Bernardsville Man Allegedly Attacked and Left Bleeding at Olcott Square

Neighbor accused and charged in alleged attack shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday in Olcott Square area.

Gun Buyback Program an 'Outstanding Success,' Prosecutor Says

Residents turn in 1,302 weapons, with the Somerset forfeiture fund paying out $133,150.

To Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, the 1,302 rifles, shotguns, handguns and assault weapons purchased over the course of the county's first gun buyback program last week was an "outstanding success." "Why did we do all this? Our rationale, our goal — which is consistent with the Attorney General's policy — was to reduce the risk of injury, threat of accidental harm or injuries, reduce the number of firearms available for the commission of crimes and reduce crimes overall," Soriano said, during a news conference at his Somerville office. "It's all about removing unwanted guns from our community." Soriano referenced the shooting death of a 6-year-old in Toms River Tuesday more than once during the conference, which included a…

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Bernardsville Car Thefts Spur Countywide Reminder About Key Fobs

Somerset County prosecutor's office say thieves can target vehicles with key fob starters.

Following two reported thefts of luxury vehicles from Bernardsville mountain at the end of March, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office has issued warnings to all residents in Somerset County to stress vehicle security and to avoid leaving key fobs in or nearby vehicles with start buttons. The first theft reported in Bernardsville was a Jeep Grand Cherokee, locked but with a key fob inside, was reported at about 3 a.m. on March 27 from the driveway of a home on Mount Harmony Road, Bernardsville police said in March. The second theft reportedly took place between 7 p.m. on March 27 and 8 a.m. on March 8, when a 2012 Lexus SUV RX350 valued at about $50,000 was taken from the driveway of a home on Overleigh Road, Bernardsville police said. …

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Local Police Warn Drivers to Put Cell Phones Down

Bernardsville, Bernards, joining county in extra enforcement during April for drivers using cell phones while driving.

The Bernards Township and Bernardsville police chiefs have said they are joining Somerset County's Distracted Driving campaign with education and added enforcement to remind drivers to put down cell phones while driving this month under a program called "Put It Down 2013." April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month across the country, and Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano and the Somerset County Traffic Safety Alliance are making the program aimed at preventing drivers from being distracted by calls or texts a priority, the prosecutor's office said. As part of the initiative, officers will be on patrol especially looking for violations related to distracted driving in both Bernardsville and Bernards, as elsewhere in Somerset …

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250 Bags of Heroin Seized in I-78 Traffic Stop, Authorities Say

Two Phillipsburg residents arrested, one held in county jail.

Two Phillipsburg residents were arrested Tuesday on multiple drug-related charges after 250 bags of heroin, a marijuana cigarette and other drug paraphernalia were found during a motor vehicle stop on Interstate 78 in Bernards Township, county and township authorities said. Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano and Bernards Township Police Chief Brian Bobowicz announced the arrests of Matthew Castiglia, 27, and Christine Synnott, 26, of Phillipsburg. According to the county prosecutor's office, at about 3:46 p.m. Tuesday afternoon the chief pulled over a 2001 Hyundai Accent being driven by Synnott along I-78 after the vehicle allegedly was impeding traffic by failing to keep right. During the stop, with Castiglia as a front seat …

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Somerset-Hunterdon Burglary Probe Leads to Man's Arrest

Multi-county task force announces arrest of Readington man.

A Hunterdon County man has been arrested on burglary, theft and weapons charges as a result of an investigation by a task force of law agencies in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties. Thirty-two-year-old James Defazio, of Readington, is accused of burglarizing several homes and being in possession of a stolen handgun. The investigation was conducted by law enforcement officials in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, including police from Bernards Township and Hillsborough, prosecutors for both counties said on Thursday. Although Bernards police were part of the investigating team, Bernards Lt. Mike Voorhees said he could not say specifically whether any of the burglary charges facing Defazio at this time are related to reported burglaries within …

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Skeletal Remains in Green Brook Said to be Long Hill Man

Joseph Williams of Gillette was reported missing in 2006.

Sketch Released of Man Wanted for Home Invasion

Two alleged intruders sought in Bernardsville incident on Ballantine Road.

A composite sketch has been released of one of the two armed men who broke into a Bernardsville home on Ballantine Road Wednesday night, but fled when encountered by the homeowner, authorities said. The sketch was released Friday afternoon by Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Stuart A. Buckman and Bernardsville Police Kevin Valentine. No one was injured during the home invasion, according to a statement released Thursday from Soriano. Soriano said Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, Inc. is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the individuals involved. One man is described as being white, between the ages of 20 to 30, approximately 5-…

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Driver Drunk in Fatal Crash, Had Open Container, Prosecutor Says

Tests ordered to determine alcohol level in Warren woman's blood at time of accident.

A Warren woman accused of vehicular homicide in a crash that killed a Bridgewater man Wednesday night has now been charged with DWI and having an open container of alcohol in her vehicle at the time of the accident, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. Bernards Township Police on Friday charged Warren Lori Weiss, 44, with DWI, reckless driving, driving with an open container of alcohol and faiing to keep right, after further investigation of the Wednesday evening accident that claimed the life Peter Calvelli. Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano announced Thursday vehicular homicide charges had been filed against Weiss. She surrendered herself to authorities on Friday, represented by attorney John McDonald, and was freed after posting $…

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