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Middlesex Borough, NJ

Firefighters Battle 3-Alarm Blaze In Middlesex County Firefighters Battle 3-Alarm Blaze In Middlesex County
Firefighters Battle 3-Alarm Blaze In Middlesex County Two homes were heavily damaged by a three-alarm fire that started in a garage in Middlesex Borough, authorities said. On Friday, June 14, at 2:40 a.m., the Middlesex Borough Police Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 832 West Second Street.  Officers arrived on scene and confirmed that a garage was fully engulfed in flames. Prior to the fire spreading to 836 West Second Street, officers were able to safely evacuate the occupants of both residences, Middlesex police said. The Middlesex Fire Department, assisted by firefighters and equipment …
South Jersey Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Major Winter Storm South Jersey Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Major Winter Storm
South Jersey Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Major Winter Storm Some South Jersey school districts are canceling classes or delaying the start of school before a winter storm that's expected on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth Counties. There is also a coastal flood warning in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. The NWS predicts four to six inches of snow in Trenton, three to four inches in Long Branch, and one to two inches in Toms River. Southern Jersey Shore places like Atlantic City, Cape May County, Long Beach, Ocean City, and Vinela…
See Ya Later, Alligator? Central Jersey Park Reopens With No New Sightings See Ya Later, Alligator? Central Jersey Park Reopens With No New Sightings
See Ya Later, Alligator? Central Jersey Park Reopens With No New Sightings With no alligator sightings in a week, Middlesex Borough officials have decided to reopen the park where it was first spotted last month. After consulting with NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife specialists, Middlesex Borough officials have opened Victor Crowell Park with restrictions in place, Middlesex police said on Thursday, Sept. 7. There continues to be No Fishing and No Swimming; the lakeside docks will remain closed; and the playground area near Greene Avenue will remain closed as a previously planned replacement and revitalization plan commences. Fishing and swimming is banned…
No New Alligator Sightings: 'I Hope It's Gone' Says Central Jersey Police Spokesman No New Alligator Sightings: 'I Hope It's Gone' Says Central Jersey Police Spokesman
No New Alligator Sightings: 'I Hope It's Gone' Says Central Jersey Police Spokesman Police in Middlesex Borough are hopeful that an alligator spotted last month is dead, they said on Wednesday, Sept. 6. "I hope it's gone," said Lt. Thomas Falk, a police department spokesman. The 3 or 4-foot gator was first spotted Wednesday, Aug. 23 in Victor Crowell Park, submerged in the waters of Lake Creighton, commonly known as the Duck Pond, and Ambrose Brook in Middlesex Borough. The park remains closed. Police shot at the alligator on Saturday, Aug. 26. It's possible the alligator was killed at that time, Falk said. Traps were set by NJ Fish & Wildlife officials. …
No New Alligator Sightings: Central Jersey Park Remains Closed No New Alligator Sightings: Central Jersey Park Remains Closed
No New Alligator Sightings: Central Jersey Park Remains Closed A Middlesex County park will remain closed over the Labor Day Weekend due to repeated sightings of a small alligator, authorities said. The 3 or 4-foot gator was first spotted Wednesday, Aug. 23 in Victor Crowell Park, submerged in the waters of Lake Creighton, commonly known as the Duck Pond, and Ambrose Brook in Middlesex Borough. Police shot at the alligator on Saturday, Aug. 26, and it was spotted by police again on Wednesday, Aug. 30. That was the last sighting, police said. Traps have been set by NJ Fish & Wildlife officials. Police Chief Matthew P. Geist urged residen…
Central Jersey Man Charged With Possessing Child Pornography: Police Central Jersey Man Charged With Possessing Child Pornography: Police
Central Jersey Man Charged With Possessing Child Pornography: Police A 50-year-old man from Middlesex Borough has been arrested on child pornography charges, authorities said. Walter E. Ciancia was arrested on Aug. 17, according to Middlesex Police Chief Matthew P. Geist. Ciancia was later sent to the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility. After receiving a cyber-tip from the New Jersey State Police and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, detectives from the Middlesex Borough Police Department initiated a comprehensive investigation involving electronic surveillance and technical expertise, which identified Ciancia and led t…
Small Alligator Spotted In Middlesex County Park Small Alligator Spotted In Middlesex County Park
Small Alligator Spotted In Middlesex County Park See you later, alligator... hopefully. Authorities are searching for a small alligator spotted in a Middlesex County park. The 3 to 4-foot gator was seen submerged in Ambrose Park in Middlesex Borough, but hadn't been seen since Friday, Aug. 25. "We are working closely with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Conservation Police to capture and relocate the reptile," police said.  "If observed, please contact the Middlesex Police Department immediately at (732) 356-1900 extension 0 or dial 9-1-1. DO NOT approach or attempt to capture the animal."
