Over a month since he was found dead inside his home, police have made an arrest in the murder of an elderly Ocean County man.
Alan Bienkowski, 54, has been charged in the death of 76-year-old Anthony Verdicchio. Police say Bienkowski was Verdicchio’s neighbor.
The investigation began back on May 13 after Manchester Township police received a call shortly after 5 p.m. reporting that a 76-year-old man was unconscious and not breathing inside his home in the Pine Acres Manor Mobile Home Park in Manchester Township. When they arrived, they found Verdicchio dead inside the home.
Officials say Verdicchio died from multiple blunt force traumas to the head and face. His death was ruled a homicide.
Investigators say Verdicchio was last seen alive on May 12, during the 9 a.m. service at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Cable Avenue in Beachwood, New Jersey.
On Wednesday, police announced that they arrested Verdicchio’s neighbor, 54-year-old Alan Bienkowski. He’s charged with first degree murder and is currently being held on $3 million cash bail. If convicted, he faces 30 years to life in prison.
Police have not yet revealed a motive or the circumstances of the murder.
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