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Old Bridge, NJ

NO CHOICE: Police Justified Shooting Knife-Wielding NJ Man, Grand Jury Finds NO CHOICE: Police Justified Shooting Knife-Wielding NJ Man, Grand Jury Finds
NO Choice: Police Justified Shooting Knife-Wielding NJ Man, Grand Jury Finds UPDATE: Police were justified in shooting a New Jersey man seen on bodycam video charging at an officer with a knife, a grand jury investigation required by state law found. Luke Mendez, 26, had his wrapped around the knife handle as he barreled down the steps of an Old Bridge home last April 24. Mendez was only two steps from the landing -- less than three feet from an Old Bridge officer -- when he left police no choice. Mendez was pronounced dead at a local hospital about 90 minutes later. Grand jurors reviewed various evidence but didn't really need any more than the bodycam video…
ShopRite Store Coming To Central Jersey Hiring For Hundreds Of Positions ShopRite Store Coming To Central Jersey Hiring For Hundreds Of Positions
ShopRite Store Coming To Central Jersey Hiring For Hundreds Of Positions About 300 jobs are being created thanks to the arrival of a new ShopRite in Old Bridge. The new ShopRite is located in the Glenwood Green Shopping Center at Route 9 and Schulmeister Road. The store is set to open in March. Hiring is taking place for all positions including department managers, butchers, deli, bakery, dairy, produce and seafood associates, customer service associates, cashiers and baggers. Perry Blatt, director of E-Commerce and Business Development for Village Super Market, Inc., said,  “We look forward to continuing our commitment to the community with a brand new s…
Bayonne Woman, 31, Killed When Car Rams Parked Tractor Trailer In Jersey City: Police Bayonne Woman, 31, Killed When Car Rams Parked Tractor Trailer In Jersey City: Police
Bayonne Woman, 31, Killed When Car Rams Parked Tractor Trailer In Jersey City: Police A 31-year-old Bayonne woman was killed and two others injured in an overnight Jersey City crash overnight, authorities said. Stephanie Weymouth was riding in the 2019 Nissan passenger car that struck the back of a parked tractor trailer on Route 185 and Linden Avenue around 12:20 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Weymouth was pronounced dead just after 1 a.m. while the 28-year-old Staten Island driver and a 27-year-old Old Bridge passenger were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Jersey City Medical Center, Suarez said. The Hudson County Regi…
NJ Couple's Eatery That Tells Family Tale Named Among 50 Best New Restaurants In America NJ Couple's Eatery That Tells Family Tale Named Among 50 Best New Restaurants In America
NJ Couple's Eatery That Tells Family Tale Named Among 50 Best New Restaurants In America A chef's New Jersey restaurant that he says tells the story of his family is getting national accolades. Lita, in Aberdeen, by Chef David Viana and his girlfriend Neilly Robinson, is representing the Garden State on Esquire's list of "50 Best New Restaurants in America." Inside Lita ET Schindler You may recognize Viana and Robinson from Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge, and Heirloom at The St Laurent, in Asbury Park. Lita is named after Viana's mother, Rosa Lita, came to Newark from Portugal in the 1970s. Viana's love of food, especially Portuguese classics, come from his m…
Family Of Roofer Who Fell From Passaic County Home Gets $75G From Company That Caused His Death Family Of Roofer Who Fell From Passaic County Home Gets $75G From Company That Caused His Death
Family Of Roofer Who Fell From Passaic County Home Gets $75G From Company That Caused His Death UPDATE: The survivors of a worker who fell to his death from a residential roof in Haledon will receive $75,000 after his employer admitted in federal court this week that his Middlesex County construction company failed to provide any fall protection equipment or training. The unidentified worker was installing insulation for a second-floor subroof in August 2019 when he took a step back and fell more than 20 feet, first onto a scaffold and then to a concrete floor below, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. He was later pronounced dead of a head injury. Despite the…
Family Ran Multimillion-Dollar Cathouse At Sayreville Strip Club, New Indictment Alleges Family Ran Multimillion-Dollar Cathouse At Sayreville Strip Club, New Indictment Alleges
Family Ran Multimillion-Dollar Cathouse At Sayreville Strip Club, New Indictment Alleges UPDATE: A fierce battle between a Middlesex County family and authorities who've charged them with operating a wildly lucrative whorehouse masquerading as a strip club intensified with a new round of charges. The owners of Club XXXV on Route 35 in Sayreville used “various illegal means to turn their club into a multimillion-dollar racket (that) doubled as a house of prostitution,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said a superseding indictment returned by a grand jury in Trenton alleges. More than $10 million in proceeds from the business “moved through numerous bank accounts c…