3 Teenage Vandalism Suspects Charged By Central Jersey Police 3 Teenage Vandalism Suspects Charged By Central Jersey Police
3 Teenage Vandalism Suspects Charged By Central Jersey Police Three teenagers have been charged with numerous acts of vandalism in Middlesex Borough, authorities said. Middlesex Police Department has charged a 15-year- old Green Brook resident with Criminal Mischief, Conspiracy and Trespassing; a 14-year-old Green Brook resident with Conspiracy and Trespassing; and a 15-year-old Basking Ridge resident with Conspiracy, according to Police Chief Matthew P. Geist. On July 21,, at 8:30 p.m., officers responded to the area of Green Brook Road for a report of three juveniles vandalizing street signs. Officer Marc Arancio investigate…
Police ID Bicyclist, 44, Struck, Killed In Central Jersey Crash Police ID Bicyclist, 44, Struck, Killed In Central Jersey Crash
Police ID Bicyclist, 44, Struck, Killed In Central Jersey Crash Police have identified a 44-year-old bicyclist from Union County killed in a weekend crash in Middlesex Borough, authorities said. Darwin O. Mestanza Rivera, of Scotch Plains, died in the crash at 6:57 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, Middlesex Borough Police Chief Matthew P. Geist said. Mestanza Rivera was struck from behind by a Jeep Patrol as he rode west on South Avenue near the corner of Howard Street, Geist said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, he said. The driver of the Jeep Patriot declined medical attention. Charges are possible but had not been filed, a polic…
Bicyclist Struck, Killed By Jeep In Middlesex Bicyclist Struck, Killed By Jeep In Middlesex
Bicyclist Struck, Killed By Jeep In Middlesex A bicyclist was fatally struck by a car in Middlesex County this weekend, police said. The crash occurred just before 7 a.m. at South Avenue and Howard Street in Middlesex Borough on Saturday, July 29, Police Chief Matthew P. Geist said. A Jeep Patriot rear-ended a pedalcyclist while both were traveling west on South Avenue, police found during the investigation. The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the Jeep Patriot declined medical attention. The Middlesex Fire Department assisted with the road closure, which lasted approximately five hours. The Piscatawa…
Shaq Bringing Booming Chicken Chain To NJ With 6 Locations In The Works Shaq Bringing Booming Chicken Chain To NJ With 6 Locations In The Works
Shaq Bringing Booming Chicken Chain To NJ With 6 Locations In The Works Think Big. New Jersey native NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal is bringing his booming chicken restaurant to his home state. The first of six new New Jersey locations is expected to open in Middlesex Borough. All will be run by Garden State business partners Chad and Aditya Patel. Other areas being eyed by Big Chicken are in Livingston, Mercer County, Somerset County and South Jersey, according to a spokeswoman. "The franchisees are still in negotiations," she said. "We currently do not have a timeline for opening, and will know more when individual leases are signed for each location."…
Central Jersey Resident Victim Of 'Romance Scam' Central Jersey Resident Victim Of 'Romance Scam'
Central Jersey Resident Victim Of 'Romance Scam' A Middlesex Borough resident reported falling victim to a “romance scam," authorities said. The resident said that after accepting a friend request from a stranger on Facebook, the two began communicating and entered what the resident construed to be a dating relationship, Middlesex police said.  The suspect later claimed to be out of the country for business and in need of money, police said. The resident was then convinced to purchase gift cards totaling approximately $1,000 and provided the suspect with the card numbers. After the resident stopped sen…
Police, Bystanders Free Victim Trapped Underneath Car In Central Jersey Police, Bystanders Free Victim Trapped Underneath Car In Central Jersey
Police, Bystanders Free Victim Trapped Underneath Car In Central Jersey Police and five bystanders lifted a car off an elderly pedestrian in Middlesex Borough, authorities said. On Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 12:12 p.m., Middlesex police received a 9-1-1 call reporting that a pedestrian had been struck by a motor vehicle near the Middlesex Post Office on Hawthorne Avenue.  Police arrived to find the victim, an 87-year-old woman, lying in the roadway, trapped underneath the vehicle. The officers, with the assistance of five Good Samaritans who jumped into action, were able to lift the vehicle and free the victim from beneath, police said. The victim sustained in…
