4th Man Charged With Murder Of South Jersey Detective During Home Invasion

BRIDGETON, NJ — A fourth person was charged with murder in the shooting of a South Jersey detective, marking the fifth arrest in the death of Det. Sgt. Monica Mosley, officials said Tuesday.

Byron Thomas was charged Friday in connection the killing, which occurred last month after assailants broke into Mosley's Bridgeton home, authorities said. State Police and U.S. Marshals arrested Thomas on Saturday.

Mosley was a detective for the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. Multiple people broke into her home and killed her the night of Oct. 15, authorities said.

It remains unclear whether any of the suspects knew of Mosley or whether they entered the night with plans to kill her. Mosley did not know any of the previously arrested suspects, according to their affidavits.

Prosecutors announced four arrests Oct. 28, including three people charged with murder and other offenses: Nyshawn Mutcherson, 29, of Vineland; Jarred Brown, 31, of Bridgeton; Richard B. Hawkins Willis, 32, of Gloucester City.

Cyndia E. Pimentel, 38, of Paulsboro, was charged with hindering, obstruction and tampering with evidence.

Authorities did not say Thomas's alleged role in the incident. Patch has requested records from investigators for more information.

Mutcherson, Brown and Willis got together and dressed in dark clothing before driving to Mosley's home on Buckshutem Road in Cumberland County's Bridgeton, authorities said. They broke into Mosley's home and shot her, but Mosley defended herself by shooting Mutcherson in the chest before succumbing to her injuries, according to court documents.

The suspects fled the scene, dropping Mutcherson off at the hospital, authorities said. They traveled in a black Chevrolet Equinox registered to Pimental, according to court documents. But Pimental is not accused of any involvement before or during the shooting.

In the days after, Pimental drove the vehicle to Philadelphia in an effort to conceal evidence, according to court documents. Willis was in the passenger seat.

Thomas, 35, of Paulsboro, was charged with:

• first-degree murder (purposely and/or knowingly causing death)
• first-degree murder (murder during the commission of a burglary)
• burglary (second-degree)
• unlawful possession of a weapon (second-degree)
• possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (second-degree)
• certain persons not to possess a weapon (second-degree)
• hindering apprehension (third-degree)
• obstruction of justice (fourth-degree)

Mosley joined the prosecutor's office in 2006 as a paralegal specialist. She became a county detective three years later. A GoFundMe for Mosley's family has been launched.

The Cape May County Prosecutor's Office is leading the investigation, since Mosley worked for the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. State and Bridgeton police are assisting.

Anyone with information on this case can contact the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office at 609-465-1135 or cmcpros.net/tips.