Motel Stabbing, School Threats, Deadly Dirt Bike Crash: NJ Weekend

NEW JERSEY — A cell phone fight prompted a stabbing, two school districts canceled classes over online threats and a dirt bike and a motorcycle collided in the shoulder of the parkway, killing a rider.

Here are the headlines from across the Garden State over the weekend:

Man Stabbed Repeatedly Over Cell Phone Dispute

An Eatontown man was arrested after a stabbing Sunday morning at the Economy Inn Motel on Route 35 that was prompted by a fight over a cell phone, Wall Police said.

Eatontown resident Geraldo Voglino, 37, was arrested after stabbing a 50-year-old man from Hampton, Virginia multiple times with a knife and then fleeing the scene, police said.

Officers Injured When Answering Domestic Violence Call

Two Haddonfield Police officers were injured as they tried to intervene in a domestic violence incident over the weekend, authorities said.

On Friday, the two officers responded to a home on Jefferson Avenue for a report of a domestic violence incident in progress.

While speaking to the parties involved, the suspect became combative towards the officers. A physical altercation ensued after which officers were able to take the man into custody, authorities said.

As a result of the altercation, Sgt. Richard Walker suffered a broken ankle and other minor to moderate injuries. He was taken to Cooper University Hospital and released after treatment.

Officer Rebecca Small sustained minor injuries and was treated at the police station. Both are expected to make a full recovery.

The man was remanded to the Camden County Jail. He was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer causing serious bodily injury, resisting arrest, throwing bodily fluids at a police officer and other offenses.

Authorities did not release the name of the man to protect the identity of the victim of domestic violence.

Schools Shut Down Over Online Threats

Three minors are in police custody after they made online threats to several schools in New Jersey, Harrison Township Police said.

As a result of the threats, two schools are closed on Monday, and others will have enhanced police presence.

A multi-jurisdictional investigation led to police nabbing one juvenile from Woodbury, one juvenile from Glassboro, and a 15-year-old from Mullica Hill, Harrison Police said.

The threats were made against Woodbury Public Schools, Deptford Township School District, Haddon Heights School District and Glassboro Public Schools.

Woodbury Schools and Deptford School District are closed on Monday, to allow authorities to investigate.

“After carefully reviewing the progress of the investigation with our security team and law enforcement this evening, I have decided to close schools for Monday, September 9, 2024, out of an abundance of caution and for the safety and security of our entire Deptford Spartan Community,” Kevin M. Kanauss, Superintendent of Deptford Schools said in a community message.

Administrators at Woodbury Schools said that while the threat was not “deemed credible” schools will still be closed as a precaution.

“While the threat was not deemed credible, we prioritized the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families throughout the process. This guided our decision to close the schools and cancel all activities for the day,” Superintendent Andrew T Bell Sr. Said. “We understand that this situation caused inconvenience to our community, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone involved.”

There will be extra security in and around all of the schools in Glassboro, police said.

Motorcyclist Killed, Dirt Biker Injured In Parkway Crash

A Beachwood man died and a Toms River man was seriously injured in a crash involving a motorcycle and a dirt bike on the Garden State Parkway in Toms River on Sunday, according to New Jersey State Police.

Antonio Caprara, 26, of Beachwood, died at the scene of the crash that happened about 1 p.m. at milepost 81.7 southbound on the Parkway, NJ State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said.
Lenny Ritorto, 49, of Toms River, sustained serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital, Lebron said.

Officers Save Infant From Choking

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office recently released body-worn camera (BWC) footage from Hightstown where Officers Daniel Abbatemarco and Kenneth Larsen saved the life of a choking infant.

The incident is from March 31 and the footage is being shared with the public as part of the BWC Wins program.

The officers arrived at the scene and immediately began giving the infant back blows. A few minutes later, the infant begins to breathe.

“Every day, officers face critical situations that the public would never learn about if not for body worn cameras. The BWC Wins program aims to create more transparency by highlighting body worn camera footage of officers during their daily duties,” Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton said.

“By showing the community footage provided to the prosecutor’s office by police departments in the county demonstrating how these police encounters are handled, it is our goal to strengthen trust between citizens and law enforcement within Mercer County.”

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