NJ Police Chief Preaches Patience In Aftermath Of Teen Slayings

CRANFORD, NJ — As his fractured community tries to make sense of the brutal killing on two teenage girls on Sept. 29, Chief of Police Matt Nazarro spoke directly to the community Tuesday night with a message of patience, justice and a plea to stop spreading rumors online.

Nazarro spoke at the Township Committee meeting on Tuesday night following a moment of silence for the girls.

This, after rumors have continued to grow online in the aftermath of the deaths of 17-year-olds Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas and their connection to their alleged killer. The former Cranford High School students when a Jeep ran them down while they were riding electronic bikes.

"The murder of two teenage girls, Maria and Isabella, has deeply affected our community, leaving a lasting impact on many hearts," Nazarro said Tuesday. "We ask for your patience and understanding...as members of the community we share a collective responsibility to seek justice for the victims."

"In times like these, it is important we come together to support one another with compassion and kindness, and united against those who try to use this tragedy to sew their vision," Mayor Terrence Curran added following the invocation delivered by a local priest.

Vincent P. Battiloro, identified through court records as the suspect, has been at the center of internet commentary regarding his alleged connection to at least one of the victims. He is also the nephew of Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro who has since come out and condemned the acts after accusations of his family's involvement online.

After she felt she was being stalked for months, Maria Niotis filed a restraining order against the 17-year-old from Garwood. Her family is calling Vincent Battiloro "a coward of a man, who had been plotting this attack," adding that, "He is not insane, he is competent and meditated."

A friend of Maria's, Tammy Carbajal furthered these claims, telling CBS News, "She made complaints and nothing was done...It's just a tragedy. It's just a tragedy."

In the days since, two teenagers from Cranford started an online petition looking to lower the age required in New Jersey for someone to file, or be subject to, a full restraining order for stalking from 18 to 15.

"We must emphasize the importance of refraining from speculating about the facts of this case on social media," Nazzaro said while speaking at the Township Committee meeting. "Misinformation can spread quickly...potentially hindering the pursuit of justice."

On Sept. 30, Battiloro took to social media himself, and livestreamed himself playing a Major League Baseball video game while fielding a barrage of comments that started immediately related to the deaths of the girls.

As the stream goes on, Battiloro bemoans the negativity he is receiving in the comments, and also appeared to address the legal implications of being online at that exact moment.

"I really don't even know if I should be streaming this right now." he said. "I'm not going to talk about it anymore on the advice of loved ones and others."

Battiloro received 15 tickets relating to the crash and also faces two charges of first-degree murder, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office. It is unclear whether he will be tried as a juvenile or an adult.

Full Statement From Cranford Chief Of Police

MORE FROM PATCH: Stalker Ran Down, Killed NJ 2 Girls On E-Bikes, Reports Say