Cranford, New Jersey – New details have emerged in the case of a 17-year-old New Jersey teen accused of killing two girls riding e-bikes, showing that police were contacted multiple times by his own parents weeks before the deadly incident. Newly released 911 audio reveals growing concerns about violent behavior, domestic conflicts, and alleged stalking in the weeks leading up to the September killings.
Multiple Police Calls Before the Fatal Incident
According to 911 recordings obtained by NJ.com, Jeffrey Battiloro, the father of Vincent Battiloro, repeatedly contacted police during August to report escalating issues involving his son. In one call on August 30, the father warned dispatchers, “He’s getting physical,” adding that police had already been to the home before.
In a separate call on August 24, Jeffrey Battiloro alleged that his son “sprayed me in the face with mace” and took his vehicle. These calls were categorized as “juvenile issues,” but the recordings suggest a pattern of instability and family distress.
Mother Expressed Safety Concerns
Vincent Battiloro’s mother, Judith Battiloro, also contacted authorities multiple times, telling police she was concerned for her son’s safety after being unable to reach him. In one call, she explained that Vincent had been kicked out of his father’s home and might be “wandering the street.”
“I need to know what’s going on in the life of my son for his safety,” she told dispatchers, describing him as angry and emotionally distressed.
The Fatal September Crash
On September 29, Vincent Battiloro is accused of deliberately striking Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both teenagers riding e-bikes in Cranford, with a Jeep Compass, before fleeing the scene. Prosecutors allege the impact was so violent that both victims were thrown more than 100 feet, and one e-bike was dragged nearly half a mile.
Both girls later died from their injuries at a hospital. Vincent Battiloro has since been charged with two counts of murder.
Allegations of Stalking and Obsession
Maria’s family has stated that she had been dealing with ongoing stalking behavior allegedly involving Vincent Battiloro. Neighbors reportedly noticed him parked outside her home for months prior to the killings.
“He’s been parked outside her house for three months,” one resident told reporters. “He was never stopped.”
Family members later said the incident was not an accident.
“This was not an e-bike accident, and it was not a hit-and-run. This was murder in the first degree,” the families said in a statement.
Social Media and Online Statements
Vincent Battiloro, who reportedly has more than 40,000 social media followers, had posted online content discussing an unnamed girl he appeared obsessed with. In a September 23 livestream, he spoke about seeking “vengeance” and referenced bizarre actions such as sending food to her home.
After the deaths, he issued a public statement offering condolences while suggesting “there’s more to the story.” He also claimed he had been bullied over what he described as false allegations.
Questions Over Police Response
An attorney for Maria’s family, Brent Bramnick, has raised concerns about how authorities handled the repeated 911 calls prior to the killings.
“Multiple calls regarding what you could describe as domestic violence incidents — what happened?” Bramnick asked. “Did anybody respond? Did anybody take statements? That’s critically important given what happened next.”
As of Thursday, the Garwood Police Department had not responded to requests for comment regarding their handling of the calls.
A Community Seeking Answers
The case has sparked renewed discussion around early intervention, stalking complaints, and how warning signs are addressed before violence escalates. The families of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas say accountability and transparency are now essential.
“It is now vital that the truth be shared,” they said.
If you have thoughts on how warning signs and stalking complaints should be handled by authorities, share your perspective in the comments below.
