Response Delay 'Tip Of The Iceberg,' Of NJ Police Failures In Double Murder Case, Attorney Says

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ — An attorney for the families of the victims, veterinarian Lauren Semanchik and her firefighter boyfriend, Tyler Webb, says the arrest of a Hunterdon County cop is "just the tip of the iceberg of the many failures" by police leading up to the double murder.

Franklin Township Police Sgt. Bollaro was charged last week with official misconduct and tampering with records in connection with his response to calls for service on Aug. 1. The following morning, Semanchik and Webb were later found murdered by her ex, an NJ state trooper.

"The Semanchik and Webb families are shocked at Sgt. Bollaro’s egregious conduct as charged by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor. We believe this to be the tip of the iceberg of the many failures by the local and state police, which will be uncovered and which led to the murders of Lauren and Tyler," said Attorney David Mazie, who is representing the Semanchik and Webb families, in a statement to Patch.

911 Response On Aug. 1

On Thursday, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office shared a timeline of the events on the night of Aug. 1 when the double murder occurred, which claims Bollaro went to a TD Bank on Route 31 in Clinton Township to conduct a personal ATM transaction.

The bank is in the opposite direction of where two 911 calls were made reporting gunshots and screaming, according to Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson.

The timeline also reports that Bollaro only spoke with one of the three 911 callers before going to Duke's Pizzeria & Restaurant in Pittstown, then the Pittstown Inn, and finally at Locust Grove Cemetery, where he spent five hours of his shift.

The investigation found that Bollaro never returned to Upper Kingtown Road for the remainder of his shift, which ended at around 7 a.m. the next day, said Robeson.

Defense attorney Charles Sciarra shared a statement with Patch on Monday that defended Bollaro's actions on Aug. 1.

"With regard to Sgt. Bollaro, the evidence will show that there were delays in these 911 calls being made and dispatched. The evidence will show that shots fired calls of this nature are a regular occurrence in this community, especially as hunting season is approaching. The evidence will show there are no practice or policies about putting on lights and sirens and responding at high speeds to such calls. The evidence will show that Sgt. Bollaro talked to someone who made a call. The evidence will show he canvassed the area thoroughly," said Sciarra.

Sciarra added that Bollaro, "has faithfully served that community for nearly 25 years is not guilty of anything related to this horrendous killing. This prosecution is unfortunate.”

Lawsuit

The families of Semanchik and Webb are suing the local and state police for their handling of the case before and after the shootings.

Attorneys David Mazie and Beth Baldinger of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman in Roseland, who are representing Semachik's and Webb's families, shared on Aug. 20 the events leading up to the double murder and suicide.

The attorneys said that Semanchik told the Franklin Township Police Department in Hunterdon County of her concerns about Santos' aggressive behavior and sought a restraining order.

"Lauren was ignored by the Franklin Township Police Department. Lauren also reported her concerns to a female State Trooper who worked with Santos, but the State Police did nothing," said the attorneys. "Lauren made these complaints months before the murders and there was ample time for the local and state police to take action."

The attorneys say that the Franklin Township Police Department "turned a blind eye towards Santos' stalking and harassment" because on the night of the murders, three different neighbors called the police and complained of hearing screams and gunshots coming from Semanchik's house.

A Franklin Township Police car was sent out, drove by the house without ever even going in, and did nothing more, according to the attorneys.

The next morning, Semanchik's father, Richard, went to her home to find the bodies of his daughter and Webb, according to the attorneys.

HCPO Takeover Of Franklin Police Department

The investigations into the homicides and the operations of and personnel in FTPD — the latter of which has been under supersession by HCPO since Aug. 7 — are ongoing.

On Aug. 7, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office(HCPO) took over the Franklin Township Police Department after serious concerns were raised about the police department's operations and effectiveness.

Additionally, Franklin Township Police Chief Timothy Snyder and Bollaro were placed on administrative leave by the Township of Franklin at that time.

Anyone with information relating to the homicide investigation is asked to contact HCPO Detective Sergeant David Petelle or Detective Quayshaun Brooks at 908-788-1129. Information may also be provided through the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010.

All anonymous reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. Anyone with information relating to the investigation into FTPD may contact HCPO Detective Sergeant Kelsey Marsh of the Professional Standards Unit at 908-788-1129 or hcpoia@co.hunterdon.nj.us.

Previous Reporting:

• NJ Cop Went To ATM Instead Of Responding To 911 Calls Of Double Murder: Prosecutor
• Top Cops In NJ Town Rocked By Double Murder Removed Over 'Serious Concerns'
• It Was Love At First Concert Until NJ State Trooper's Jealous Slayings: Police
• Long Valley Veterinarian Mourned After Apparent Double-Murder, Suicide
• Community Mourns Lacey Man, Bayville Firefighter Slain In Apparent Double-Murder, Suicide

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