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 …
UPDATE: Jurors Convict Bergen County Man Of Gunning Down Newly-Released Killer UPDATE: Jurors Convict Bergen County Man Of Gunning Down Newly-Released Killer
Update: Jurors Convict Bergen County Man Of Gunning Down Newly-Released Killer A 25-year-old South Hackensack man was convicted of gunning down a convicted killer who’d only just been released from prison after serving his time. Rather than accept a plea deal, Naszhere Marquette Jones took his chances with a jury – and lost – in connection with the March 2021 shooting death of ex-con Jaquan Harrison, 35, in Paterson. Jurors in Paterson found Jones guilty of reckless manslaughter and weapons offenses following a day and a half of deliberations, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said on Friday, Sept. 29. Harrison had spent more than four years in state prison…
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…
Married Old Bridge Soccer League Execs Used Stolen Funds To Cover Family Disney Trip, Bills: PD Married Old Bridge Soccer League Execs Used Stolen Funds To Cover Family Disney Trip, Bills: PD
Married Old Bridge Soccer League Execs Used Stolen Funds To Cover Family Disney Trip, Bills: PD The former president of a Central Jersey youth soccer league and her husband have been charged with stealing $91,000 from the youth organization, authorities said. A trip to Disney World. An extravagant party for their daughter. Amazon purchases. These were all expenses that Kathleen Murawski and Joseph Murawski paid for using stolen funds from the Old Bridge Soccer League, the Old Bridge Police Department said. Kathleen served as the league's president and Joseph was the league's field director, police said. Following a comprehensive, 6-month investigation, Old Bridge Police Detecti…
Couple Who Dumped, Ran From Feces-Covered Puppy At NJ Home Depot Face Charges Couple Who Dumped, Ran From Feces-Covered Puppy At NJ Home Depot Face Charges
Couple Who Dumped, Ran From Feces-Covered Puppy At NJ Home Depot Face Charges Charges have been filed against a couple who police say dropped a puppy covered in dried feces in a Home Depot parking lot in Central Jersey. Police did not identify the man and woman captured by surveillance footage running away from the lab retriever pup, who followed them into the Route 9 Home Depot store in Old Bridge, after dumping her in the parking lot on Friday evening, May 26. "The dog was wearing a red harness and covered in dry feces," police said. "They were driving a black Ford truck, which was pulling a black Griffin trailer. Later, the dog’s empty crate was found in the par…
Who Dumped 500 Pounds Of Pasta In Central Jersey? Who Dumped 500 Pounds Of Pasta In Central Jersey?
Who Dumped 500 Pounds Of Pasta In Central Jersey? Old Bridge police are investigating the dumping of 500 pounds of pasta along a brook, township officials said. The Department of Public Works cleaned up about 15 wheelbarrows' worth of spaghetti, macaroni and other pasta after photos circulated on social media. Police were contacted after township officials learned of the piles of pasta, according to Himanshu Shah, Old Bridge’s business administrator.  "This incident is under investigation by the police department," Shah said on Thursday, May 4. DPW "visited the site and did in fact find what appeared to be 15 wheel barrel loads of illeg…
Hudson Dad Of Middlesex County Man Shot Dead During Domestic Call Questions Officer's Actions Hudson Dad Of Middlesex County Man Shot Dead During Domestic Call Questions Officer's Actions
Hudson Dad Of Middlesex County Man Shot Dead During Domestic Call Questions Officer's Actions A Hudson County man whose son was shot and killed by a police officer responding to a domestic dispute at his Middlesex County home called the incident an "indiscriminate" shooting. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin identified the man killed by an Old Bridge police officer in the Laurence Harbor section of town earlier this week as Luke Mendez, 26. "According to the preliminary investigation, police responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding a dispute on Monday, April 24, 2023 at approximately 3:09 p.m. on Woodland Avenue in Laurence Harbor," Platkin said in a statement on Friday, April …
These NJ Communities Violated LGBTQ+ Marriage License Rules: AG These NJ Communities Violated LGBTQ+ Marriage License Rules: AG
