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'Incredible Talent:' Spirited NJ Performer Eric Ubl Dies, 34
Tributes are pouring in for Kean University graduate and passionate New Jersey musician Eric James Ubl, who died at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton on Tuesday, June 13 at the age of 34.
A lifelong performer at heart, Eric grew up in Edison, his obituary says. He learned to play several instruments — piano, cello, acoustic and bass guitar, drums, and various brass — but could just as easily captivate audiences with the unique quality of his voice. He performed with groups including Pandora’s Promise, Midnight Mosaic, and Exit 10.
Eric started taking music lessons when he …
Colombian Nationals Nabbed After NJ Home Break-In Nets Jewelry, Furs, Cash, More
Three Colombian nationals remain in federal custody and a fourth has already been deported after the government said they stole jewelry, a Rolex, an antique rifle, furs and cash in a home burglary in Union County.
The quartet also took a stamp collection, luxury bags and more after breaking into the Cranford home shortly before 5 p.m. last Nov. 30, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.
They then loaded the valuables into a red Honda Accord that they'd driven there, an FBI complaint on file in U.S. District Court in Newark says.
Sellinger, who put the total value of the loss at more than …
Distraction Burglars Fool Montvale Resident, 87, But Joke's On Them, Chief Says
An 87-year-old Montvale homeowner was kept distracted by a burglar whose partner slipped in and swiped a lock box from the victim's home.
The joke was on them, however: There weren't any valuables in it, authorities said.
Dino Pizzo, 47, was arrested at his Edison home on Saturday, April 29, after Montvale Police Detective Sgt. Andrew Fedick identified him as the stealthy intruder, Police Chief Douglas McDowell said.
Pizzo's partner went to the victim's home on a dead-end street on the east side of town shortly after 1:30 p.m. Thursday with a story about doing tree work and a question abou…
Boonton Police Captain Stole Personnel, IA Files From HQ, Stashed Them At Shore, In Edison: AG
A town of Boonton police veteran who claimed he’d been harassed because of his role as a union negotiator was captured on surveillance video stealing his own internal affairs records along with computer drives containing department data, state authorities charged.
Capt. Stephen Jones, 42, of Toms River, was his department’s officer-in-charge when he removed at least five computer towers, “three of which contained police information, including files on internal affairs matters,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said on Wednesday, March 8.
Jones also stole his own personnel and …
Tappin' IT: Manager Admits Embezzling $4.5M From NJ Brain Injury Fund For Sex With Gal Pals
The now-former manager of a fund for traumatic brain injury patients in New Jersey admitted diverting more than $4.5 million in public money to women he was having sex with, authorities said.
Harry Pizutelli, 64, of Edison, pleaded guilty by videoconference to conspiring to commit health care fraud before a federal judge in Trenton, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Wednesday, Jan. 4.
One of the women who benefitted from the scheme, Maritza Flores, 45, of Toms River, pleaded guilty to the same charge, as well as to tax evasion, Sellinger said.
In exchange, Pizutelli had amorou…
$1M, Sixteen $50K Powerball Tickets Sold Across NJ As Jackpot Rolls To $1.9B
A $1 million Powerball ticket and a slew of third-tier winning tickets were sold across New Jersey, as the jackpot rolls to yet another record-high.
The numbers from the Saturday, Nov. 5 drawing were: 28, 45, 53, 56 and 69. The Red Power Ball number was 20. The Power Play was 3X.
The $1 million ticket was sold at Quick Stop, 940 Inman Ave. in Edison. The $150,000 ticket was sold at Township Stationary on Pascack Road in Washington Township.
The $50,000 tickets were sold at the following locations:
Atlantic County: New International Supermarket, 4101 Ventnor Ave., Atlan…
$1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report
Four suspended police officers from Edison were paid $1.4 million during the two years they awaited trial for billing the town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, NJ Advance Media reports.
The officers have been on paid suspension ever since, but were put on unpaid leave earlier this month when new indictments were announced against Sgt. Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory Makras, 38, of Cranford and Sgt. Brian Rossmeyer, 45, of Bridgewater, according to the outlet and Middlesex County Pr…
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor
Four suspended police officers from Central Jersey bilked their town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, authorities said.
The Edison Police officers were charged with racketeering, bribery, theft, money laundering and witness tampering, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department said on Friday, Oct. 14.
They did not say how much taxpayer money was stolen by the former officers.
Sergeant Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory&nbs…