy during Hurricane Sandy when Preiser said Harvey Cedars was the mouthpiece for information on Long Beach Island.

"That's when our social media became really big," he said. "We like to say we were the leaders of social media on Long Beach Island."

Sandy was also a pivotal moment that displayed how integrated Preiser's officers were within the community.

"We spent a lot of time getting information out to residents," he said. "We would actually take phone calls from people. People wanted to see how their house was doing and we would take pictures and send it to them. ... The guys all took part in that."

Preiser said his department worked countless hours for about two weeks straight after Sandy devastated the Island, which is not far from where the hurricane made landfall. When it was safe to allow residents back on the Island, Preiser wrote the re-entry plan for LBI. 

Climbing the ranks

Preiser grew up in Basking Ridge and graduated from Kutztown University, a small state school in rural Pennsylvania, in 1981. Right after college, he got his first job in law enforcement as a summer temporary officer in Harvey Cedars.

In January 1983, he returned to his hometown and was hired as a full-time officer with the Bernards Township Police Department. Preiser worked there for about five years, and then went back to work for Harvey Cedars in 1988, this time as a full-time officer. 

He was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and then to chief in 2009. Preiser also holds a master's degree in criminal justice from Monmouth University.

Preiser said he learned a lot about the job from the late former police Chief George "Wes" Andrews. Andrews retired from the post when Preiser was hired in 1988, but the two stayed close.

"He (Andrews) would always tell me I would be chief in Harvey Cedars," Preiser said. "And sure enough, here I am."

What now?

Preiser says his retirement plan is to spend more time with his family.

He has a 27-year-old daughter who lives in North Carolina; a 21-year-old son who is graduating from college in the spring; another 18-year-old daughter who is currently a sophomore in college; and he and his wife adopted an 11-year-old daughter who's in middle school.

Perhaps it's no surprise then that some of Preiser's fondest memories as chief are all the times he was able to assist kids in the borough. In a couple instances, he was able to comfort young adults involved in serious car crashes. 

In one case two years ago, Preiser recalls, a woman was on vacation from Pittsburgh during the summer when she totaled the family car. With no way to get back home, Preiser was able to make arrangements to get her back to Pittsburgh safely. 

"We've had cases where we've had injuries to kid, kids in car accidents, those kind of really touched me a lot more emotionally," he said.

RELATED: Harvey Cedars gets prescription drop box for unwanted meds

Detective Robert Burnaford will be sworn in on March 8 at the borough's Board of Commissioners meeting.

Preiser said he's leaving behind a department that is well groomed for success even in his absence.

"These guys train the same way as any bigger department does," Preiser said. "It may be (a) small (borough) but we're still prepared as any town would be. We have all that same stuff that a big town would have, you just don't see it, but it's here."

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

New Jersey is home to at least 128,000 active heroin users, struggling in silence all around you.

The scourge of New Jersey's heroin crisis is closer than you know. 

Today, NJ Advance Media is publishing the result of a year-long reporting project, detailing heroin and opioid addiction in a state where it has run rampant. 

We're calling it Herointown, and it combines the most robust data ever assembled on the state's heroin population with original artwork, interactives and hundreds of stories from the people who are living through it  

So, come with us to Herointown.  You know someone there already, you just may not know it. 

The City

Herointown has a population of 128,000, and its growing faster than any city in the state.

The Dead

Heroin has been blamed for more than 5,000 deaths in New Jersey since 2004. Here is every one of them.

In their Own Words

An interactive collection of more than 200 stories from people who are or have lived through heroin addiction, be they users themselves or their loved ones.

By the numbers

Nine startling statistics that crystalize just how far the state's heroin problem has reached into day-to-day life in New Jersey.

Heroin's spread

This interactive map shows how heroin's scourge has exploded in New Jersey over the last 10 years.

About this project

Learn how this project came together. 

A 21-year-old Ocean Gate man was flown to a Monmouth County hospital Monday after crashing his motorcycle into a Mercedes-Benz.

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP - A 21-year-old Ocean Gate man was flown to a Monmouth County hospital Monday after crashing his motorcycle into a Mercedes-Benz, police said.

Shortly before 12:45 p.m. on Monday, Stafford Township police responded to milepost 69.3 on Route 9, near Ocean Club Fitness Center, for a reported motor vehicle accident with injuries.

(File photo). 

A preliminary investigation determined that a 2012 Mercedes-Benz being operated by Mary Spiaggia, 74, of Waretown, was traveling south on Route 9 and was attempting to make a right turn into a local business when it was impacted on the right side by a 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle operated by Jesse Margaretta, 21, of Ocean Gate, police said.

Margaretta, who sustained arm and leg injuries, was scene by the Stafford Township EMS and MONOC Paramedics and was flown to the trauma unit at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for precautionary reasons, officials said. 

His condition was not believed to be life threatening, police said. 

Route 9 was closed to traffic in both directions for approximately 30 minutes.

The incident is under investigation by the Traffic Safety Unit, any witnesses are asked to contact 609-597-1189 Ext 8436. 

No summonses were issued as of Monday evening, pending the outcome of the police investigation.

Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.