A New Jersey man accused of killing two teenage girls allegedly told police he was carjacked, but dashcam footage from his own vehicle appears to contradict his account. Vincent Battiloro, 18, was charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17.
The two girls were riding an electric bike on September 29 in Cranford, New Jersey, when prosecutors say Battiloro intentionally struck them with his vehicle. According to the criminal complaint, Battiloro told detectives that he had been carjacked earlier that day by an unknown person wearing a red mask and armed with a knife.
However, dashcam footage obtained by police allegedly shows Battiloro driving the vehicle to the scene of the crime. The footage reportedly shows him getting into the vehicle, driving to the area of Burnside Avenue, and parking. Shortly after, the two victims were seen on their electric bicycles heading in the opposite direction.
The complaint alleges that Battiloro made a U-turn and accelerated to follow the victims, and the dashcam video shows both girls being struck at a high rate of speed. The vehicle ultimately stopped, and Battiloro fled the area on foot.
The victims' families are seeking justice, and the case has been transferred to adult court. The decision to try Battiloro as an adult has been welcomed by the families, who are grateful for the efforts of the prosecutor's office.
The suspect's actions have raised questions about his motivations and potential connections to law enforcement. The families of the victims have previously reported incidents of harassment and intimidation, including allegations that Battiloro had relatives working in law enforcement.
The investigation into the killings is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crime. The families of the victims are advocating for justice and seeking answers about the events leading up to the tragedy.
