2 Men Charged In Fatal Berkeley Shooting

BERKELEY, NJ — Two men have been charged in connection with a March shooting in Berkeley Township that killed a South Toms River man in a robbery gone awry, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Berkeley Township Police Chief Kevin Santucci said.

Craig Dillard, 56, of Berkeley and George Burke IV, 40, of Freehold, were charged with multiple offenses in the shooting death of 36-year-old Jimmy Mosley in Berkeley on March 9, 2022, authorities said.

The investigation discovered that Mosley and Burke went to Dillard's house armed with guns to rob Dillard, authorities said. Dillard and Mosley got into a fight when Mosley entered the house, authorities said, and Dillard fired three rounds at Mosley, they said.

Mosley and Burke fled the scene and Mosley was dropped off at Community Medical Center in Toms River. Police responded at about 10:15 p.m. and Mosley was pronounced dead at 10:28 p.m.

The Ocean County Medical Examiner said the autopsy on Mosley showed the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the back that pierced his lung and lodged in his nasal cavity, authorities said.

Authorities searched Dillard's house and found about one-half pound of marijuana for distribution purposes. Further investigation revealed that Dillard destroyed evidence left at his house and Burke also destroyed evidence of his involvement, authorities said.

Dillard was charged with possession of a firearm while engaged in drug activity, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession marijuana, receiving stolen property and tampering with physical evidence.

Burke was charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a firearm, certain person not to possess a firearm, burglary and tampering with physical evidence.

"This was truly a team effort in terms of the depth and comprehensiveness of this investigation. These detectives combed through the evidence and were ultimately able to piece together what transpired in Berkeley Township on the night of March 9, 2022," Billhimer said. "Law enforcement was able to establish very early on in the investigation that there was no immediate danger to the public. From there, these Detectives went to work doing their absolute best to solve these crimes. Every law enforcement officer involved this investigation has my profound gratitude."

On April 6, Burke was arrested at his Freehold home by United States Marshal Service. Dillard was arrested on April 11 in Beverly, New Jersey, by Edgewater Park police officers. Both men are being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Billhimer and Santucci commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department, North Hanover Township Police Department, United States Marshals Service, New Jersey Department of Transportation, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, Freehold Borough Police Department, Edgewater Park Township Police Department and Ocean County Motor Vehicle Services, for their collective and cooperative assistance in connection with this investigation.