Ex-Daycare Owner’s Vile Attack on Amazon Driver Ends With Hate Crime Charges
John Vincentini, 62, is accused of threatening to shoot the driver for coming into a “racist neighborhood.”
Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
A man in New Jersey has been charged with a hate crime for allegedly harassing an Amazon delivery driver and threatening to shoot him.
The Ocean City County prosecutor’s office said Thursday that John Vincentini, 62, had been charged with bias intimidation and terroristic threats after allegedly telling the driver that he would shoot him for coming into a “racist neighborhood.”
Vincentini allegedly trailed the driver as he was making deliveries to Lacey Township in the Jersey Shore area on Sept. 5, according to a release from the prosecutor’s office. As the driver pulled into a cul-de-sac, Vincentini allegedly blocked him then approached him and asked why he was in the area. He questioned if the delivery person was aware that he was in a racist area, prosecutors said. Then, Vincentini allegedly asked the driver if Vincentini should go back to his vehicle to get his gun and shoot him.
The Amazon driver, whose identity was not disclosed, left after the confrontation and called Lacey Township police.
Vincentini turned himself in on Oct. 5. Facebook photos of Vincentini published by New Jersey 101.5 show him holding a large black rifle while sitting on a motorbike.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Ocean City County prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said hate would not be tolerated in the county.
“Individuals that employ hatred, intolerance, and prejudice with a purpose to intimidate will be investigated, and if warranted—prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
According to New Jersey state records, Vincentini and his wife, Karen, owned the Forever Young Nursery School in Forked River until earlier this year. The center specializes in childcare for infant and toddlers, according to its Facebook page. The Vincentinis are still listed as the owners of the daycare’s property. However, when contacted by phone on Friday, an employee told The Daily Beast that the man did not own the daycare and hung up when asked who the owners were.
Vincentini did not immediately respond to The Daily Beast’s request for comment Friday.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.