Bergen Man, RHONJ Ex-Husband Charged In Baseball Bat Invasion

HOLMDEL, NJ — A Monmouth County Grand Jury has indicted a Franklin Lakes man who was previously named as an accomplice in the 2017 home invasion of "Real Housewives Of New Jersey" star Claudine "Dina" Manzo and her then-fiance David Cantin in Holmdel, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Thomas Manzo, 56, along with James Mainello, 53, of Bayonne, has been indicted for his role as an accomplice to 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 in connection with the home invasion, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Thomas Manzo is the ex-husband of the "Real Housewives" star. He was indicted in 2020 for allegedly hiring a hit on her then-boyfriend in exchange for a "deeply discounted" wedding reception to be held at Brownstone Restaurant in Paterson, which is owned by Manzo.

At around 10:54 p.m. on May 13, 2017, officers from the Holmdel Township Police Department responded to a report of a home invasion robbery at a townhouse on Banyan Boulevard.

Manzo, then 45, and Cantin, then 37, arrived home at their townhouse and were confronted by two men who were in the house, prosecutors said. One man hit Cantin several times with a baseball bat while the other punched Manzo repeatedly. The couple then was tied up after the actors stole a $60,000 engagement ring and $500 in cash and ran away.

Cantin was able to free himself and called the police, and he and Manzo were taken to the hospital for treatment. He suffered significant facial injuries, including a broken nose, and Manzo was treated for facial injuries. Both were treated and released that night, prosecutors said.

Banyan Boulevard is part of The Woods at Holmdel condo community, which describes itself as "an upscale pet-friendly community of 111 townhouse-style condominiums" located off Laurel Avenue and Rt. 35.

Previous Coverage: 'Real Housewife' Dina Manzo Victim In Holmdel Home Invasion

Manzo is also charged as the sole actor in two counts of fourth degree stalking related to the same two victims. Manzo reportedly turned himself in and will be held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) in Freehold pending his first appearance in the Monmouth County Superior Court.

A detention hearing is slated to be scheduled following the first appearance to determine if Manzo will be released or detained pending trial.

Initial investigation led to the arrest and charging of assailant Mainello in May 2019. The ongoing four-year investigation ultimately uncovered Manzo’s role in stalking both victims and his motivations for the robbery and assault carried out by Mainello and another still unknown assailant.

If convicted of first-degree robbery, the men face up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison, subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring them to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. They would also be under parole supervision for five years following release from state prison.

If convicted of second-degree aggravated assault, the men face a sentence of five to ten years in prison. A third-degree conviction 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 Det. Eric Hernando of the Holmdel Police Department at (732) 946-4400.

Reporting by Nicole Rosenthal and Carly Baldwin.