Colonia Man Found Dead Near Rt. 27 Was Known to Police

Police are actively investigating the death of a Colonia man found dead near Metropark on Route 27 early Wednesday morning.

The body of Nicholas Sorice, 26, was found by a passing motorist, laying near the curb on Willow Ave. in Iselin, close to the intersection of busy Route 27.

Sorice was pronounced dead at 6:01 am, shortly after the body was discovered by the motorist, who called 911 20 minutes before.

Sorice allegedly had had encounters with police before. 

In October 2009, Sorice was arrested by Clark police on an outstanding warrant put out by the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office. Sorice had been charged with contempt of court. 

Last August, Sorice was , this time, by Scotch Plain police on charges of theft and possession of heroin. 

A Lake Avenue resident had contacted police to report that an unwanted house guest had just taken jewelry and left. Police stopped Sorice on foot at Raritan Road and Quimby Lane in Scotch Plains. After an investigation, they found both the stolen jewelry and heroin on Sorice and he was arrested..

Unable to post a $30,000 bond, Sorice was kept in custody and transported to Union County Jail in Elizabeth.

An autopsy performed by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner's office did not determine an immediate cause of death. Further testing will be done, said Jim O'Neill, spokesman for the county Prosecutor's Office, which is handling the investigation along with the Woodbridge Police Dept.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Galinas of the Woodbridge Police Dept. at 732-602-7321, or Investigator Villegas of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-4428.