Tag:

Bridgeton, NJ

Pedricktown's BettiJo Williams Fought Long Cancer Battle,  Competed In Beauty Pageants, 41 Pedricktown's BettiJo Williams Fought Long Cancer Battle,  Competed In Beauty Pageants, 41
BettiJo Williams Obituary BettiJo Leslie (Burns) Williams, of Pedricktown, died peacefully on Monday, April 22, surrounded by her family, after a long battle with cancer, according to an obituary published by Adams Funeral Home. She was 41 years old. BettiJo, a native of Bridgeton, grew up in Millville and was a 2001 graduate of Millville High School.  In 2012, she moved to Pedricktown and, over the years, she worked for the Pennsville National Bank, starting out as a teller in Pennsville and working her way up to branch manager in Woodstown, her obituary said. In her youth, BettiJo was a dancer, starting her …
Bridgeton's Zane A. Berry Loved To Fish, 23 Bridgeton's Zane A. Berry Loved To Fish, 23
Zane Berry Obituary Zane Austin Berry, a native of Bridgeton, died on April 13, according to an obituary published by Pancoast Funeral Home. He was 23 years old. He was a 2018 graduate of Woodstown High School.  He worked as an installer for RCL Solar, his obituary said.  "Zane was very outgoing, with the largest heart," his obituary said. "He loved looking for the best place to fish. He was competitive in all the best ways." Zane always could make anyone smile, the obit said. Click here to read Zane Berry's complete obituary.
Man Airlifted From South Jersey Fire: NJSP Man Airlifted From South Jersey Fire: NJSP
Hopewell Fire Airlift A 56-year-old man from Cumberland County had to be airlifted to a hospital after a fire, authorities said. The fire burned a camper and a detached garage in Hopewell Township on Sunday, April 7, according to New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron. Troopers responded to a residence on Barretts Run Road at about 9:20 p.m. and found the structures in the backyard of the property on fire, Lebron said. The man, from Bridgeton, suffered "moderate injuries," Lebron said. No other details were available. The cause the fire remains under investigation.
Imprisoned Sex Offender From Hackensack Gathered 42,000 Child Porn Files While Free: Prosecutor Imprisoned Sex Offender From Hackensack Gathered 42,000 Child Porn Files While Free: Prosecutor
Imprisoned Sex Offender From Hackensack Gathered 42,000 Child Porn Files While Free: Prosecutor A registered sex offender from Hackensack who was returned to prison last year is expected to spend much more time there following what authorities said was the discovery of more than 42,000 child porn images. Rahvae Richards, 32, served 3½ years of a five-year state prison sentence for trying to sexually assault a young city boy nearly a decade ago, records show. He’d also been downloading child pornography at the time, prosecutors said. Richards was paroled in October 2021, a year and a half short of what originally was supposed to be a five-year mandatory hitch. Sixteen months later, st…
52 Arrested In 'Elaborate' Cockfighting Ring In South Jersey: Police 52 Arrested In 'Elaborate' Cockfighting Ring In South Jersey: Police
52 Arrested In 'Elaborate' Cockfighting Ring In South Jersey: Police More than 50 people were arrested after police broke up a large cockfighting ring in Atlantic County, authorities said. Galloway Township police executed a search warrant at a home on the 300 block of South Bremen Avenue on Saturday, Mar. 9, the department said in a news release. When officers arrived, a large group of people were there and many tried to run away before they were detained. Investigators found an "elaborate cockfighting operation" that included a fighting ring, seating for spectators, and several cockfighting kits. About 50 roosters were found in "various degrees of health" …
Ghost Gunman Who Killed Upper Deerfield Home Invader Released From Jail: Prosecutor Ghost Gunman Who Killed Upper Deerfield Home Invader Released From Jail: Prosecutor
Ghost Gunman Who Killed Upper Deerfield Home Invader Released From Jail: Prosecutor A 24-year-old Cumberland County man charged with multiple gun crimes after he shot and killed an alleged home invader was ordered released from jail on Friday afternoon, March 1, authorities said. Kevin Lucero, 24, shot one of two people who reportedly forced their way into his Upper Deerfield home at 7:15 p.m. on Feb. 19, New Jersey State Police said.  Lucero was charged with owning ghost guns and other weapons offenses, police said. A ghost gun is a firearm without a serial number. Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae confirmed Lucero's release from jail. Troopers …
WILD RIDE: Driver Drags Police Officer, Strikes Pedestrian At Wawa In South Jersey WILD RIDE: Driver Drags Police Officer, Strikes Pedestrian At Wawa In South Jersey
Wild Ride: Driver Drags Police Officer, Strikes Pedestrian At Wawa In South Jersey A 40-year-old Cumberland County took police on a wild pursuit that included dragging a police officer with his car and striking a pedestrian at a Wawa, authorities said. The driver, Jacob D. Griffiths, 40, of Bridgeton, ultimately was charged with multiple counts of eluding, aggravated assault, obstruction and hindering apprehension, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. The pursuit started on Bluebird Lane in Millville at about 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 when an officer was investigating a report of a robbery in Vineland. Griffiths sped off with a woman in the car, the pr…