Fentanyl Trafficking Network Dismantled In Pre-Dawn NJ Bust: Prosecutor Fentanyl Trafficking Network Dismantled In Pre-Dawn NJ Bust: Prosecutor
Fentanyl Trafficking Network Dismantled In Pre-Dawn NJ Bust: Prosecutor A fentanyl trafficking network was dismantled by authorities who seized nearly a quarter-pound of the highly-lethal drug, two handguns and several thousand dollars in suspected drug money, the Union County Prosecutor's Office announced. The three-month investigation concluded before dawn on June 20 with the execution of search warrants across Phillipsburg, Middlesex Borough and in homes on Charles and Hussa streets in Linden, according to Assistant Prosecutors Peter DeRose and Megan Tomlinson, who are prosecuting the case. Seized were approximately 100 grams of raw fentanyl, hundr…
Central Jersey Resident Scammed In Gift Card Scheme: Police Central Jersey Resident Scammed In Gift Card Scheme: Police
Central Jersey Resident Scammed In Gift Card Scheme: Police A resident of Central Jersey told police she was scammed via email in a gift card scheme. On March 21, a Middlesex Borough resident said she received an email with a bill from what she initially believed was a legitimate company, police said. She reportedly contacted the telephone number listed in the email and spoke with a man who requested her personal information, which she provided.  She was then instructed to purchase Target gift cards at a CVS Pharmacy and provided the caller with the PIN numbers, realizing afterward that she had been scammed.  The…
Catalytic Converter Thefts Rising In Central Jersey: Police Catalytic Converter Thefts Rising In Central Jersey: Police
Catalytic Converter Thefts Rising In Central Jersey: Police Police in Central Jersey said there's been a rise in thefts of valuable car parts, particularly catalytic converters. On Feb. 19, a resident of Sheridan Avenue in Middlesex Borough reported the theft of a catalytic converter from a Toyota Prius. The reported loss was $5,500, police said. Officer Richard Szymczak investigated. On Feb. 24, a caller on Lincoln Boulevard in Middlesex also reported the theft of a catalytic converter from a Ford F-350 pick-up truck. The reported loss was $650, police said. Officer Paul Muldowney investigated. On Feb. 25, a resident of Ca…
Gunpoint Carjacking Under Investigation In Bound Brook Gunpoint Carjacking Under Investigation In Bound Brook
Gunpoint Carjacking Under Investigation In Bound Brook A gunpoint carjacking that occurred last week in Bound Brook is under investigation, authorities said. A resident briefly parked on the side of the road near Talmage Avenue and Fisher Avenue around 10 p.m. on Aug. 6 to help his passenger get out of his car, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Borough of Bound Brook Chief of Police Vito Bet. When he returned to his gray 2011 Hyundai Sonata, he was approached by two unknown men who brandished a gun and a knife, and demanded to …
Prosecutor: Drunken Driver, 25, Was Going 70 MPH, Ran 2 Lights In Deadly NJ Wreck Prosecutor: Drunken Driver, 25, Was Going 70 MPH, Ran 2 Lights In Deadly NJ Wreck
Prosecutor: Drunken Driver, 25, Was Going 70 MPH, Ran 2 Lights In Deadly NJ Wreck A 25-year-old Union County man had been drinking when he sped through a pair of red lights at more than 70 miles an hour, killing a 39-year-old Central Jersey man last year, authorities said. Mike A. Ramos, 25, of Plainfield was charged with a single count of second-degree vehicular manslaughter in connection with the May 5, 2020 crash, Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Plainfield Police Director Lisa Burgess jointly announced Wednesday. Ramos had consumed alcohol, ran two red lights and was traveling at speeds of more than 70 miles per hour in a 25 mile an hour zone when …
SEEN HER? Central Jersey Girl, 16, Missing SEEN HER? Central Jersey Girl, 16, Missing
Seen HER? Central Jersey Girl, 16, Missing Police in Central Jersey are looking for a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing last week. Lisaldy Peraza-Cruz is 5-foot-4 and weighs 125 pounds, Middlesex Borough police said. Anyone with information about Peraza-Cruz’s whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Daniel McCue at 732-687-8183 or dmccue@middlesexpd.com.
