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Essex County Sheriff's Office

Essex County Lieutenant Charged With Assault: Prosecutor Essex County Lieutenant Charged With Assault: Prosecutor
Essex County Lieutenant Charged With Assault: Prosecutor David Fontoura, a lieutenant in the Essex Coutny Prosecutor's Office was charged with multiple accounts of assault related to domestic violence incidents, authorities said. Fontoura was charged with aggravated assault, weapons offenses, criminal restraint and making terroristic threats, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said, for incidents that occurred in Nutley between September 2019 and March 2020. The incidents were reported to the Nutley Police Department on Tuesday, Aug. 27, and transferred to Mercer County to prevent any conflict of interest, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office …
Former Essex County Chief Of Detectives Accidentally Shoots Himself: Prosecutor Former Essex County Chief Of Detectives Accidentally Shoots Himself: Prosecutor
Former Essex County Chief Of Detectives Accidentally Shoots Himself: Prosecutor Authorities are investigating after Anthony Ambrose, the former chief of detectives for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, accidentally shot himself on Friday, March 22. The incident occurred at a private office complex in Cedar Grove, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II said.  He was treated and released at a nearby hospital for a non-life-threatening wound, Stephens said. Ambrose joined the Newark Police Department in 1986 and became chief in 1999. He was an undersheriff in the Essex County Sheriff's Office and was public safety director for Newark from 2016 to 2021. A…
End Of An Era: Longtime Essex County Sheriff Not Seeking Re-Election End Of An Era: Longtime Essex County Sheriff Not Seeking Re-Election
End Of An Era: Longtime Essex County Sheriff Not Seeking Re-Election After 34 years, there's going to be a new sheriff in town in Essex County. Armando Fontoura, who was appointed sheriff in 1990 and been elected to 10 terms is not seeking re-election, a spokesperson for the Essex County Sherriff's Office said.  Fontoura is the longest tenured sheriff in Essex County history. Prior to becoming sheriff, Fontoura was a teacher in the Newark public school system and later a Newark police officer, achieving the rank of captain and serving as chief assistant to the police director. In 1986, Fontoura was appointed Essex County Undersheriff.  As sheriff…
Heart Disease Aggravated By Meth Use Killed Newark Suspect Following Arrest: Medical Examiner Heart Disease Aggravated By Meth Use Killed Newark Suspect Following Arrest: Medical Examiner
Heart Disease Aggravated By Meth Use Killed Newark Suspect Following Arrest: Medical Examiner It’s unsettling to watch video of a suspect you know has died. The last moments for Raul DeJesus -- who led Newark police on a foot chase before collapsing near Route 280 -- are no exception. Newark police did nothing wrong during the encounter, a grand jury has found. Among the evidence reviewed by the grand jurors are three police bodycams, one of them worn by the officer who began chasing the 43-year-old Newark native on foot after he ran. Two others graphically document the arrest and the moments that followed as highway traffic barreled by. In the end, what killed DeJesus was heart …
Shock Spreads After Imam Shot Dead Outside Newark Mosque (UPDATE) Shock Spreads After Imam Shot Dead Outside Newark Mosque (UPDATE)
Shock Spreads After Imam Shot Dead Outside Newark Mosque (Update) An imam was pronounced dead after being fatally shot outside a Newark mosque on Wednesday, Jan. 3, authorities said. Hassan Sharif was found by officers responding to the Masjid Muhammad Newark mosque on South Orange Ave., at 6:16 a.m., Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé, said.  Police brought Sharif to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:20 p.m., the Essex County Sheriff's Office said. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said the shooting does not appear to have been an act motivated by bias or domestic terrorism. “We know that in light of global eve…
Police ID Body Found In Creek At East Orange Park Police ID Body Found In Creek At East Orange Park
Police ID Body Found In Creek At East Orange Park A 68-year-old man was found dead at a park in East Orange on Thursday, Dec. 7, authorities said. Frank Vergilio's body was found in a creek at Watsessing Park around 5:40 p.m., Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office said. Vergilio was pronounced dead approximately two hours later. A pending autopsy will determine his cause of death. The investigation is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-…
FBI: Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Guns, Coke, More At Open-Air Brick City Drug Market FBI: Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Guns, Coke, More At Open-Air Brick City Drug Market
FBI: Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Guns, Coke, More At Open-Air Brick City Drug Market Five reputed members and associates of the Sex, Money, Murder gang were charged by federal authorities with peddling fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine at an open-air drug market in Newark. Drugs and loaded guns were seized during the arrests early last month of the quintet, who U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip Sellinger said slung the potentially lethal narcotics from the neighborhood at Kent and Brenner streets. He identified them as Fuquan Williams, 33; Dwight Dixon, 52; Nafee Patterson, 41; Jabriel Mason, 20; and Daqwuan Barkley, 29, all of Essex County. A federal magistrate judge in New…
Escaped Inmate: Essex County Prisoner Captured After 90 Minutes, Police Say Escaped Inmate: Essex County Prisoner Captured After 90 Minutes, Police Say
Escaped Inmate: Essex County Prisoner Captured After 90 Minutes, Police Say An Essex County prisoner was captured after being on the lam for 90 minutes on the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 29, authorities said. The Essex County Sheriff's Office declined to disclose the name, age and reason for the prisoner's initial arrest but said officers began a search at 7 p.m. before he was taken back into custody at 8:30 p.m.
