Tag: South Toms River, NJ
DWI South Toms River Truck Driver Charged After Killing Pedestrian, Leaving Scene: Prosecutor
A 41-year-old South Toms River man is facing charges of vehicular homicide after he fatally struck a pedestrian while driving high on marijuana and fled the scene, authorities announced Monday, Aug. 11.
On Saturday, June 7, at 3:50 a.m., South Toms River police responded to Colgate Drive and found Marie Bellavista, a 53-year-old South Toms River resident, deceased in the roadway, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
An investigation determined Tremel Haskins was operating the cab of a Volvo semi-truck when he hit Bellavista, Billhimer said. Haskins fled the scene but was later lo…
Dealing Cocaine Sends South Toms River Man to Prison: Prosecutor
A 39-year-old South Toms River resident pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute on Friday, May 9, authorities said.
Per the terms of a plea agreement, Angel Perez is expected to be sentenced to seven years in prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
On Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, detectives investigating the distribution of cocaine observed two motor vehicles parked next to each other near the Presidential Apartments, Billhimer said.
Detectives saw a woman exit her vehicle and enter the passenger’s side of the second vehicle, operated by Perez, Billh…
Toms River Wife Believed Strangled By Husband Leaves Four Young Children Behind, Campaign Says
Cheyanne Juarez was a 30-year-old South Toms River mother with four young children, those who knew her said.
Last week, she was strangled with a belt at the hands of her 38-year-old husband, Gustavo Juarez-Perez, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
Cheyanne's death has spread shock and sadness through the community as she leaves behind four young children, loved ones say.
"Cheyanne was one of the kindest, most caring, hardworking, and funniest women we had the privilege of knowing and loving," Rosaura Roustand, who is organizing a fundraiser for Juarez's children, wro…
South Toms River Man Strangled Wife With Belt, Charged With Murder: Prosecutor
A South Toms River man has been charged with murder after authorities say he killed his wife by strangling her with a belt, officials announced.
Gustavo Juarez-Perez, 38, was arrested and charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with the death of his wife, 30-year-old Cheyanne Juarez, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
At 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025, officers from the South Toms River Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an unconscious female at a home on Hummel Driv…
Seaside Heights Voters Reject Merger With Toms River School District: Unofficial Results
Seaside Heights voters rejected a plan to merge the island borough's school district with the Toms River Regional School District.
According to unofficial results, 232 voters in Seaside Heights voted "no" on the merger, while 167 voters said "yes" in the referendum on Tuesday, Apr. 16. The plan would have eventually closed the Seaside district's only school Hugh J. Boyd, Jr. Elementary School.
Mainland voters overwhelmingly approved the merger plan, which would have gone into effect in the 2024-25 school year. In Beachwood, Pine Beach, South Toms River, and Toms River, 7,186 voters sai…
2.25 Kilos Cocaine, $545K Seized From Drug-Dealing Network On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Five people have been arrested in connection with a major drug-dealing network on the Jersey Shore, authorities said.
A multi-agency investigation identified a residence in South Toms River and a residence in Brick Township, as allegedly being utilized by Octavaeous Jenkins, 49, to store and distribute cocaine, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
Additionally, the investigation allegedly identified a residence in Long Branch, as being utilized by Ralph Durand, 56, Krystal Villano, 36, Emily Durand, 53 and Jaiden Durand, 18, to store and distribute cocai…
Pair Charged In Fatal Jersey Shore Shooting During Robbery: Prosecutor
Two men from Ocean County have been charged with multiple offenses in connection with a fatal shooting, authorities said.
Craig Dillard, 56, of Berkeley Township, has been charged with possession of a firearm, several drug offenses, and tampering with evidence, said Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer alongside Berkeley Township Police Chief Kevin Santucci.
George Burke, IV, 40, of Freehold Borough, was charged with robbery, burglary, tampering with evidence and weapons offenses, Billhier and Santucci said.
All charges are in connection with the March 9 shooting death o…
Prosecutor: Jersey Shore Man Sentenced To State Prison For Fatal Shooting Of Beachwood Man, 27
A 32-year-old Ocean County man has been sentenced to state prison for fatally shooting another man in South Toms River, authorities said Monday.
Marcus Samuels, of South Toms River, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of Willie Love, 27, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a release.
Samuels was behind the wheel of a 2004 Dodge Nitro when he pulled up to a vehicle driven by Love, of Beachwood, and fatally shot him near the Community Medical Center on June 8, 2015, Billhimer said.
Love was later pronounced dead at Commu…
Prosecutor: Jersey Shore Foursome Caught In Crack, Heroin, Ecstasy Bust, $14.K Cash Recovered
Four suspects have been arrested on multiple charges connected with alleged drug-deals along the Jersey Shore , authorities said.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Narcotics Strike Force joined police from multiple townships in an investigation that resulted in four suspects being arrested, authorities said.
The suspects were allegedly caught by police in possession of crack and powered cocaine, heroin, and Ecstasy pills, authorities said on Wednesday.
Investigators identified a Barnegat residence allegedly being used by Elex Hyman, 49, and Jaime Steen, 38, to s…
Jersey Shore Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal 2015 Shooting Death, Witness Tampering, Prosecutor Says
A 32-year-old man from South Toms River has admitted fatally shooting another Ocean County man six years ago, authorities said.
Marcus Samuels, 32, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and witness tampering, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.
Samuels also admitted to an unrelated charge of aggravated assault, authorities said.
Samuels' pleas came Friday in connection with the May 2015 shooting death of Willie Love, 27, of Beachwood, in Seaside Heights, the prosecutor said.
Love died of a gunshot wound to the chest at Community Medical Center in Toms River,…