Cumberland County Man Killed In Route 77 Salem County Crash Cumberland County Man Killed In Route 77 Salem County Crash
Cumberland County Man Killed In Route 77 Salem County Crash A 29-year-old driver from Millville was killed and his passenger from Bridgeton was seriously hurt in a crash in Salem County, authorities said. Troopers responded to the single-car crash at about 2 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 on Route 77 in Upper Pittsgrove Township, according to New Jersey State Police spokesman Troy McNair. Based on a preliminary investigation, a Chevy passenger vehicle was traveling southbound In the area of milepost 10.1, Trooper McNair said. The driver lost directional control, ran off the roadway to the right and subsequently struck a utility pole, McNair said. As a re…
Salem County Man Indicted For Sexually Assaulting 12-Year-Old Girl Is Still At Large Salem County Man Indicted For Sexually Assaulting 12-Year-Old Girl Is Still At Large
Salem County Man Indicted For Sexually Assaulting 12-Year-Old Girl Is Still At Large A Salem County grand jury has indicted a Pittsgrove man for allegedly sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, authorities said. Emeterio Alavez-Cruz, 33, is accused of attacking the girl in June 2021, according to prior news accounts. New Jersey State Police issued a call for public assistance in locating Alavez-Cruz, who was known to have connections to Rio Grande, Wildwood, Bridgeton, Penns Grove and New Castle, Delaware. Alavez-Cruz is described as a Hispanic, about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Stat…
Bridgeton Man Arrested In Atlantic City Drug Bust Bridgeton Man Arrested In Atlantic City Drug Bust
Bridgeton Man Arrested In Atlantic City Drug Bust Two people were arrested after police recovered heroin, cocaine, and guns in a drug bust in Atlantic City, authorities said. Jamil Miller, 36, of Bridgeton, and Kameesha Coppin, 33, of Atlantic City, were each charged with more than a dozen counts, the Atlantic City Police Department announced on Wednesday, Feb. 14. They were arrested on Friday, Feb. 9 in a four-week drug-dealing investigation. Police executed a search warrant at a home on Mediterranean Avenue. Miller and Coppin were taken into custody in that home. Officers seized three guns, several loaded magazines, and additional ammun…
Cumberland County Coach Indicted For Sexually Assaulting Two Teenage Boys: Prosecutor Cumberland County Coach Indicted For Sexually Assaulting Two Teenage Boys: Prosecutor
Cumberland County Coach Indicted For Sexually Assaulting Two Teenage Boys: Prosecutor A youth sports coach from Cumberland County has been indicted on charges that he sexually assaulted two teenage boys, authorities said. Robert R. Marino, 73, of Bridgeton, was arrested on July 3, 2023, on charges related to an alleged incident involving a 16-year-old boy, they said. A grand jury indicted Marino on Jan. 24, according to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae.  A month after being charged in the first case, a second man claimed Marino sexually assaulted him for several years during the 1990s when he was a teenager and Marine was his coach, the prosecutor previ…
Pair Who Shot At State Police Officer At Salem County Mobile Home Park Sentenced: AG Pair Who Shot At State Police Officer At Salem County Mobile Home Park Sentenced: AG
Pair Who Shot At State Police Officer At Salem County Mobile Home Park Sentenced: AG Two more Cumberland County men have been sentenced to New Jersey State Prison in connection with the shooting of a State Police detective during a confrontation at a Salem County mobile home park, authorities said. A third gunman was previously sentenced. State Police Detective Richard Hershey, who was seriously wounded by a bullet fired by the third gunman, has since recovered and returned to duty. On Jan. 24, Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings, 25, of Bridgeton, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for aggravated assault and a weapons offense, according to according to Attorney General Matthew …
Man Charged With Assaulting Police Officer In Bridgeton Man Charged With Assaulting Police Officer In Bridgeton
Man Charged With Assaulting Police Officer In Bridgeton A 39-year-old man from Bridgeton was charged with assaulting a police officer, authorities said. Shortly after noon on Wednesday, Jan. 31, Bridgeton police responded 179 N. Pearl St, Dino Mart for a fight. Police found a victim and a suspect, identified as Rolfi Rodriguez-Perez. The suspect was told to leave but returned several times, police said. He ultimately kicked a police officer, they said. Rodriguez-Perez was charged with resisting arrest, hindering apprehension and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, police said.