1,600 Heroin Envelopes, 87 Pounds Of Pot, 7 Firearms Seized In Essex County Raids: Sheriff 1,600 Heroin Envelopes, 87 Pounds Of Pot, 7 Firearms Seized In Essex County Raids: Sheriff
1,600 Heroin Envelopes, 87 Pounds Of Pot, 7 Firearms Seized In Essex County Raids: Sheriff Seven firearms, thousands of envelops of heroin, and 87 pounds of pot were just some of what detectives seized in a Essex County raids, they said. The three searches were carried out in Newark and Irvington, leading to the arrests of Jamil Wilson of Irvington and Courtney Conner of Newark, and others, Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura said. Sheriff’s detectives seized 7 weapons including a .22 caliber assault rifle, two 9mm handguns (one defaced), a .44 magnum revolver, a .40 caliber handgun, a .22 caliber rifle, a handgun, and approximately 200 rounds of hollow point ammunition…
3rd Member Of 'Hit List' Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA, Cops Plea 3rd Member Of 'Hit List' Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA, Cops Plea
3rd Member Of 'Hit List' Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA, Cops Plea UPDATE: A third member of a burglary ring that targeted Asian-American small business owners in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware has pleaded guilty, authorities confirmed. Kevin Jackson, 57, of Rahway, was part of a second-story crew that the FBI said worked from a hit list of dozens of homes in four states based on “stereotype and opportunity." One of Jackson's associates told detectives that Asians were targeted “because it was believed that the victims kept large sums of currency and jewelry in their residences,” an FBI complaint says. Notes found in the defendants’ cars …
DUI Essex County Sheriff's Officer Charged In Wrong-Way Crash That Injured 8: Prosecutor DUI Essex County Sheriff's Officer Charged In Wrong-Way Crash That Injured 8: Prosecutor
DUI Essex County Sheriff's Officer Charged In Wrong-Way Crash That Injured 8: Prosecutor An Essex County Sheriff's Officer has been charged in a 2022 wrong-way crash that left eight people injured, during which he had been under the influence, authorities in Hudson County said. Michael Johnson, 36, was under the influence when he drove a Jeep Cherokee east in the westbound lanes of the Route 280 entrance ramp near Harrison Avenue around 11:20 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2022, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Johnson, of Irvington, struck a Chevy Traverse and a Nissan Rogue, leaving eight people injured, Suarez said. He was not on duty at the time of the crash. …
Orange Man Busted With Handgun At Essex County Hall of Records: Sheriff's Office Orange Man Busted With Handgun At Essex County Hall of Records: Sheriff's Office
Orange Man Busted With Handgun At Essex County Hall of Records: Sheriff's Office A 44-year-old Orange man was arrested and charged after he attempted to enter the Essex County Hall of Records with a semi-automatic handgun in his backpack on Monday, Sept. 18, authorities said. Charles Pryor II's handgun was detected in the X-ray machine and was seized by an Essex County Sheriff's Officer manning the security screening post, the Essex County Sheriff's Office said.  Pryor told police he forgot the handgun was in his backpack, police said. Pryor was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit in the second degree. He was transported to the Essex Coun…
Member Of 'Hit List' Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA, DE Cops Plea Member Of 'Hit List' Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA, DE Cops Plea
Member Of 'Hit List' Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA, DE Cops Plea UPDATE: A burglar from a crew that targeted Asian and Asian-American small business owners in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware took a deal from the government rather than risk the outcome of a trial, federal authorities said. James Hurt, 47, of New York, was part of a second-story outfit that the FBI said worked from a hit list of dozens of homes in four states based on “stereotype and opportunity." One of Hurt's associates told detectives that Asians were targeted “because it was believed that the victims kept large sums of currency and jewelry in their residences,” an FBI c…