These NJ Communities Violated LGBTQ+ Marriage License Rules: AG Twenty-eight municipalities statewide have been cited by New Jersey officials for excluding the LGBTQIA+ community in their online marriage license applications. The municipalities face fines of up to $10,000 if they don't fix the problem, the state said. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights said DCR has issued Notices of Violation to the municipalities for allegedly violating the Law Against Discrimination by publishing marriage license application forms on their websites that exclude certain LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking to obtain marriage licenses. Th…
Celebs You Probably Didn't Know Were From Central, South Jersey Celebs You Probably Didn't Know Were From Central, South Jersey
Celebs You Probably Didn't Know Were From Central, South Jersey When it comes to celebrities, New Jersey boasts a roster of A-List talent to rival any state. Some of the most iconic athletes, musicians, and TV personalities live in the Garden State, or once called it home. Here are the famous people you probably didn't realize were from South Jersey: Melissa Bacelar was born in Piscataway and is known for "Love Thy Neighbor" and "Pink Eye." Danny DeVito was born in Neptune and raised in Asbury Park. The actor and director is known for "Taxi," "Matilda," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and more. Emma Bell was born in Woodstown but attended Hunte…
Rutgers Fraternity Brother Killed In Hit-Run Crash Remembered For Wit, 'Drip' Rutgers Fraternity Brother Killed In Hit-Run Crash Remembered For Wit, 'Drip'
Rutgers Fraternity Brother Killed In Hit-Run Crash Remembered For Wit, 'Drip' Funeral services have been said for a Rutgers University senior killed in a hit-and-run crash Thursday, Feb. 16. Visitation for Max Spivak, 21, of Old Bridge, will be Monday, Feb. 20 at the Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home, beginning at 4 p.m. Services appear to be private. Spivak was struck by 42-year-old Nageswar Polamuri, of Iselin, around 1 a.m. on Route 18 south near the border of Piscataway and New Brunswick, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Polamuri was driving in the wrong direction when he crashed into Spivak's vehicle head-on, authorities sa…
Five Out-Of-Towners Seized After Paramus Stolen Car Pursuit Ends In Englewood Crash Five Out-Of-Towners Seized After Paramus Stolen Car Pursuit Ends In Englewood Crash
Five Out-Of-Towners Seized After Paramus Stolen Car Pursuit Ends In Englewood Crash An Essex County quintet was arrested by Paramus police following the pursuit of a stolen Dodge Challenger that crashed in Englewood. Officer Slavko Bajovic spotted the stolen muscle car on southbound Route 17 after hearing an alert that it was involved in an attempted vehicle theft in Ridgewood shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, Paramus Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg said. Bajovic tried to stop the Challenger after a computer check showed that it had been reported stolen out of Old Bridge, the chief said. The driver refused to stop, however, and continued down Route 17 onto eastbound …
23,000 Fentanyl Doses, 30 Homemade Guns Seized In NJ Latin Kings Takedown: Feds 23,000 Fentanyl Doses, 30 Homemade Guns Seized In NJ Latin Kings Takedown: Feds
23,000 Fentanyl Doses, 30 Homemade Guns Seized In NJ Latin Kings Takedown: Feds More than 23,000 doses of fentanyl, nearly 30 homemade firearms and a host of parts designed to create fully-automatic machine guns were seized in the takedown of a drug and gun trafficking network run by New Jersey members of the Latin Kings, federal authorities announced. Nine reputed members of the ring were charged with a variety of drug and weapon offenses that include creating and selling private-made firearms (PMFs), more commonly known as “ghost guns," U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. PMFs were actually being made on 3D printers at the moment law enforcers raided one of sever…
Police ID Victim, Car Thief In Central Jersey Pursuit-Crash That Left Innocent Bystander Dead Police ID Victim, Car Thief In Central Jersey Pursuit-Crash That Left Innocent Bystander Dead
Police ID Victim, Car Thief In Central Jersey Pursuit-Crash That Left Innocent Bystander Dead Authorities have charged two people and identified the innocent victim killed by car thieves during a wild police pursuit in Old Bridge on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Samuel Villar, 19, of Somerset, was using the vehicle stolen last month to burglarize cars in Marlboro when police began to pursue the car around 2:15 a.m. up Route 9, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Old Bridge Acting Police Chief Donald F. Fritz, Jr. said. Villar ended up crashing the vehicle near the Spring Valley Road intersection, killing Arturo Tlapa Luna, 33, of Freehold, who was in his vehicle with other mem…
Rutgers Student Killed In Route 9 Crash Treated Customers With Extreme Kindness Rutgers Student Killed In Route 9 Crash Treated Customers With Extreme Kindness
