POMONA – A self-described real estate and mortgage broker with an acting career that included an uncredited role on “The Sopranos” has been arrested and charged with shooting a woman in a road-rage case.
Ernest Wesley Heinz, 46, of Port Republic, is accused of shooting a woman in the face during the incident Thursday, Sept. 11, at Stockton University, before fleeing on Vera King Ferris Drive. Stockton was placed under a shelter-in-place order for nearly an hour.
The Galloway Township Police Department issued a press release saying Heinz was charged for the attempted homicide of Maritza Arias-Galva of Galloway Township.
Galloway officers responded to a 911 call from the victim, who said she had been shot in the face by a man in another vehicle. She told police the driver then fled north onto Vera King Ferris Drive. According to police, it was later determined the shooting was the result of an isolated road-rage incident.
Officers attended to Arias-Galva, who was able to describe her attacker as a white male with blonde hair in a ponytail. Additionally, she was able to describe the man’s vehicle as a white Honda SUV.
Arias-Galva was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division (Atlantic City) trauma center. Police said she is currently in stable condition and recovering from the injury.
The investigation eventually led to a suspect identified as Heinz, who was the lone occupant in his vehicle. Police took Heinz into custody later in the day at a residence in the Blue Heron Pines development in Galloway Township. Search warrants were later executed on three residences in Port Republic, a residence in Galloway Township and on two motor vehicles.
He was charged with criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Heinz’s IMDB profile shows he’s best known for his roles in “J. Edgar” (2011), “Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles” (2009) and “Resident Evil 5” (2009).
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
