NJ Teen Harassed Victim With Prank Calls, Parked Outside Her House Leading Up To Double Homicide, Lawyer Says

CRANFORD, NJ — The teen boy who police say drove into and killed two girls riding e-bikes in Cranford is now being accused of orchestrating two prank call incidents at one of their homes in the months leading up to the crash.

Vincent P. Battiloro, 17, of Garwood is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and 15 other violations in connection to the deaths of both Maria Niotis, 17, and her friend Isabella Salas, 17, after they were hit by a vehicle along Burnside Avenue on Sept. 29.

Brent Bramnick, the attorney for the family of Maria, and his firm are launching their own probe into what really happened in the months leading up to the killing of the two girls.

The alleged harassment can be traced back to March, when Bramnick says Maria's mother, Foulla, first alerted police to disturbing interactions and attempts by Battiloro to contact her daughter.

She said she gave "formal statements" to the Cranford Police, but it is unclear what was done next.

Later in March, a fake 911 call was made, sending officials to Maria's home. Maria told her mother she believed the call was placed by Battiloro, according to Bramnick.

Bramnick says it is still unknown whether a full and proper review was done to follow up on the call.

"This is the type of horrific event that is simply unimaginable," Bramnick said in an interview with Patch. "This is everyone's worst fear. Foulla and her entire family are devastated."

Additionally, Foulla confirmed to Bramnick that there was no known dating relationship between her daughter and Battiloro, and that the motive beyond this attack is still unknown.

On another night when the Niotis family were inside their home, they said flashing lights kept appearing on their street.

Foulla walked outside, noticed Battiloro's car parked along the road, and called the police, Bramnick said.

Another car then pulled up beside the Jeep, believed to be driven by Battiloro's father, Jeff. After speaking with the younger Battiloro, police told Foulla they were allowing him to leave "in the custody of his father."

Bramnick said it's unclear how much questioning actually occurred before he was allowed to drive off after his father, a former cop with the Chatham Police Department, appeared.

The families of Maria and Isabella both believe this attack was planned for months, which included Battiloro sitting out in front of Maria's house in the Jeep on multiple occasions.

He also allegedly ordered pizza to the house as a prank, said Bramnick.

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Battiloro referenced pulling a similar prank during one of his many livestreams on YouTube, but did not specifically name Maria as his target.

The Cranford Police Department and Union County Prosecutor's Office have yet to confirm the multiple reports of stalking and repeated complaints filed with officials that the Niotis family said they relayed.

Bramnick and his team are requesting body cam footage, dash cams, and private citizen surveillance footage for all of these situations leading up to his arrest.

Even the former Chief of Cranford Police, Ryan Greco, made comments in Bramnick's Facebook group "Cranford TRUTH" asking why Battiloro was released after initially being detained for questioning and then arrested on Oct. 1.

"They definitely had enough to charge this kid that night," NJ Advance Media reports Greco stated in the now private Facebook group. "This individual was allowed to return home, potentially destroy evidence, and perhaps most disturbingly, record a YouTube video that essentially re-victimized the families."

Bramnick said the families just wants answers, and that the Cranford community deserves the same.

"There are serious questions that need to be answered as to what happened that evening," he said.

Following the situation, Cranford's current Chief of Police Matthew Nazarro preached patience to his community and reminded them that "misinformation can spread quickly... potentially hindering the pursuit of justice."

Battiloro is the nephew of current Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro, who has also since condemned the attack in the wake of ongoing speculation online about his family's involvement.

The Cranford community will hold another memorial to honor the lives of Maria and Isabella on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Cranford (11 Springfield Ave.).

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