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The New Jersey man accused of killing two girls told police he was carjacked — but his own dashcam footage showed him driving to the scene, a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital alleges.
Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, were riding an electric bike on Sept. 29, 2025 in Cranford, New Jersey, where prosecutors say 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro intentionally mowed them down. He was charged as an adult Friday.
When detectives brought Battiloro to the Cranford Police Department, he told them he had been carjacked earlier that day — before the two teen girls were killed — by an unknown person wearing a red mask and armed with a knife, the criminal complaint alleges.
However, dash camera footage obtained by police allegedly disputes his account.
TEEN MURDER SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY SWATTED VICTIM’S HOME WEEKS BEFORE DEADLY HIT-AND-RUN: LAWYER
Vincent Battiloro, 18, was publicly identified after prosecutors announced he will be tried as an adult in connection with the deaths of two New Jersey teenagers. (VinnieBat118/YouTube)
“The defendant stated he was driving the Jeep Compass that afternoon when he was carjacked by an unknown individual wearing a red mask and armed with a knife,” the complaint states. “Search warrants were executed on the Jeep Compass, and dash camera footage was obtained from the vehicle. The footage from 9/29 showed the defendant getting into and driving the vehicle to the area of Burnside Avenue, where he parked. Shortly thereafter, both victims were seen on the e-bike heading in the opposite direction.”
According to police, Battiloro’s dash camera video showed him getting inside the Jeep Compass on Sept. 29, 2025, and driving to the area of Burnside Avenue in Cranford, near the home of one of the victims. Shortly after he parked, police said both teen girls were seen on electric bicycles headed in the opposite direction.
Two teenagers were killed in a hit-and-run. The teenage suspect has been charged as an adult. (GoFundMe and FOX 5)
Detectives said Battiloro then made a U-turn in order to follow the victims while he accelerated. The dash camera video then allegedly shows both girls being struck at a “high rate of speed before the vehicle ultimately stopped,” according to the complaint.
Afterward, according to the complaint, Battiloro fled the area by foot.
Brent Bramnick, who is representing Niotis’ family, told Fox News Digital they are thankful the case was moved to adult court.
“The decision to try the defendant as an adult is a welcomed sliver of justice. We are grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office for their efforts as well as the community at large for continuing to keep Maria and Isabella’s memories alive,” Bramnick said.
Battiloro’s identity was previously withheld because he was a minor when allegedly committing the crimes, but his case was transferred to adult court on Friday. He is now charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Bramnick previously told Fox News Digital that the suspect allegedly swatted the family’s home in Cranford twice in September. He said both incidents took place between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 in 2025.
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A memorial was set up for Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas. (FOX 5)
After the two incidents, Bramnick said the Niotis family wants to know “what went on?”
“What investigation, if any, went on after all that the family reported and all the information that the police had in their possession. That’s the question. So we need those questions answered,” Bramnick said. “And that’s why we’re involved, because we’re doing our own investigations to try to get to the bottom of those questions.”
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Foulla Niotis, Maria’s mother, previously told Fox News that the suspect “planned” the attack and thought he was “untouchable” because he had relatives working in law enforcement.
“I want justice for Maria and Isabella. That’s what I want,” she added.
Fox News Digital reached out to Battiloro’s attorney and father for comment.