Howell Resident Charged With Assault Following Wal-Mart Incident

Nicholas D'Ambrosio, 21, of Howell faces several charges from incidents at the Wal-Mart in town as well as the headquarters of the Howell Police Department. 

Detective Sgt. Eileen Dodd said that Sunday at around 2:15 two Jackson teenagers were at the store when they exchanged words with two men. The men then reportedly left and returned to the store where they proceeded to assault the victims. An 18-year-old suffered a broken jaw while a 16-year-old was not injured. One of the victims also had his cell phone stolen after it fell during the incident. 

Dodd said the event was caught on Wal-Mart's surveillance video which allowed the police to identify D'Ambrosio. His vehicle information was also recorded and was entered into the department's Automatic License Plate Reader.

On Wednesday Sgt. Joseph Markulic was on patrol when he drove past the vehicle triggering the reader. While he was unable to locate the car Dodd said a perimeter was established and the vehicle was eventually located on River Road. A 17-year-old was removed from the vehicle and taken to police headquarters for questioning. 

At that time he was issued summonses for reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and improper parking and released into the custody of his mother. 

According to Sgt. Dodd at that time D'Ambrosio also came to headquarters and became disorderly when approached by officers. After being verbally placed under arrest he struggled with the officers attempting to take him into custody. She said the 17-year-old and his mother also got involved in the altercation.

After being arrested D'Ambrosio was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, aggravated assault on a police officer, robbery by force and aggravated assault. He was taken to the Monmouth County Jail with a $27,500 bail with no 10 percent option. 

Marie Dannunzio, 46, was not taken into custody but was issued a summons for disorderly conduct. Dodd said a case was initiated by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, juvenile central, charging the 17-year-old with obstruction and disorderly conduct. 

The investigation into the robbery and assault is continuing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. Nancy Carroll at 732-938-4575.