FREEHOLD – Investigators have made an arrest of one of two suspects sought in the 2017 Holmdel home invasion robbery of David Canton and his then-fiancée Claudine “Dina” Manzo, an actress on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
James Mainello, 51, of Bayonne, is charged with first degree Robbery; second degree Robbery; second degree Burglary; second degree Aggravated Assault; two counts of third degree Aggravated Assault; third degree Theft: third degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; fourth degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and third degree Criminal Restraint.
Mainello was arrested without incident Friday morning at his home and is currently being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township pending his First Appearance at the Monmouth County Superior Court sometime next week. A detention hearing is also expected to be scheduled following his Initial Appearance to determine if he will be released or detained pending trial.
Holmdel Police were summoned about 10:54 p.m. on May 13, 2017, to a townhouse on Banyan Boulevard in the township as a result of a 911 call reporting a home invasion robbery. Police responded and arrived on scene to find two victims, David Cantin, then 37 years of age, and Dina Manzo, then 46. The victims reported that as they entered the front door of to their residence, they were confronted by two men waiting for them inside of the home. The two men immediately rushed towards the pair. 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. While Cantin and Manzo were bound together, their attackers stole cash and jewelry before fleeing the residence.
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 these charges being filed.
The arrest was made this morning with assistance from the Holmdel and Bayonne Police Departments and the U.S. Marshals Service.
“I want to congratulate our investigations team and our counterparts at the Holmdel Police Department for never letting up on finding answers for this crime. Dogged determination and a lot of good old-fashioned police work went into making this arrest possible,” Gramiccioni said.
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, while a conviction of a fourth degree offense carries a sentence of up to 18 months in state 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.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
Andrew B. Brettler, an attorney at Lavely & Singer representing Cantin and Manzo, sent us this statement on behalf of his clients: “We are so grateful to the New Jersey law enforcement authorities, whose diligent investigation over the last two years culminated in today’s arrest. Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern for our well-being. We’ve had such a great support system.”