Rutgers Student Killed In Route 9 Crash Treated Customers With Extreme Kindness Driton Guze is being remembered for the way he made those around him feel: Seen and heard. The 22-year-old Rutgers University business student was killed when he lost control of an Infiniti Q50 Wednesday, Oct. 19 in Old Bridge, police said. Condolences have been pouring in for him ever since, each one noting his kindness and thoughtfulness. "He was the nicest person at Old Bridge Pizza. I have Parkinsons Disease and when I felt well enough to go get something there he would always give me a few minutes of his time and made sure I was well taken care," wrote one person in a co…
Man Found Seven Miles From Home After Six-Day Search In Central Jersey Man Found Seven Miles From Home After Six-Day Search In Central Jersey
Man Found Seven Miles From Home After Six-Day Search In Central Jersey A 29-year-old man was found unharmed six days after walking away from his Central Jersey home. Jonathan Misak walked nearly seven miles — or more to Old Bridge — where he was found safe on Saturday, Oct. 1, authorities in Middlesex County announced. He was brought to a local hospital for a routine examination. Assisting agencies include the Sayreville Police Department, Sayreville Fire Department, Old Bridge Police Department, Old Bridge Office of Emergency Management, Old Bridge Fire Department, Old Bridge EMS, Sayreville OEM, Perth Amboy Marine, Middlesex County Office of Emerge…
PA Woman Arrested In Central Jersey Woman's Murder: Prosecutor PA Woman Arrested In Central Jersey Woman's Murder: Prosecutor
PA Woman Arrested In Central Jersey Woman's Murder: Prosecutor A Pennsylvania woman has been arrested in connection with the murder of Deborah Brown-Hepworth, 65, of Old Bridge, authorities said. Elizabeth Jackson, 61, of Yeadon, PA, has been charged with first-degree murder and weapons offenses, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Acting Chief Donald Fritz, Jr., of the Old Bridge Police Department. On Sept. 17, at approximately 11:05 a.m., authorities received a 9-1-1 call reporting that a woman was found unresponsive in her home by a relative. Police responded to Hanna Lane and found Brown-Hepwor…
2 Men Restrained Female Workers With Zipties To Rob $578K From NJ Check Cashers At Gunpoint: DA 2 Men Restrained Female Workers With Zipties To Rob $578K From NJ Check Cashers At Gunpoint: DA
2 Men Restrained Female Workers With Zipties To Rob $578K From NJ Check Cashers At Gunpoint: DA Two men from New York City were arrested and jailed after they were apparently connected to a series of gunpoint robberies at check cashing services throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania that involved female workers being restrained with zipties, authorities announced. Ramel Harris, 40, and Neville Brown, 38, both of Brooklyn, were charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announce…
Bergen County Driver Killed In Garden State Parkway Crash Bergen County Driver Killed In Garden State Parkway Crash
Bergen County Driver Killed In Garden State Parkway Crash A 39-year-old driver from Teaneck was killed in an overnight crash on the Garden State Parkway in Central Jersey, authorities said. Gabriel Farias was heading north in a Mini Cooper next to a Jeep Grand Cherokee when the two vehicles sideswiped each other around 12:26 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19 near exit 120 in Old Bridge, New Jersey State Police said. The Mini Cooper then struck a concrete barrier, a guardrail and subsequently overturned, police said. Farias died as a result of the crash, authorities said. There is an ongoing investigation.
Central Jersey Woman Slain Months After Husband's Death Central Jersey Woman Slain Months After Husband's Death
Central Jersey Woman Slain Months After Husband's Death A 65-year-old woman was slain over the weekend — just more than three months after the death of her husband, according to authorities and news reports. Deborah Brown-Hepworth was found unresponsive in her Hanna Lane home in Old Bridge by a relative on Saturday, Sept. 17 around 11:05 a.m., according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Acting Chief Donald Fritz, Jr., of the Old Bridge Police Department  Brown-Hepworth, affectionately known as Sonni, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband, Harry, died on June 4, 2022. Authorities said only that the cas…
WINNER: Jersey Cash 5 Lottery Ticket Worth $203K Sold At 7-Eleven WINNER: Jersey Cash 5 Lottery Ticket Worth $203K Sold At 7-Eleven
Winner: Jersey Cash 5 Lottery Ticket Worth $203K Sold At 7-Eleven One lucky ticket matched all five numbers winning the Jersey Cash 5 jackpot from the Sunday, Aug. 28, drawing. The top prize was worth $202,709. The winning numbers were: 08, 11, 24, 32 and 43 and the XTRA number was: 03.  The retailer will receive a bonus check for $2,000 for selling the winning ticket.  The winning ticket was sold at 7-Eleven #34173, 3617 Route 9 North, Old Bridge in Middlesex County.
