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Law Enforcement

UPDATE: Quartet Flees Following Botched Maywood Jewelry Store Robbery UPDATE: Quartet Flees Following Botched Maywood Jewelry Store Robbery
Update: Quartet Flees Following Botched Maywood Jewelry Store Robbery Authorities are investigating the failed robbery of a Maywood jewelry store. The female owner and a male customer were in Diamond Fantasy on West Pleasant Avenue when two gunmen entered around 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, authorities said. Two others outside apparently acted as lookouts, they said. All left empty-handed, although at the moment it's unclear why.  No one was injured and no arrests had been made as of early Wednesday. Police recovered a moped, detained and interviewed potential suspects and collected statements and video from in and around the scene. A local resident…
Morris County Man, 66, Stabbed While Reading Book At Port Authority Bus Terminal: Police Morris County Man, 66, Stabbed While Reading Book At Port Authority Bus Terminal: Police
Morris County Man, 66, Stabbed While Reading Book At Port Authority Bus Terminal: Police A 66-year-old Morris County man was stabbed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan on Monday, April 22, authorities said. Michael McCloskey, 42, of California, was taken into custody by Port Authority police officers who heard the victim's screams at the north subway mezzanine level of the terminal just before 5:45 a.m., Port Authority Police of New York and New Jersey, and its PBA said. The attacker dropped the knife after being confronted at gunpoint by police, the PBA said. The victim was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and the incident is under inve…
Officer Justified Shooting Knife-Wielding Englewood Man During Struggle Officer Justified Shooting Knife-Wielding Englewood Man During Struggle
Officer Justified Shooting Knife-Wielding Englewood Man During Struggle UPDATE: An Englewood police officer was justified in shooting a man who'd just stabbed three people, a grand jury ruled on Monday, April 22, following a state-required review. Chilling bodycam videos clearly show Englewood Police Officer Luana Sharpe and other officers were struggling over a knife with 22-year-old city resident Bernard Placide when she shot him on Labor Day 2022. A grand jury review was nonetheless required under New Jersey law because Placide died during an encounter with law enforcement. Evidence was collected by investigators with the state Office of Public Integrity an…
Wanted On Warrants: Trio Nabbed With Drugs, Dog In Hasbrouck Heights Wanted On Warrants: Trio Nabbed With Drugs, Dog In Hasbrouck Heights
Wanted On Warrants: Trio Nabbed With Drugs, Dog In Hasbrouck Heights A suspicious vehicle call led Hasbrouck Heights police to a drug-carrying, canine-accompanied trio wanted on warrants, authorities said. Officers Christopher Connors and Sgt. Dom D’Amico found the Subaru sedan in a Boulevard parking lot shortly before 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 21, Lt. John Behr said. Officers Paul Albanese, Michael DeSimone and John Mullins joined them along with Wood-Ridge Officers Mark Torsiello and Devin Ochiuzzo, the lieutenant said. The three occupants were all sent to the Bergen County Jail after the officers found crack, clonazepam pills and dozens of empty wax paper…
Hunterdon County Man Busted With Crack Pipe In Traffic Stop: Fairfield PD Hunterdon County Man Busted With Crack Pipe In Traffic Stop: Fairfield PD
Hunterdon County Man Busted With Crack Pipe In Traffic Stop: Fairfield PD A 47-year-old Hunterdon County man was arrested and hit with multiple drug charges after he was found in possession of a crack pipe during a traffic stop on Fairfield on Wednesday, April 17, authorities said. At 12:47 p.m., police noticed a white Jeep Patriot making an illegal U-turn after exiting the highway in order to turn and head back toward Route 46, Fairfield police said in a release. Police conducted a traffic stop and the driver, Victor Romero would not obey with police's request to remain with the vehicle, officers said. Romero was found to be in possession of a crack pipe and con…
Motorcyclist Killed In NJ Crash With State Trooper Was 'Sublimely Talented' Guitarist Motorcyclist Killed In NJ Crash With State Trooper Was 'Sublimely Talented' Guitarist
Motorcyclist Killed In NJ Crash With State Trooper Was 'Sublimely Talented' Guitarist They called him Frankie Fender. Frank Lando, that is: The 65-year-old Toms River motorcyclist, guitarist, and father killed in an April 9 crash in Southampton with a New Jersey state trooper. On Friday, April 19, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin released Lando's identity, as well as that of the trooper involved: Anthony Fernandes. Fernandes was conducting routine patrol duties along Route 70 around 11:35 a.m. in Southampton that day, when his marked patrol car collided with Lando's motorcycle near Burrs Mill Road, Platkin said. Lando was taken to Virtua Mount Holly …
