Brian Tykot is a Monore resident
By:David Koch
NORTH HANOVER An acquaintance of three residents killed in a mobile home park is being held on a $1 million bail and charged with the shotgun slayings of the North Hanover residents.
Burlington County Prosecutor Robert Bernardi and State Police announced on Jan. 10 that they had arrested and charged Brian Tykot, 35, of Monroe with three counts of murder and one count of felony murder for the deaths of Gary Nevius, 49; his brother, Edward, 43; and Jill Fort, 46.
All three victims were residents of the California Village Trailer Park in North Hanover.
Sgt. Al Della Fave, State Police spokesman, said police believe the motive for the shootings was robbery.
"He wanted to take items from the trailer and he took whatever he could get," said Sgt. Della Fave.
Sgt. Della Fave would not comment on what items were taken from the trailer.
The residents were killed between the evening of Jan. 4 and the early morning hours of Jan. 5, police said.
Mr. Tykot was an acquaintance of one of the Nevius brothers, said Sgt. Jack Smith, a spokesman for the Burlington County prosecutor’s office.
Sgt. Smith would not comment on which brother Mr. Tykot knew.
Gary Nevius was the owner of Precision Vision Satellite Inc., a satellite television business in Cream Ridge.
The three bodies were found by a male friend of the victims on the afternoon of Jan. 5, who then went to a nearby diner and contacted North Hanover Township police.
State Police at the Fort Dix Station were notified of the incident at 7:15 p.m. Jan. 5 by Burlington County Central Communications, officials said.
State Police arrived in the trailer park at 7:37 p.m. and met with North Hanover police, who were already at the scene.
Initial investigation of the mobile home by police showed forced entry, officials said.
"State Police did not stop for the four- or five-day period," said Sgt. Al Della Fave. "We interviewed a multitude of witnesses, gathered information and it eventually led to Mr. Tykot."
Mr. Tykot is being held at the Burlington County Jail in lieu of the $1 million bail, officials said.
Mr. Tykot had an initial court appearance on Friday, but an arraignment date has not been set, said Sgt. Smith.