Vineland Woman Allegedly Caught Breaking Into Car In Broad Daylight: Bridgeton PD Vineland Woman Allegedly Caught Breaking Into Car In Broad Daylight: Bridgeton PD
Vineland Woman Allegedly Caught Breaking Into Car In Broad Daylight: Bridgeton PD A 30-year-old South Jersey woman was caught allegedly breaking into a car on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 11, authorities said. Daquana Johnson of Vineland was charged with burglary, theft and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Bridgeton police. Police responded at 2:30 p.m. to 31 E. Broad St., for a report of a woman burglarizing a vehicle and removing items from the vehicle, police said. Police arrived and through their investigation and reviewing surveillance cameras were able to determine that Johnson committed the burglary, they said. She was arrested, Johnson was …
Widespread Power Outages, Downed Lines Affect 20K Customers In South Jersey Widespread Power Outages, Downed Lines Affect 20K Customers In South Jersey
Widespread Power Outages, Downed Lines Affect 20K Customers In South Jersey Utility crews continued to grapple with downed power lines that left nearly 20,000 homes and businesses without power in South Jersey after the storm. Scattered power outages totaling 18,000 customers persisted throughout Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties, according to Atlantic City Electric on Wednesday, Jan. 10. And nearly 1,400 homes and businesses remained without power early Wednesday in Burlington County, according to Jersey Central Power and Light. The other largest area power outages included Camden (950 customers), Bridgeton and surrounding areas (nearly 4,900), De…
South Jersey Driver Indicted In Hit-Run Crash Killing 10-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor South Jersey Driver Indicted In Hit-Run Crash Killing 10-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor
South Jersey Driver Indicted In Hit-Run Crash Killing 10-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor A grand jury has indicted a Cumberland County woman who allegedly struck a child with her SUV, then drove away without helping the girl, authorities said. Sierra A. Thomas, 28, of Bridgeton, was driving on May 10, 2023, when police said her SUV struck Larissa Muniz as she crossed East Broad Street in Bridgeton near a Wawa. Larissa, 10, died of her injuries 18 days later. Thomas initially was charged on May 30 with second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in the death of another, according to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. A Cumberland County grand jury i…
News Story About Bridgeton Christmas Shooting Is Fake, Made With AI, Police Say News Story About Bridgeton Christmas Shooting Is Fake, Made With AI, Police Say
News Story About Bridgeton Christmas Shooting Is Fake, Made With AI, Police Say There was no Christmas shooting in Bridgeton, despite what you might have read online, police said. An article published on Newsbreak claims a person was shot on the 100 block of West Broad Street and the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office was investigating was all fake. The report goes on to bemoan the state of gun violence in small towns in America. But the article was written by artificial intelligence and a disclaimer at the end said "it may contain errors." According to police, it was "entirely false." "Nothing even similar to this story occurred on or around Christmas, or e…
Pair Shot At Apartment Complex In Bridgeton: Police Pair Shot At Apartment Complex In Bridgeton: Police
Pair Shot At Apartment Complex In Bridgeton: Police Two people were shot at an apartment complex in South Jersey, authorities said On Thursday, Dec. 14 at about 8:20 p.m., Bridgeton police responded to Burlington Manor for shots fired. Police found two gunshot victims, a 17-year-old female and a 41-year-old male, both of Bridgeton. Both victims were airlifted to Cooper Medical Center in Camden for further treatment and were listed in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing.
