Particle.news
Download on the App Store

N.J. Sergeant Charged After Allegedly Skipping 911 Gunfire Calls for ATM and Pizzeria Stops

Families of the two victims call for maximum penalties ahead of a Nov. 5 court appearance.

Overview

  • Prosecutors say the Franklin Township sergeant failed to properly investigate three 911 reports of gunfire and screaming on Aug. 1 in Pittstown.
  • GPS and surveillance indicate he drove to a TD Bank ATM and spent nearly an hour at Duke’s Pizzeria, then visited another restaurant, before clearing the call.
  • Investigators accuse him of falsifying his report about canvassing, note his body camera was not activated, and cite later hours parked at a cemetery with no recorded activity.
  • The next day, police found Lauren Semanchik, 33, and Tyler Webb, 29, shot dead; authorities identify Semanchik’s ex, State Police Lt. Ricardo Santos, as the killer who died by suicide.
  • He is charged with official misconduct and tampering, faces up to 10 years in prison and $150,000 in fines, is due in court Nov. 5, and denies his actions affected the outcome as families seek maximum penalties.