Week in News: Man Arrested in Long Branch Standoff Claimed He Was Jesus Christ

Jury Finds DiGilio Not Guilty

Brick- A jury has found Brick resident Anthony DiGilio not guilty of vehicular homicide and assault by vessel in connection with a fatal Aug. 3, 2008 boating accident.

The 1 a.m. accident rocked the Jersey Shore boating community and a subsequent investigation led to charges being brought against DiGilio, who was at the helm of a 27-foot Imperial performance boat when the accident occurred in the area where the Metedeconk River converges with Barnegat Bay in Brick.

Read more on Brick Patch.

Police: Man Arrested in Long Branch Standoff Claimed He Was Jesus Christ

Long Branch- The man who barricaded himself inside a Brighton Avenue home and got involved in a long standoff with the Long Branch Long Branch Police on Monday is facing several charges.

Robert Powers Jr, was arrested and charged with simple assault, criminal restraint, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and making terroristic threats. His bail was set at $32,500, and he was taken to Monmouth Medical Center for psychiatric screening, according to Long Branch Director of Public Safety Jason Roebuck.

Read more on Long Branch Patch.

Seaside Coaster to Soon be Removed

Seaside- The Jet Star roller coaster, which has become a staple of the damage wreaked on the Jersey Shore by Superstorm Sandy, may soon be removed from the Atlantic Ocean, according to an NJ.com report.

Casino Pier, the owner of the amusement that was dumped in the Ocean by Sandy, signed a contract with Weeks Marine, a dredging and stevedoring company based out of Cranford, to remove the coaster in less than a month, the article said.

Read more on Toms River Patch.

Doing Time In A Cemetery On King's Highway

Middletown- Six inmates in orange jumpsuites were in the Old Presbyterian Burial Grounds on Kings Highway in Middletown Tuesday, doing time.  

The crew of low-risk offenders are part of the Inmate Labor Program run by the Monmouth County Sheriff's Dept, and have been working regularly for the past two months in Jersey Shore communities under supervision, picking up debris after Hurricane Sandy, clearing walking trails, painting, doing carpentry and smartening up parks. 

Read more on Middletown Patch.

Toms River Man Charged With Dragging Brick Police Officer, Resisting Arrest

Toms River- A Toms River man dragged a Brick police officer with his pickup truck, then led police on a high speed chase before being located near an entrance to the Garden State Parkway, authorities said.

The incident began at about midnight April 18, when Ptl. Mark Nixon attempted to pull over Ronald C. DeFreitas, 36, who was driving a 2000 Ford F-150 pickup truck, Sgt. Henry Drew said.

Read more on Toms River Patch.