Trio Arrested For Weapons Charges In Newark After Police Spot Drug Sale: Authorities Trio Arrested For Weapons Charges In Newark After Police Spot Drug Sale: Authorities
Trio Arrested For Weapons Charges In Newark After Police Spot Drug Sale: Authorities Three people were arrested in Newark and hit with weapons and narcotics charges after officers observed a drug sale on Wednesday, July, 26, authorities said. The drug sale occurred while sheriff's officers were on patrol at Virginia Street and Frelinghuysen Avenue, the Essex County Sheriff's Office said. After observing the sale, police initiated a motor vehicle stop on Evergreen Avenue, the Essex County Sheriff's Office said. A search of the vehicle uncovered a handgun, assault rife, narcotics, drug paraphernalia and $626 in cash, the Essex County Sheriff's Office said The three …
Sherriff's Office Offering $10K Reward For Info On Essex County Bias Crimes Sherriff's Office Offering $10K Reward For Info On Essex County Bias Crimes
Sherriff's Office Offering $10K Reward For Info On Essex County Bias Crimes The Essex County Sheriff's Office is hoping a new reward will allow them to find the people responsible for recent bias crimes that have plagued West Orange. The sheriff office's Crime Stoppers Program is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the vandalism at Harper's Café and the threatening phone call another business owner received last week.  Suspects twice smashed a window at Harper's Café in West Orange on Wednesday, July 12 and Thursday, July 13, because they were flying a pride flag, authorities said. Blac…
Coyote Attack, Sightings Close Two North Jersey Parks Coyote Attack, Sightings Close Two North Jersey Parks
Coyote Attack, Sightings Close Two North Jersey Parks In the wake of a coyote attack and coyotes being spotted on the prowl, two North Jersey parks are closed to the public. On Saturday, July 1, the Town of Westfield announced it is closing Brightwood Park after an aggressive coyote was spotted. The Westfield Police Department and Westfield Regional Health Department are investigating and no injuries have occurred, the town said. Residents are advised to report any coyote sightings to the Westfield Police Department.  On Friday, June 30, a 13-year-old girl was hospitalized after being attacked by a coyote at South Mountain Reservation in…
Coyote Attacks Teen Girl In North Jersey Coyote Attacks Teen Girl In North Jersey
Coyote Attacks Teen Girl In North Jersey A 13-year-old girl was hospitalized after being attacked by a coyote, officials in northern New Jersey said. The teen suffered puncture wounds to her leg around 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, June 30, n Essex County, at South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, a spokesperson for the Essex County Sheriff's Office said. The teen was taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.  Meanwhile, Crest Drive and the dog park were closed at the reservation until Saturday, July 1, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo said. He urged anyone visiting to be "extremely cautious."
Coyote Attacks Teen Girl In North Jersey Coyote Attacks Teen Girl In North Jersey
Coyote Attacks Teen Girl In North Jersey A 13-year-old girl was hospitalized after being attacked by a coyote Friday afternoon, June 30, officials in Essex County said. The teen suffered puncture wounds to her leg around 3 p.m. at South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, a spokesperson for the Essex County Sheriff's Office said. The teen was taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.  Meanwhile, Crest Drive and the dog park were closed at the reservation until Saturday, July 1, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo said. He urged anyone visiting to be "extremely cautious."
