Police charge residents
with stalking neighbor
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer
HOWELL — Just days after they appeared before the Township Council and denounced Councilman Joseph DiBella for public remarks he made alluding to them and their families, two residents were charged by police with stalking a neighbor.
Stalking is a fourth-degree offense.
Howell police Detective Eric Rice told the Tri-Town News he charged Dominic DeNaro and Jill Brown, both of Pittsfield Road, with stalking a Pittsfield Road resident based on an investigation that followed a 911 emergency call.
Rice said a stalking charge requires "repeated, active events at different locations," and said the events of one day led to his decision to sign the complaints.
Attorney Gary Mason of Manalapan, who represents DeNaro, said the charges are another example of how the DeNaros and the Browns are being victimized. He said the charges are "baseless and malicious."
Mason said he would pursue a case of malicious prosecution once DeNaro and Brown are acquitted.
Attorney Donald Lomurro of Freehold Township is representing Brown.
Brown’s only comment when asked about the stalking charge lodged against her was that it was "insane, absolutely insane."
In speaking about a neighborhood dispute at a recent Township Council meeting, DiBella made public remarks that the DeNaros and the Browns maintain directly alluded to them.
Mason said he would be meeting with Mayor Timothy J. Konopka this week to demand that DiBella resign or be removed from the council. He said if DiBella is not removed from the council, he will file a lawsuit against Howell and against DiBella as an individual.
DiBella told a reporter he had not said or done anything in the matter that he did not stand behind. He laughed when informed of Mason’s request for his resignation or removal and said that would not be happening.
Rice said DeNaro and Brown will be arraigned in municipal court and then the matter will be turned over to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office for further disposition.