Teen Amazon Worker Killed In Route 55 Crash Remembered By Loved Ones (TRIBUTE) Teen Amazon Worker Killed In Route 55 Crash Remembered By Loved Ones (TRIBUTE)
Teen Amazon Worker Killed In Route 55 Crash Remembered By Loved Ones (Tribute) Family and friends are mourning the loss of a teenager killed in a single-vehicle crash. Jorge Soriano Castelan of Bridgeton was killed on Dec. 2 when his car veered off Route 55 in Vineland and struck a tree, as previously reported by Daily Voice. A GoFundMe launched for Castelan's funeral had raised more than $1,500 as of Thursday, Dec. 14. "He worked tirelessly with the dream of providing for his loved ones, including the admirable goal of buying a home for his parents," reads the campaign, started by Citlalli Jimenez and Micaela Castelan. "He was the type of person who would…
NJ Pair Staged Dog Fights, Shared Vids On Telegram Of 'Underperformers' Being Hanged: Feds NJ Pair Staged Dog Fights, Shared Vids On Telegram Of 'Underperformers' Being Hanged: Feds
NJ Pair Staged Dog Fights, Shared Vids On Telegram Of 'Underperformers' Being Hanged: Feds Two South Jersey men were charged by federal authorities with participating in a depraved multi-state dog-fighting collective. Tommy J. Watson of Clayton and others used the “DMV Board” on the Telegram app to share videos of live dog fights, dogs being trained to fight and "the killing of underperforming fighting dogs, including by hanging,” U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said on Monday, Dec. 11. They also posted bloodline information on the dog fighting website “Peds Online” from an operation they called “From Da Bottom Kennels,” the U.S. attorney said. Federal authoriti…
Passenger Killed As Car Strikes Trees In Fairfield Passenger Killed As Car Strikes Trees In Fairfield
1 Killed In Route 670 Crash In Fairfield A passenger was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Cumberland County, authorities said. The crash occurred at 9:55 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10 on Route 670 in Fairfield, according to New Jersey State Police. The driver of a westbound vehicle veered off the road and struck two trees, State Police said. Hartley Pernell, 60, of Bridgeton, died of his injuries. The 57-year-old Millville woman driving the car, Pamela Herring, was seriously injured. Two other passengers — a 43-year-old Bridgeton woman and a 45-year-old man from Berlin in Camden County — suffered moderate injuries. All three were b…
19-Year-Old Driver Killed After Car Strikes Tree In South Jersey 19-Year-Old Driver Killed After Car Strikes Tree In South Jersey
19-Year-Old Driver Killed After Car Strikes Tree In South Jersey A 19-year-old man from Cumberland County was killed after his car veered off the roadway and struck a tree, authorities said. Jorge Soriano-Castelan, of Bridgeton, was driving south on Route 55 near Weymouth Road in Vineland at about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, when the crash occurred, according to New Jersey State Police. Soriano-Castelan lost control of his Infinity and struck a tree, State Police said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. 
3 Teens Arrested In Home Invasion Robbery In Bridgeton: Police 3 Teens Arrested In Home Invasion Robbery In Bridgeton: Police
3 Teens Arrested In Home Invasion Robbery In Bridgeton: Police Three 15-year-old boys were arrested in connection with a home invasion robbery in Bridgeton, authorities said. On Monday, Nov. 6, Bridgeton Police Detectives arrested the three youths for the home invasion that occurred on Rosenhayn Avenue on Nov. 2. All three Bridgeton youths were charged with robbery, conspiracy and theft. One of the boys was charged with weapons offenses and aggravated assault. All three juveniles were sent to the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center
Deadly 2021 Birthday Party Mass Shooting: Charges Upgraded For Suspect In Fairfield Deadly 2021 Birthday Party Mass Shooting: Charges Upgraded For Suspect In Fairfield
Deadly 2021 Birthday Party Mass Shooting: Charges Upgraded For Suspect In Fairfield Charges have been upgraded for the gunman now accused of shooting two partygoers dead in an incident that killed a total of three and wounded nearly a dozen in 2021 in South Jersey. Arthur Armstead, 30, of Fairfield Township, has been charged with first degree murder, one count of first degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and other related offenses in connection with the deaths of Kevin Elliott and Brailyn Holmes, Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said. Asia Hester, a 25-year-old healthcare worker, was also killed. Kevin Dawkins, of Bridgeton, was previously charged…
4 Teens Arrested In String Of Robberies, Assaults In Cumberland County 4 Teens Arrested In String Of Robberies, Assaults In Cumberland County