Middlesex Firefighters Knock Down Apartment Fire, Tenant Treated For Smoke Inhalation Middlesex Firefighters Knock Down Apartment Fire, Tenant Treated For Smoke Inhalation
Middlesex Firefighters Knock Down Apartment Fire, Tenant Treated For Smoke Inhalation Middlesex Borough firefighters quickly knocked down a restaurant/apartment fire early Wednesday that injured one tenant, authorities said. Middlesex Police Department received a 9-1-1 call about 6 a.m. reporting smoke in a second floor apartment at 433 Lincoln Blvd. Officers found an active structure fire in the rear of the first floor of the building occupied by Sapore Ravioli & Cheese, police said. The building was evacuated. Middlesex Fire Department contained the fire and promptly extinguished it, according to Captain Frank DeNick, a Middlesex PD spokesman. Residen…
Ex-Middlesex Mayor Pleads Guilty To Stealing $75K From Political Campaigns Ex-Middlesex Mayor Pleads Guilty To Stealing $75K From Political Campaigns
Ex-Middlesex Mayor Pleads Guilty To Stealing $75K From Political Campaigns The former mayor of Middlesex Borough has admitted to stealing more than $75,000 from local political campaigns, authorities said. Middlesex Mayor Ronald J. DiMura, 64, pleaded guilty to theft by deception, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said on Thursday. DiMura's term as mayor ended in December 2019. He entered his guilty plea before Superior Court Judge Benjamin S. Bucca in Middlesex County. The state has recommended that DiMura be sentenced to seven years in state prison, Grewal said. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan.. 15, 2021. DiMura will be barred from ever holding pu…
Middlesex Man, 39, Killed In Plainfield Crash Middlesex Man, 39, Killed In Plainfield Crash
Middlesex Man, 39, Killed In Plainfield Crash A 39-year-old Middlesex Borough man was killed in a pre-dawn crash Tuesday in Plainfield, authorities said. Authorities were making notifications while withholding the identity of the victim, who was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick after going into traumatic arrest in the 4:51 a.m. crash at the intersection of Clinton Avenue and West Fourth Street, responders said. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital, police said. Anyone who might have witnessed the crash or has home surveillance video that could help the investigation is asked to contact Plainfie…
Ex-Con Just Out Of Prison Charged With Bergen Gas Station Burglary Spree Ex-Con Just Out Of Prison Charged With Bergen Gas Station Burglary Spree
Ex-Con Just Out Of Prison Charged With Bergen Gas Station Burglary Spree An ex-con with a rap sheet that stretches back more than a decade was charged with a series of gas station break-ins in Bergen County and elsewhere that began a little over a month after he was released from state prison. Yorghi Turkmany, 30, of Newark remained held in the Bergen County Jail on Thursday pending a detention hearing this Friday in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack. From July 21 to Aug. 18, Turkmany burglarized gas stations in Franklin Lakes, Montvale, New Milford, Oradell, Ramsey, Ridgewood and Washington Township, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo sai…
Police: Ex-Con Was Masked Gunman Who Robbed Clifton QuickChek Police: Ex-Con Was Masked Gunman Who Robbed Clifton QuickChek
Police: Ex-Con Was Masked Gunman Who Robbed Clifton QuickChek CLIFTON, N.J. -- An Essex County ex-con was the armed robber who held up a QuickChek in Clifton's Allwood section last December, said authorities who charged him with the crime. Wearing a covering over his face, Tione Davis, 35, of East Orange, fled with an undetermined amount of cash from the register after the 4 a.m. robbery of the Market Street convenience store on Dec. 11, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. No one was injured, he said. Morris Plains police arrested Davis on Dec. 20, a day after a chase stemming from another crime. They took him to the Morris County Jail, where he remai…