Arrest Made In 2017 Holmdel Home Invasion Of 'Real Housewife'

HOLMDEL, NJ — Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Grammiccioni announced Friday afternoon that his detectives made an arrest in a violent 2017 Holmdel home invasion, where Claudine “Dina” Manzo, an actress on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey," and her then-fiancee David Cantin were badly beaten, tied up and robbed inside their Holmdel condo. Manzo's $60,000 engagement ring, among other items, was stolen at the time.

Police arrested a 51-year-old Bayonne man and charged him with the incident, but they say a second suspect is still being sought. James Mainello, 51, of Bayonne, is charged with robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, theft, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and criminal restraint. Mainello was arrested without incident Friday morning at his home on Egan Court in Bayonne. He is currently being held in the Monmouth County jail.

Manzo and Cantin said they were grateful to New Jersey police officers for making an arrest after the two-year investigation.

“We are so grateful to the New Jersey law enforcement authorities, whose diligent investigation over the last two years culminated in today’s arrest. Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern for our well-being. We’ve had such a great support system," said Manzo and Cantin in a statement provided to Patch Friday.

Manzo and Cantin no longer live in Holmdel. Newly released today is what was stolen from the couple: A diamond engagement ring valued at over $60,000, $500 in cash and various bank cards.

Patch reported on the crime when it happened in May of 2017: At approximately 10:54 p.m. on Saturday, May 13 Holmdel police were summoned to a townhouse on Banyan Boulevard in Holmdel Twp.

When police got there, the two victims, Cantin, 37, and Manzo, 46, told the officers they had returned home shortly before 11 p.m. that evening. As they opened the front door of the condo and walked in, two masked men, who were already inside the home, rushed toward them. Cantin was struck several times with a baseball bat, and Manzo was punched multiple times by the other assailant. The couple was then tied up together.

After Manzo and her fiancee were bound, the two masked men stole cash and jewelry and fled the scene. After freeing themselves, Cantin called 911.

Original 2017 Holmdel Patch report: 'Real Housewife' Dina Manzo Victim In Holmdel Home Invasion

In the criminal complaint, Maniello is charged with beating Cantin with the baseball bat and punching Manzo. Police say he wielded the bat, "a deadly weapon ... to cause significant bodily injury."

Both Cantin and Manzo had to be taken to a nearby hospital. Cantin suffered significant facial injuries, including a broken nose. Manzo was also treated for facial injuries. Both have been released.

Banyan Boulevard is part of The Woods at Holmdel condo community, which describes itself as "an upscale pet-friendly community of 111 townhouse-style condominiums" located off Laurel Avenue and Rt. 35.

The arrest was made Friday morning with assistance from the Holmdel and Bayonne Police
Departments and the U.S. Marshals Service.

“I want to congratulate our investigations team and our counterparts at the Holmdel Police
Department for never letting up on finding answers for this crime. Dogged determination and a lot of good old-fashioned police work went into making this arrest possible,” Gramiccioni said Friday.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin Sidley.