UNSOLVED CRIMES

• GARY BUTLER
  HOMICIDE
  On February 26, 1996 twenty-five year old Manville resident, Gary Butler was found dead in a retention pond on North Main St in Manville near the border of Bridgewater and the Raritan River. The cause of death as reported by the Regional Medical Examiners Office was multiple blunt force trauma. The investigation revealed that the victim had been at Perhach’s Bar on Main St. in Manville earlier in the evening on February 25^th shooting pool with several of the bar’s regular patrons. After leaving the bar sometime after midnight he walked a friend home and then returned to the Chester House where he rented a room on the second floor. Sometime between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. the victim managed to travel to the town of Bound Brook. The investigation reveals that Butler was apparently returning to Manville from Bound Brook when he was assaulted.

• JOSEPH SASS
  ROBBERY/HOMICIDE
  On June 29, 2000 (Thursday) at approximately 9:20 P.M., 32 year-old Joseph Sass, a dedicated, well liked employee at the King George Exxon Gas Station, was working the late shift as he has done so many times in the past ten years.  The gas station is located within feet of the entrance ramp to the well-traveled inter-state highway #78 and King George Road, in the upscale community of Bernards Township, Somerset County, New Jersey.

  On the night of the robbery/homicide several witnesses reported that a black male subject approached the gas station on foot from the south side entrance (nearest to Route #78) and entered the vending machine area of the station.  This suspect was further described as approximately 5’9” to 6’1” tall, thin build, dark complexion and between 20 to 30 years old.

  Witnesses reported that the suspect male engaged in a brief conversation with the attendant about the vending machines taking dollar bills.  The witnesses then reported that the suspect asked Sass for change at which time the attendant removed a large quantity of bills from his pocket.  The suspect then produced a handgun and demanded that Sass give him all the money.  After the attendant complied the suspect shot the victim in the head at point blank range. As Joseph Sass lie dying in a pool of blood the suspect walked briskly out of the station in the same direction as he entered moments earlier. Witnesses then observed a late model, dark colored commercial type van fleeing the area and proceeded west bound onto Route #78.

  The community of concerned citizens has posted a $37,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Joseph Sass. (A composite drawing of the suspect is attached)  Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at 908-575-3393 or the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office TIPS Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).  All calls are kept strictly confidential.
  CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE 
  

• SHARON THOR
  HOMICIDE
  On a Tuesday afternoon October 26, 1982 at about 5:30 p.m. sixteen year-old Sharon Thor was preparing to leave her Franklin Township home for her twice weekly ballet dance lesson three miles away in Bound Brook when the phone rang. This was not an unusual occurrence at the Thor household where Frank and Sonia Thor lived with their five children who ranged in age from nine to twenty-one. Frank Sr. was relaxing in the living room and Sharon's mother, Sonia, was hustling about in the kitchen. Sharon answered the phone and appeared to be pleasantly surprised to hear from the caller according to her mother. Sharon took the phone and stretched the cord to its limit so that she could nestle herself in the cellar stairway in an attempt to secure some privacy. The conversation was brief and soon after hanging up the phone Sharon hurried out of the house remarking to her mother that she would be right back. It was understood according to Sonia Thor that Sharon knew she was due to leave for her dance lesson within fifteen minutes. At about the same time a neighborhood youth was playing in his front yard and observed Sharon enter the passenger side of a vehicle that had pulled up along side of her house. The vehicle was described as old and dirty looking with a loud muffler with something possibly covering the inside of the rear window. Witnesses stated that the vehicle backed up as if not familiar with the area and drove in front of the Thor residence. According to the witness the vehicle was driven by a white male with dark colored hair. This was the last time that Sharon Thor was seen alive.  When Sharon failed to return home in time for her dance lesson the Franklin Township Police were notified and an investigation into Sharon’s disappearance was initiated.

  Three days later on October 29, 1982 a search team discovered Sharon’s lifeless body in a wooded area less than a quarter mile from her home. This area was maintained by the local utility company as a right of way and a dirt access road passed within fifty feet of where Sharon was found. This area was also popular to local teenagers who would hunt, ride dirt bikes, party and just meet friends to socialize on a regular basis. Although the area was posted as off limit to private vehicles neighbors often reported a continuous flow of unauthorized vehicles in the area. An attempt was made to conceal the victim by covering her body. An autopsy was conducted and determined that the cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma.

• TAMARA TIGNOR
  HOMICIDE
  At approximately 5:00 p.m. on November 4, 1997 the body of an unidentified white female was discovered lying on a dirt cul-de-sac off of Gilbride Rd. in the Township of Bridgewater, New Jersey. The victim was subsequently identified as twenty-three year-old Tamara Tignor a known drug user and prostitute who had recently been living in Newark, New Jersey. Tammy, as many people knew her, was also known to frequent the areas of Somerville, South Bound Brook, Plainfield, and Union Beach.

  Due to the remoteness of where Tammy was found it is possible that the person(s) responsible for her death may have close ties to the area due to their familiarity with this location. There is also a strong possibility that Tamara was murdered at some other location and subsequently transported to the Gilbride Rd. area and disposed of from a vehicle.

  If you have any information regarding the above unsolved crimes,
   Click Here