In New Jersey, a man facing charges in the deaths of two young girls initially claimed he was a victim of carjacking. However, a criminal complaint, accessed by News Media, points to evidence from his own dashcam, contradicting his story by showing he drove to the location of the incident himself.
Both 17-year-olds, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, were tragically hit while riding an electric bike on September 29, 2025, in Cranford, New Jersey. Prosecutors accuse 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro of deliberately running them over, leading to him being charged as an adult as of Friday.
When questioned at the Cranford Police Department, Battiloro reportedly told detectives he encountered a carjacking earlier that day, claiming an unidentified individual with a red mask and a knife took his vehicle, as stated in the complaint.
Contradicting his claim, police acquired dashcam footage that reportedly negates his version of events.
Prosecutors have now publicly identified Vincent Battiloro, 18, and confirmed his trial as an adult over the tragic incident involving the 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.
Afterwards, according to the complaint, Battiloro fled the area by foot.
Brent Bramnick, who is representing Niotis’ family, told News Media 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 News Media 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.
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.”
Foulla Niotis, Maria’s mother, previously told Fox News previously 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.
News Media reached out to Battiloro’s attorney and father for comment.