The New Jersey man accused of killing two ladies informed police he was carjacked — however his personal dashcam footage confirmed him driving to the scene, a felony criticism obtained by Fox Information Digital alleges.
Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, each 17, have been using an electrical bike on Sept. 29, 2025, in Cranford, New Jersey, the place prosecutors say 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro deliberately mowed them down.
He was charged as an grownup Friday.
When detectives introduced Battiloro to the Cranford Police Division, he informed them he had been carjacked earlier that day — earlier than the 2 teen ladies have been killed — by an unknown particular person carrying a purple masks and armed with a knife, the felony criticism alleges.
Nonetheless, sprint digital camera footage obtained by police allegedly disputes his account.
“The defendant said he was driving the Jeep Compass that afternoon when he was carjacked by an unknown particular person carrying a purple masks and armed with a knife,” the criticism states. “Search warrants have been executed on the Jeep Compass, and sprint digital camera footage was obtained from the car. The footage from 9/29 confirmed the defendant stepping into and driving the car to the realm of Burnside Avenue, the place he parked. Shortly thereafter, each victims have been seen on the e-bike heading in the wrong way.”
In response to police, Battiloro’s sprint digital camera video confirmed him getting contained in the Jeep Compass on Sept. 29, 2025, and driving to the realm of Burnside Avenue in Cranford, close to the house of one of many victims.
Shortly after he parked, police mentioned each teen ladies have been seen on electrical bicycles headed in the wrong way.
Detectives mentioned Battiloro then made a U-turn with a view to observe the victims whereas he accelerated.
The sprint digital camera video then allegedly reveals each ladies being struck at a “excessive price of pace earlier than the car finally stopped,” in accordance with the criticism.
Afterward, in accordance with the criticism, Battiloro fled the realm by foot.
Brent Bramnick, who’s representing Niotis’ household, informed Fox Information Digital they’re grateful the case was moved to grownup court docket.
“The choice to strive the defendant as an grownup is a welcomed sliver of justice. We’re grateful to the Prosecutor’s Workplace for his or her efforts in addition to the group at massive for persevering with to maintain Maria and Isabella’s recollections alive,” Bramnick mentioned.
Battiloro’s identification was beforehand withheld as a result of he was a minor when allegedly committing the crimes, however his case was transferred to grownup court docket on Friday.
He’s now charged with two counts of first-degree homicide.
Bramnick beforehand informed Fox Information Digital that the suspect allegedly swatted the household’s house in Cranford twice in September.
He mentioned each incidents happened between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 in 2025.
After the 2 incidents, Bramnick mentioned the Niotis household desires to know “what went on?”
“What investigation, if any, went on in any case that the household reported and all the data that the police had of their possession. That’s the query. So we want these questions answered,” Bramnick mentioned. “And that’s why we’re concerned, as a result of we’re doing our personal investigations to attempt to unravel these questions.”
Foulla Niotis, Maria’s mom, beforehand informed Fox Information that the suspect “deliberate” the assault and thought he was “untouchable” as a result of he had kin working in legislation enforcement.
“I would like justice for Maria and Isabella. That’s what I would like,” she added.
Fox Information Digital reached out to Battiloro’s lawyer and father for remark.
