A police chief from New Jersey has confirmed the rumors that he is related to a teenage suspect accused of causing the deaths of two girls while they were riding an electric motorcycle.

Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, were killed in a hit-and-run on Monday evening.

The girls were struck down by a driver in a black Jeep as they returned home from a school function in Cranford, 20 minutes south of Newark. 

Friends have since claimed that the unidentified suspect was stalking one of the teens, although this has not been confirmed by the authorities. 

Speculation arose on social media that Police Chief Christopher Battiloro, in charge of the police department in the neighboring town of Westfield, is connected to the 17-year-old male involved in the tragic incident.

Battiloro released a statement on Wednesday evening, confirming his connection to the teen but clarifying that the teen wasn’t his son. 

‘While social media has made it known that the accused is related to me, he is not my son and not a member of my immediate family,’ Battiloro wrote.

‘I want to make it absolutely clear that neither my wife, my children, nor I, in any way, condone, defend, or excuse the actions that led to this terrible and tragic loss of life,’ he stated emphatically.

The police chief went on to say that he demands full accountability and justice in the investigation and wants the suspect to face consequences for his actions. 

Battiloro also revealed that Salas was his neighbor and he watched her grow up, calling the teen a ‘beautiful, charismatic young lady’. 

‘My neighborhood feels violated and we are grieving. I am writing this to let you know that I stand WITH you – my Cranford friends and neighbors – and that I grieve WITH you,’ Battiloro said. 

He added that although he grew up in Westfield and works at the police department there, his children went to school in Cranford.  

‘I am here for you. I offer you my most sincere, undying love, and any support or assistance that I or the Westfield Police Department can provide as we navigate this difficult time,’ he continued. 

‘We are stronger together. We will honor the lives and legacies of these two young ladies, Isabella and Maria Niotis, together. And we will survive this horrible tragedy together’. 

Authorities haven’t yet confirmed the suspect’s identity since he is a minor. Battiloro’s statement comes as the Union County Prosecutor’s Office officially charged the teen suspect with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the crash. 

The suspect was taken into custody, and an investigation is underway. Authorities are asking anyone with information or surveillance camera footage to contact the office’s Homicide Task Force. 

The prosecutor’s office said they were specifically seeking any footage that captured the suspect’s 2021 black Jeep Compass Utility 4D Altitude 4WD with tinted windows. 

Friends have claimed that the suspect was stalking one of the girls before their death. 

‘She made complaints and nothing was done,’ Tammy Carbajal, a friend of the victims, previously told CBS News.  ‘It’s just a tragedy. It’s just a tragedy’. 

Another neighbor, named Arthur Chi’en, told Fox 5 that the suspect was parked outside one of the girls’ homes for three months. 

‘He was never stopped,’ Chi’en added. 

Union County authorities haven’t confirmed whether the suspect stalked one of the victims prior to the crash. Daily Mail reached out to the prosecutor’s office and the Cranford Police Department for comment. 

As the investigation continues into the horrific tragedy, the community has been left to mourn two young girls. 

Friends, neighbors, and family members gathered for a candlelit vigil to honor Niotis and Salas.

‘It’s just absolutely sickening, like I literally wanted to puke, it was so horrible. I just feel so awful for the family,’ neighbor Amanda Poda told CBS. 

‘Last night, I don’t think any of us had a decent night’s sleep because it could be our own,’ Brandi Schmidt added. 

Niotis was remembered in her obituary as being ‘loved by her friends and family both here and in Greece and she will be dearly missed’.

She was a high school student and worked at a local café, aspiring to graduate and start a career in cosmetology. 

Salas’ obituary noted that she was involved in several clubs and organizations at school and had the ‘voice of an angel’. 

‘She was kind, generous, gentle, and will forever be deeply loved by her family,’ the obituary added.