4 Teens Arrested In String Of Robberies, Assaults In Cumberland County Four youths have been arrested in connection with 11 robberies and assaults in Cumberland County since Sunday, authorities said. On Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 5:19 p.m., Bridgeton police were dispatched to the area of Bank Street and Marion Street for an assault. According to reports, the victim, a 59-year-old Bridgeton resident, was walking on Bank Street and was assaulted by a group of four juveniles. The juveniles removed property from the victim and fled the area on foot. The victim sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention. At 5:55 p.m., while police were investi…
Groups Of Youths Commit Robberies, Assaults In South Jersey: Police Groups Of Youths Commit Robberies, Assaults In South Jersey: Police
Groups Of Youths Commit Robberies, Assaults In South Jersey: Police Police in Bridgeton are investigating a series of robberies and assaults involving groups of juveniles, authorities said. Between Sunday and Monday, Bridgeton Police said they had nine reports of groups of young people assaulting victims. In some cases, the juveniles allegedly stole hundreds of dollars in cash. In several cases, the suspects were wearing all black. In another case, one black male was wearing a gray hoodie, a second black male was wearing a white sweatshirt, a third black male was wearing a black sweater, and another was an unknown dark-colored hoodie.  Seve…
Traffic Signal Down Closing Route 49 In Cumberland County Traffic Signal Down Closing Route 49 In Cumberland County
Traffic Signal Down Closing Route 49 In Cumberland County A crash toppled a traffic signal closing all lanes of Route 49 in Bridgeton, authorities said. The crash occurred at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10 east of Route 77, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
'Want To Feel Pain?': Bridgeton Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Handcuffed Driver Pleads Guilty 'Want To Feel Pain?': Bridgeton Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Handcuffed Driver Pleads Guilty
'Want To Feel Pain?': Bridgeton Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Handcuffed Driver Pleads Guilty A South Jersey police officer admitted in federal court to using excessive force when he twice pepper-sprayed a drunken but cooperative driver while handcuffed in 2017, authorities announced. John Grier III, 51, of Cedarville — who was indicted in 2021 — pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden in federal court on Thursday, Oct. 5, to a superseding information charging him with one count of violating an individual’s civil rights, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. A sworn Bridgeton police officer since 2004, Grier's admission is in connection with an…
Tips Arise With Release Of Dulce Maria Alavez' Photos, South Jersey Authorities Say Tips Arise With Release Of Dulce Maria Alavez' Photos, South Jersey Authorities Say
Tips Arise With Release Of Dulce Maria Alavez' Photos, South Jersey Authorities Say Cumberland County authorities have received about a dozen new tips on the 2019 disappearance of Dulce Maria Alavez from a Bridgeton playground, they said after the release of her photos last week. "Yes. Investigators are following up as we speak," Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Her office received six new tips, she said. Bridgeton City Police received about new six tips, according to Police Chief Michael Gaimari. But Gaimari cautioned, "Nothing substantial has been reported to me."  About half were possible sightings and half "just …
Bridgeton Man Stabbed In Chest, Suspect Arrested: Police Bridgeton Man Stabbed In Chest, Suspect Arrested: Police
Bridgeton Man Stabbed In Chest, Suspect Arrested: Police A 25-year-old man from Bridgeton has been arrested in connection with a stabbing that left another man in critical condition, authorities said. Shortly after midnight on Friday, Sept. 15, Bridgeton police were dispatched to a unit block on Walnut Street for a stabbing.  Police found the victim, a 54-year-old Bridgeton resident, with a stab wound to his chest. The victim was airlifted to Cooper Medical Center for treatment and was listed in critical but stable condition, police said. A short time later, police found Daniel Perez of Walnut Street nearby and placed him under ar…
4 Years Later: What Dulce Maria Alavez Would Look Like Now 4 Years Later: What Dulce Maria Alavez Would Look Like Now
4 Years Later: What Dulce Maria Alavez Would Look Like Now Dulce Maria Alavez would be nine years old. She was just five when she went missing on Sept. 16, 2019, while at a Cumberland County playground with her younger brother, Manny. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released a new "progressive sketch" that shows what Dulce Maria would look like today. A vigil will be held Saturday, Sept. 16 at 4:30 p.m. at Bridgeton City Park's Dulce tree —dedicated to the missing child near the playground where she was last seen. The tree is often decorated with flowers, balloons and well wishes for the girl's return. Cumberland County Pro…