Driver Was Going Double Speed Limit In Fatal Head-On Crash: Somerset Prosecutor Driver Was Going Double Speed Limit In Fatal Head-On Crash: Somerset Prosecutor
Driver Was Going Double Speed Limit In Fatal Head-On Crash: Somerset Prosecutor A 20-year-old driver from Old Bridge driver was speeding and trying to pass a vehicle in a no-passing zone when he drove into oncoming traffic, causing an accident that left one person dead and another seriously hurt, authorities in Somerset County said. Jaden Brandon Ramos was going nearly double the 35 mph limit in a 2007 Dodge Charger when he tried passing an eastbound car and veered into westbound traffic on Amwell Road in Hillsborough around 4:05 p.m. Friday, July 22, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Ramos collided head-on with a Mercedes Benz that came to rest he…
These 70+ NJ Gas Stations Are Dropping Prices Friday These 70+ NJ Gas Stations Are Dropping Prices Friday
These 70+ NJ Gas Stations Are Dropping Prices Friday Ever wonder how cheap gas in New Jersey would be if it was self-serve? More than 70 New Jersey stations will be offering fuel at a discounted rate to show drivers just that on Friday, May 13. The initiative promoting self-serving fueling was launched by Fuel Your Way NJ, a coalition that advocates for self-serve gas stations that still offer full service. The coalition appropriately titled the day " Fuel Your Way NJ Self-Serve Day of Awareness." Self-service stations were proposed in a measure by lawmakers in March, however, it was halted by in the General Assembly by the Motoris…
NJ Movie Extra Who Had Help From Parents Covering Up Killing Convicted Of Murder: Prosecutor NJ Movie Extra Who Had Help From Parents Covering Up Killing Convicted Of Murder: Prosecutor
NJ Movie Extra Who Had Help From Parents Covering Up Killing Convicted Of Murder: Prosecutor A New Jersey man who allegedly had help from his parents covering up a rapper's shooting death has been convicted of first-degree murder, authorities announced. Ryan D. Keough shot Terrence "T.R." Coulanges, 29, of Old Bridge, on Jan. 9, 2019 at a home on Farm Lane in Bound Brook around 5:45 p.m., when neighbors said they heard gunshots, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. Keough — who reportedly made appearances in  Creed and The Dark Knight Rises — told police he was in a carriage house when Coulanges banged on the door, reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun, NJ Adva…
Feds: Pistol-Packing Ex-Con Busted At Jersey Shore ER Claiming To Be With DEA Feds: Pistol-Packing Ex-Con Busted At Jersey Shore ER Claiming To Be With DEA
Feds: Pistol-Packing Ex-Con Busted At Jersey Shore ER Claiming To Be With DEA An ex-con was charged federally after he showed up at a Jersey Shore emergency room for treatment packing a handgun and then claimed he was DEA agent, authorities said. Staff members at Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank spotted Wesley Rucker, 34, of Tinton Falls carrying the gun in his waistband, federal authorities said. “Rucker showed the security officer two identification cards in a leather bifold wallet with the Drug Enforcement Administration (”DEA”) logo embossed on the outside,” a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives complaint on …
Drug Ring Member Who Trafficked Coke, Fentanyl-Laced Heroin Into NJ Bayshore Gets 16½ Years Drug Ring Member Who Trafficked Coke, Fentanyl-Laced Heroin Into NJ Bayshore Gets 16½ Years
Drug Ring Member Who Trafficked Coke, Fentanyl-Laced Heroin Into NJ Bayshore Gets 16½ Years A member of a drug ring that trafficked massive amounts of heroin and cocaine into the Bayshore areas of Monmouth and Middlesex counties must spend more than 16 years in federal prison. Guy Jackson, 49, of Effort, PA must serve just about all of the 200-month sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. It was by far the stiffest term handed down so far in U.S. District Court in Trenton following a sweep led by federal investigators. Members of the network funneled heroin and cocaine into the Raritan Bayshore, which stretches from the Amboys to Sandy Hook, forming the n…