FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County Grand Jury has returned a seven-count Indictment charging a Bayonne man for his role in the 2017 Holmdel home invasion robbery of David Cantin and his then-fiancée Claudine “Dina” Manzo, a former reality-TV personality on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Official say Mr. James Mainello, 51, of Bayonne, is charged in the Indictment with first-degree Robbery; second-degree Burglary; second-degree Aggravated Assault; third-degree Aggravated Assault; third-degree Theft; third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; and third-degree Criminal Restraint.
Mainello was arrested in May and is being held pending trial in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township.
Holmdel Police responded to a 911 call reporting a home invasion robbery about 10:54 p.m. on May 13, 2017, at a townhouse on Banyan Boulevard in the township. Police arrived on scene to find two victims, David Cantin, then-37, and Dina Manzo, then-45.
Officials sat the victims reported that after arriving home they were confronted by two men who were already inside the house. One of the two men struck Cantin several times with a baseball bat while Manzo was punched multiple times by the other assailant. The two victims were then bound together within the home.
The attackers then fled the residence after stealing cash and jewelry.
Cantin was able to free himself and called police, who arrived shortly thereafter. Both victims were subsequently taken to a local hospital for treatment. Cantin suffered significant facial injuries, including a broken nose. Manzo was also treated for facial injuries. Both were treated and released that night. Holmdel Police contacted the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and a joint investigation was launched, culminating in charges against Mainello. A second suspect remains at-large.
If convicted of a first degree crime, Mainello faces up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison on each count, subject to the provisions of the “No Early Release Act” (NERA) requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. He would also be under parole supervision for five years following his release from state prison.
If convicted of a second degree offense, Mainello faces a sentence of five to ten years in prison. A third degree convict carries a custodial sentence of three to five years in prison.
Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact Detective Wayne Raynor of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443, or Detective Eric Hernando of the Holmdel Police Department at 732-946-4400.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin Sidley.