Drowning Child Rescued By Officer: Essex County Sheriff's Office Drowning Child Rescued By Officer: Essex County Sheriff's Office
Drowning Child Rescued By Officer: Essex County Sheriff's Office An Essex County Sheriff's Officer played the role of hero on Monday evening, June 19. At Branch Brook Park, a mother noticed her 4-year-old child was missing and notified a police officer, the Essex County Sheriff's Office said. Officers began a search of the area and eventually the mother found her child's scooter near the roadway adjacent to a lake by the boathouse, police said. The mother then saw her daughter was unresponsive and submerged in the lake, police said. The mother and officer jumped in to rescue the child and the officer began performing CPR, police said. The child was take…
Car Thief Nabbed By Essex County Sheriff's Officers: Authorities Car Thief Nabbed By Essex County Sheriff's Officers: Authorities
Car Thief Nabbed By Essex County Sheriff's Officers: Authorities A 20-year-old man from Essex County was arrested with a stolen car and weapons, authorities said. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 10:11 p.m., Essex County Sheriff’s Officers arrested Basir North, of Orange, for resisting arrest by flight, unlawful possession of a handgun, and receiving stolen property among other charges. While stopped at a red light at the intersection of Central Avenue and South Harrison Street, in East Orange, an Essex County Sheriff’s Officer observed a vehicle matching the description of a stolen vehicle crash into another vehicle, authorities said.  The driver then exi…
Drug Raid Turns Up Crack Cocaine In Essex County: Sheriff Drug Raid Turns Up Crack Cocaine In Essex County: Sheriff
Drug Raid Turns Up Crack Cocaine In Essex County: Sheriff Five men are behind bars and a large quantity of crack sits in an Essex County evidence locker after police raided a Newark home early Tuesday, Jan. 17, authorities say.  Deputies executed a search warrant at a home on North 9th Street just before 11:30 a.m., said Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura in a statement. During the search, investigators say they found "over 400 vials" of crack cocaine and "around 200 decks" of heroin on the property.  Five suspects were arrested in connection with the bust, the sheriff said — 44-year-old Kareem W. Koon of East Orange, 44-year-old Jamar Horne of…
TWO-FER: Twin Clifton Police Pursuits End In Luxury Car Crashes TWO-FER: Twin Clifton Police Pursuits End In Luxury Car Crashes
Two-fer: Twin Clifton Police Pursuits End In Luxury Car Crashes Two Clifton police pursuits ended in crashes within moments of one another -- one involving a $200,000 Bentley stolen hours earlier from a car wash near the George Washington Bridge and another a Mercedes Benz that hit a patrol car in Newark, authorities said. Two bandits swiped the 2021 Bentley from Bridge Hand Wash & Detailing just off Lemoine Avenue in Fort Lee around 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28 after pulling up in a BMW that may also have been stolen, they said. Clifton police tried to stop the Bentley around 9:30 p.m. on westbound Route 3 near Broad Street, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken …
Ex-Trump Stalker Gets 6 Years, No Parole, For Threatening Secret Service Agent, Vets Officer Ex-Trump Stalker Gets 6 Years, No Parole, For Threatening Secret Service Agent, Vets Officer
Ex-Trump Stalker Gets 6 Years, No Parole, For Threatening Secret Service Agent, Vets Officer UPDATE: A former longtime stalker of former President Trump must spend nearly six years in federal prison for threatening to assault a Secret Service agent and "shoot up" an officer at a VA hospital in New Jersey. Frank Monte, 52, of Passaic County, NJ, must serve out just about all of the sentence because there's no parole in the federal court system. Monte, of the Oak Ridge section of West Milford, "repeatedly called the emergency line of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Police at the VA Lyons hospital campus" in Somerset County, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said on Tuesd…
Thief Steals Vehicle With Sleeping Infant Inside In Essex County: Sheriff Thief Steals Vehicle With Sleeping Infant Inside In Essex County: Sheriff
Thief Steals Vehicle With Sleeping Infant Inside In Essex County: Sheriff An infant was reunited with his father after a thief jumped behind the wheel of a vehicle he was sleeping in on Monday, Nov. 14 in Essex County, authorities said. The thief stole the car from the area of Joyce Street and Scotland Road in Orange, around 5:50 p.m., moments before the baby's parent called 911, Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura said. A Sheriff’s Officer responded and found the vehicle in the middle of the street on Conover Terrace. He then checked the vehicle for occupants and saw the child asleep in a car seat. The baby was evaluated by St. Clare’s EMS, found …
Sniper Kendall Howard Accused Of Shooting 2 Newark Officers Captured After Manhunt: Sources Sniper Kendall Howard Accused Of Shooting 2 Newark Officers Captured After Manhunt: Sources
