By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on February 7, Dylan Panatero, 42, of Toms River, was sentenced by the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., to four years at New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Terroristic Threats in connection with an incident that occurred on August 8, 2022, in Toms River.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that additionally, Judge Palmer sentenced Panatero to seven years NJSP relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Robbery in connection with an incident that occurred in Beachwood on November 2, 2023.
This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act (NERA), meaning that Panatero will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility, OCPO officials said.
According to OCPO authorities, finally, Judge Palmer sentenced Panatero to ten years NJSP relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Assault – also subject to NERA, and seven years NJSP relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Eluding, both in connection with incidents that occurred on November 8, 2023, in Toms River.
The sentences will run concurrently. Panatero pled guilty to all charges before Judge Palmer on December 16, 2024.
Ocean County officials said that on August 8, 2022, Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to a local residence for a report of an assault. An investigation by responding Officers revealed that Panatero threatened the female homeowner and left the residence.
Officers located Panatero at a residence in Beachwood, where he was taken into custody without incident, OCPO authorities said. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
According to Ocean County officials, on November 2, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m., officers from the Beachwood Police Department responded to the Sandcastle Diner on Route 37 for a stolen vehicle report.
Responding Officers discovered that Panatero met with a female acquaintance in the parking lot of the diner and forcibly removed her from her motor vehicle; Panatero then attempted to drive away - dragging the victim alongside, Beachwood Police said.
The victim sustained cuts and abrasions to her arms and legs, OCPO officials say. Panatero fled the area in the victim’s vehicle and was thereafter initially charged with Carjacking, Burglary, Theft, Unlawful Taking of a Means of Convenience, and two counts of Aggravated Assault, according to Ocean County officials.
OCPO authorities said that a warrant for his arrest was issued, and his name was entered in the National Crime Information Center database.
Ocean County officials said that on November 8, 2023, Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle – later determined to be operated by Panatero - after the license plate tag came back stolen by the Bridgewater Township Police Department.
As Officers attempted to bring the vehicle to a stop, the driver accelerated at a high rate of speed, driving recklessly eastbound on Route 37, Toms River Police said. The vehicle continued to travel at a high rate of speed and made an illegal left turn onto Fischer Boulevard.
The driver continued driving northbound on Fischer Boulevard at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour, according to Ocean County officials. At the intersection of Fischer Boulevard and Yellowbank Road, the driver ran through a red traffic control signal and crashed into another vehicle – disabling both vehicles.
According to OCPO officials, officers approached the offending vehicle, at this time, they determined Panatero to be the driver; he was subsequently taken into custody without incident. The driver of the second vehicle was treated on the scene for his injuries.
Panatero was transported to the Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of his injuries; he was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has remained lodged pending sentencing on the present charges, Ocean County authorities.