New Jersey Officer Allegedly Involved in ATM and Pizza Shop Robberies

Emergency responders usually head straight into danger, but in a twist, a New Jersey police officer found himself robbing an ATM and a pizza place instead of answering calls regarding what turned out to be a murder-suicide, according to prosecutors.

Franklin Township Police Sergeant Kevin Boraro has been on leave since August 2, when authorities found the bodies of veterinarian Lauren Semanczyk, aged 33, and her new boyfriend, volunteer firefighter Tyler Webb, who was 29, in their residence.

Just a short distance away, the body of former New Jersey State Police Lt. Ricardo Santos, 45, who had taken his own life, was also discovered.

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renee M. Robson stated that Boraro had been assigned to check out three 911 calls made by concerned neighbors regarding Semanczyk but failed to go to her home.

Instead, Boraro reportedly “falsely stated in his report that he reconfirmed the area along Upper Kingtown Road and could not find the source of the shots,” claiming he left the scene about 20 minutes afterward, according to prosecutors regarding the incident on August 1.

However, GPS data and surveillance footage disproved his account, showing that he drove 1.5 miles in the opposite direction to a TD Bank in Clinton Township, as per prosecutors.

After withdrawing cash, he proceeded to Duke’s Pizzeria in Pittstown, where he claimed he was “promoting Semanchik’s neighborhood.” Interestingly, he had briefly driven through that area on his way to the pizza place.

Boraro was later seen socializing at the Pittstown Inn restaurant. Notably, GPS information indicated that he spent about five hours at Locust Grove Cemetery during his shift, from roughly 11:27 p.m. to 4:33 a.m., without any recorded law enforcement activity.

He faces charges of official misconduct and falsifying records.

Boraro’s attorney, Charles J. Shara, stated, “There was nothing Kevin Borrallo did or didn’t do that day that could have influenced or prevented the killing,” adding that the evidence would reveal delays in the 911 calls. Shara mentioned that gunshots in the community are not uncommon and emphasized that his client had served the community faithfully for nearly 25 years without being involved in any crime pertaining to this tragic event. He called the prosecution “unfortunate.”