Sniper Kendall Howard Accused Of Shooting 2 Newark Officers Captured After Manhunt: Sources UPDATE: Kendall Howard, the accused East Orange sniper wanted for shooting two Newark police officers, has been captured after a massive search, sources tell Daily Voice. Howard was arrested Wednesday morning by Newark police on two attempted murder charges, sources with direct knowledge of the incident say. Details surrounding his arrest were not immediately clear. Howard had been wanted in connection with another shooting from last Friday when police received a 911 call from a civilian who reported seeing him in the area of an apartment building at 25 Van Velsor Place, authorities said. …
Man Accused Of Shooting Two Newark Officers Captured: Sources Man Accused Of Shooting Two Newark Officers Captured: Sources
Man Accused Of Shooting Two Newark Officers Captured: Sources UPDATE: An East Orange man wanted for shooting two Newark police officers, has been captured after a massive search, sources tell Daily Voice. Kendall Howard was arrested Wednesday morning by Newark police on two attempted murder charges, sources with direct knowledge of the incident say. Howard had been wanted in connection with another shooting from last Friday when police received a 911 call from a civilian who reported seeing him in the area of an apartment building at 25 Van Velsor Place, authorities said. The officers found Howard after pulling into a parking lot behind the building…
Pair Nabbed In Essex County Carjacking, Gas Station Robbery: Sheriff Pair Nabbed In Essex County Carjacking, Gas Station Robbery: Sheriff
Pair Nabbed In Essex County Carjacking, Gas Station Robbery: Sheriff Two juveniles were arrested in Essex County in connection with a carjacking and armed robbery, authorities said. On Saturday, Oct. 22, Essex County Sheriff’s Office Detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Bureau of Narcotics arrested two unnamed suspects for an alleged carjacking in Newark on Frelinghuysen Avenue, and an alleged armed robbery of an Exxon station on McCarter Highway and Bridge Street in Newark.  The two suspects were charged with receiving stolen property; resisting arrest by flight; resisting arrest by force; unlawful possession of a weapon; illegal possession of an exten…
TEAMWORK: Paramus PD Nabs Trio After SUV Stolen Out Of Ramsey Crashes At Garden State Plaza TEAMWORK: Paramus PD Nabs Trio After SUV Stolen Out Of Ramsey Crashes At Garden State Plaza
Teamwork: Paramus PD Nabs Trio After SUV Stolen Out Of Ramsey Crashes At Garden State Plaza Paramus police captured three thieves who crashed at the Garden State Plaza during a predawn pursuit of two stolen vehicles down Route 17. The chase began on Main Street in Ramsey shortly after an 2021 Audi Q7 was stolen from a home on Deer Trail North near Darlington County Park around 12:45 a.m., Ramsey Police Chief Bryan Lyman said. Officer Christopher Finn pursued the black SUV onto southbound Route 17, where a white Mercedes that had been reported stolen out of Ridgewood joined it, the chief said. Moments later, Paramus Police Officer Michael Cleary got behind the Audi in the area of…
UPDATE: Stolen Car Trio Nabbed On FDU Campus After Pursuit UPDATE: Stolen Car Trio Nabbed On FDU Campus After Pursuit
Update: Stolen Car Trio Nabbed On FDU Campus After Pursuit UPDATE: A trio of Newark thieves were captured on the FDU campus in Teaneck after they led police on a stolen car chase out of Franklin Lakes. Paramus Police Officer Sean Casey began pursuing the white 2017 Audi 7 on eastbound Route 4 shortly after 9:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, Deputy Police Chief Robert M. Guidetti said. Teaneck police headed to the scene after the Audi collided with a civilian's vehicle four or so miles away on eastbound Route 4 at River Road in Teaneck. Paramus police remained with that vehicle as the suspects exited the highway onto southbound River Road with other units…
UPDATE: Stolen Car Trio Nabbed On FDU Campus After Pursuit UPDATE: Stolen Car Trio Nabbed On FDU Campus After Pursuit
Update: Stolen Car Trio Nabbed On FDU Campus After Pursuit UPDATE: A trio of Newark thieves were captured on the FDU campus in Teaneck after they led police on a stolen car chase out of Franklin Lakes. Paramus Police Officer Sean Casey began pursuing the white 2017 Audi 7 on eastbound Route 4 shortly after 9:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, Deputy Police Chief Robert M. Guidetti said. Teaneck police headed to the scene after the Audi collided with a civilian's vehicle four or so miles away on eastbound Route 4 at River Road in Teaneck. Paramus police remained with that vehicle as the suspects exited the highway onto southbound River Road with other units…
Ex-Con Fugitive From NJ Caught With Guns, Drugs, Ammo Faces Lengthy Federal Prison Stretch Ex-Con Fugitive From NJ Caught With Guns, Drugs, Ammo Faces Lengthy Federal Prison Stretch
Ex-Con Fugitive From NJ Caught With Guns, Drugs, Ammo Faces Lengthy Federal Prison Stretch Cedric Lewis had been out of state prison all of two months when detectives from the Essex County Sheriff's Office learned that he'd armed himself with a rifle, two pistols and a pair of extended magazines while selling heroin and cocaine. With the heat on, the Bloomfield ex-con headed south. Three months later, deputy U.S. marshals in Atlanta had him in custody. Lewis, 29, will be headed to federal prison for a much longer stretch than before after taking a deal from the government. Lewis pleaded guilty via videoconference with a federal judge in Newark on Thursday, July 28,  to two …