Arsonist bowling alley owner hired hitman to kill officials
Share this @internewscast.com

Insets, from left: Stephen Smink (New Jersey Department of Corrections) and Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae (Cumberland County). Background: Loyle Lanes in New Jersey when it burned down in 2010 (WPVI).

A former New Jersey bowling alley proprietor, previously convicted of incinerating a competitor’s venue, has been found guilty of attempting to murder the officials responsible for his incarceration.

Stephen Smink, aged 62, was found guilty on charges including conspiracy to commit murder, five counts of attempted murder, and conspiracy to transport weapons, according to the Garden State Attorney General’s Office.

Smink owned a bowling alley in southern New Jersey and orchestrated a plot in 2010 with two accomplices to destroy Loyle Lanes Bowling Center to remove the competition. He was later found guilty of arson and received a 15-year state prison sentence.

But Smink was not done with his criminal ways — and this time he went from eliminating rival businesses to trying to take out people.

Prosecutors allege that in January 2019, New Jersey State Police were informed that Smink, while imprisoned, contracted a “cooperating witness” during late 2017 and early 2018 to locate someone to assassinate those involved in his arson conviction. His targets included Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, First Assistant Prosecutor Harold Shapiro, two Superior Court judges, and an assistant prosecutor who originally sent him to prison.

Investigators discovered that before recruiting the witness, Smink had engaged a member of the imprisoned Latin Kings gang to execute the murders. However, this individual passed away before completing the task.

He even had his mother, now deceased, help him out by having her “write correspondence in furtherance of the conspiracy on his behalf,” prosecutors said. Smink apparently sold off some of his sports memorabilia to pay for the hits, and the witness set up a meeting between Smink and an undercover cop.

“If everybody was together, wipe the whole place out and kill everybody it just looks like somebody making an assault, a gangs meeting,” he told the cop.

He also said: “If somebody shot up the place it looks like the gang getting retribution.”

Smink was convicted on Aug. 15. He now faces 30 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Sept. 26.

“This conviction sends a clear message: anyone who conspires to harm government officials will be brought to justice,” said Col. Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The safety of those who serve the public is non-negotiable, and this outcome reflects the outstanding work of the detectives who pursued this case with unwavering commitment. Their efforts not only protected lives but also upheld the integrity of our democracy.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Sheriff’s Deputy Accused of Assaulting and Threatening Woman in Domestic Dispute

Inset: Tyler Wood (Muncie Police Department). Background: The residential street near where…

Tragic Stalking Case: Man Crosses State Lines, Shoots Ex-Girlfriend’s New Partner, and Abducts Her

Background: An apartment complex located in the 700 block of Forest Hills…

Homeless Man’s Arrest for Newberry Road Encampment Blaze Sparks Major Brush Fire Incident

Staff report Updated at 4 p.m. on January 2 with bail information.…

Authorities Shift Focus to Recovery Effort for Missing Autistic Teen Feared to Have Fallen in River

In a somber update, Indiana police announced on Friday that the search…

Joseph Scott Morgan: A Look at the Top Four ‘BODY BAGS’ Episodes of 2025

“Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan” – 2025’s Most Popular Episodes 4.…

Authorities Report: Couple Allegedly Used Household Items, Including a Curtain Rod and Extension Cord, to Discipline Children

Background: The 600 block of East King Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Google…

Tragic Discovery: Cheerleader’s Infant Found Deceased, Grand Jury to Review Case

New developments have surfaced in the case of a 21-year-old University of…

Mother Pursues Suspect After Car Theft, 2-Year-Old Injured in Shooting Incident, Police Report

Inset: Landrick Ruffin (Baton Rouge Police Department). Background: The street where Ruffin…

Tragic Discovery: Missing 4-Year-Old Boy Found Deceased Near Father’s Residence

In a tragic turn of events, authorities confirmed on Friday that a…

Urgent FBI Alert: $50K Reward for Tips on California Fugitive Linked to Murder & Missing Children

A $50,000 reward is currently available for tips that could help locate…

Chaos Erupts: Woman Sets Walmart Cribs on Fire with Camping Fuel, $5 Million in Damage on New Year’s Eve

Background: The Walmart located at 1275 Lake Ave. in Woodstock, Illinois (Google…

New Year’s Day Shocker: Woman’s Startling Comments After Alleged Stabbing of Boyfriend

Robin Todd (W. Glenn Campbell Detention Center). A South Carolina woman has…