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Associated Press
3 days ago
- Associated Press
Prosecutor takes over New Jersey police force amid deadly shooting reportedly involving trooper
FRANKLIN, N.J. (AP) — 'Serious concerns' raised over a New Jersey police department's handling of a deadly shooting that reportedly involved a state trooper has prompted a county prosecutor's office to take over the force's daily operations indefinitely. Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renee Robeson announced the move Thursday, saying the Franklin Township Police Department's chief and a sergeant had been placed on administrative leave by the town. The directive will remain in effect 'until further notice,' the prosecutor's office said. The statement said the prosecutor's office 'has determined that supersession' of the force was 'immediately necessary' following an investigation into the deadly shootings that occurred last week in Franklin. The probe 'has raised serious concerns about FTPD's operations and effectiveness,' the statement said, but the office declined further comment on the ongoing investigation. Authorities have said a woman and her boyfriend were found shot to death in her Franklin home Saturday. The woman's ex-boyfriend — a 45-year-old state police lieutenant who had once served with the unit that guards New Jersey's governor — was found dead later that day in Piscataway, a town in neighboring Somerset County. He had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities have said. The woman had ended her relationship with the trooper in September 2024 and had since accused him of harassing and controlling behavior. She had recently started dating the male shooting victim. State police did not immediately respond to a request for comment made Friday.
New York Post
6 days ago
- New York Post
NJ state trooper who killed ex and her new boyfriend was once reported for manipulating overtime rules to juice salary to over $400K, suit alleges
The New Jersey State Police sergeant who shot his ex-girlfriend and her new beau before turning the gun on himself manipulated departmental rules restricting overtime to draw a salary of over $400,000 per year, details in a lawsuit allege. Sgt. First Class Ricardo Santos, 45, committed the heinous slayings after stalking and harassing his ex, 33-year-old veterinarian Lauren Semanchik, according to cops. 3 Veterinarian Lauren Semanchik and firefighter Tyler Webb were shot to death by her jealous ex-boyfriend, New Jersey State Police sergeant first class Ricardo Santos. Courtesy Webb Family The bitter ex followed Semanchik from her job to her home in Franklin Township, N.J. on Saturday night and was lying in wait for her new boyfriend, firefighter Tyler Webb, 29, to pull into the driveway. Santos then killed them both in the house, before he drove some 50 miles away to a Piscataway park where he parked his 2008 white Mercedes and took his own life, prosecutors said. 3 Webb was a longtime member of the Pinewald Fire Company. Pinewald Pioneer Fire Co. But less than two years ago, Santos was allegedly flying high, earning approximately four times the average salary of an NJ state trooper, according to GlassDoor figures. In a 2023 discrimination lawsuit against the State of New Jersey, the New Jersey State Police and three members of the department's top brass, fellow state trooper Claire Krauchuk alleged she was penalized after she divulged that Santos had been cheating the department's overtime rules. Krauchuk reported Santos for violating standard operating procedure by 'adjusting his hours within the e-daily system' so he could get around a restriction capping overtime at six hours, the suit alleges. 3 The killings took place at Semanchik's Franklin Township, N.J. home By using this method, Santos — who was not mentioned in the suit outside of this context — was able to juice his salary to the tune of over $400,000, according to the suit, which was brought by four current and former employees of the department. Santos had not been charged with any wrongdoing, the lawsuit noted. After reporting Santos, Krauchuk was removed from her post in the Executive Protection Unit and from Governor Phil Murphy's detail, in which Santos had also served. Santos and Semanchik dated for approximately three months before she ended things last September. After the break-up, Santos allegedly wouldn't stop contacting her, to the point her mother, Jennie, attempted to file a restraining order against him with the Franklin Township Police, according to NJ Advance Media. However, no restraining order was ever granted. Franklin Township Police did not immediately respond to a message from The Post asking about the alleged attempt at securing a restraining order or whether one was denied.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EMS worker injured after fire vehicle hit responding to call
A police department has asked drivers to stay alert after an emergency medical services vehicle was hit while responding to a call Sunday afternoon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Franklin Township Police said an EMS coordinator vehicle with the Columbus Division of Fire was involved in a serious crash just before 12:10 p.m., according to a social media post. TRENDING STORIES: 81-year-old man drowns in home pool U.S. Marshals release age progression photos of man who escaped from Ohio prison over 50 years ago Rally Against Violence: Group gathers against gun violence after 3 killed in Clark County in 1 day The EMS vehicle had its overhead lights and sirens activated when it got hit by a Honda coupe that failed to yield the right of way. The Honda driver was driving with fake license plates and without a valid driver's license. Medics treated the driver at the scene, and officers cited him. Both vehicles were totaled. Medics transported the EMS Coordinator to an area hospital, the police department said. 'Emergency vehicles equipped with flashing lights and audible signals are responding to urgent situations, and it is imperative that drivers yield to them,' Franklin Township Police said. 'Your cooperation can make a significant difference and help ensure the safety of all.' [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