Scooter Rider Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer, State AG Says Scooter Rider Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer, State AG Says
Scooter Rider Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer, State AG Says A man riding a motorized scooter was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Route 35 in Monmouth County that involved a local police officer, state authorities said. The crash occurred on the highway's southbound side near Sunset Avenue in Ocean Township shortly after 9 p.m. Monday, April 15, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said on Tuesday. The identity of the scooter rider, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was temporarily being withheld, as was the name of the on-duty Ocean Township officer, Platkin said. Neither the officer nor anyone else involved in the crash was injured, …
Alarm Malfunction Triggers Lockdown, Massive Law Enforcement Response At Westwood HS Alarm Malfunction Triggers Lockdown, Massive Law Enforcement Response At Westwood HS
Alarm Malfunction Triggers Lockdown, Massive Law Enforcement Response At Westwood HS An alarm system malfunction forced the lockdown Tuesday of Westwood Regional High School and brought a legion of law enforcement and tactical officers to Washington Township. The entire building was searched following the 11:07 a.m. lockdown, Washington Township Police Chief John Calamari said. The search confirmed there wasn't a threat of any kind and the lockdown was stepped down to a shelter in place. The system malfunctioned a second time after being reset, the chief said. An early 12:50 p.m. dismissal allowed technicians to investigate the cause, Schools Supt. Jill Mortimer said…
Dumont Man Seized After SWAT Standoff Following Series Of Threatening Messages, Chief Says Dumont Man Seized After SWAT Standoff Following Series Of Threatening Messages, Chief Says
Dumont Man Seized After SWAT Standoff Following Series Of Threatening Messages, Chief Says A Dumont man was seized following a brief SWAT standoff after he threatened borough police, authorities said. Michael D. Tolan, 49, was upset by two motor vehicle summonses he received on Saturday, April 13, Dumont Police Chief Brian Joyce said. He then contacted Dumont Municipal Court and left nine voicemails “voicemails threatening to do harm to former and current members of the Dumont Police Department,” the chief said. A Bergen County Regional SWAT team and Cresskill police joined their Dumont colleagues at Tolan’s Magnolia Avenue home on Saturday. “After a brief standoff, Mr. Tolan …
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…
Ex-Con Charged With Pointing Illegal Gun During Dispute In Garfield Ex-Con Charged With Pointing Illegal Gun During Dispute In Garfield
Ex-Con Charged With Pointing Illegal Gun During Dispute In Garfield Garfield police investigating a report of a man pointing a gun at a victim during a dispute seized an ex-con from Paterson. Officers responding to a John Street residence found a defaced .22-caliber handgun and a magazine loaded with 10 rounds that belonged to Kelvin Merello, 37, Garfield Police Capt. Mario Pozo said. They arrested Merello and charged him with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats and multiple weapons counts -- including illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Merello -- whose online bio lists him as a personal trainer -- has remained in the Bergen Co…
Motorcyclist Killed In Crash With New Jersey State Police Car In South Jersey: AG Motorcyclist Killed In Crash With New Jersey State Police Car In South Jersey: AG
Motorcyclist Killed In Crash With New Jersey State Police Car In South Jersey: AG A motorcyclist was killed in a collision involving an on-duty New Jersey State Police trooper in South Jersey Tuesday, April 9, state officials said. An on-duty state trooper was conducting routine patrol duties on Route 70 in Southampton, when the vehicle "was involved in a collision" with a civilian motorcycle near Burrs Mill Road  New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. The motorcyclist was taken to Virtua Mount Holly Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 12:45 p.m. The state trooper involved in the collision did not sufferer significant injuries,…
4 Newark Men, 2 With Records, Arrested In Shooting Of Georgia Fugitive: Cops 4 Newark Men, 2 With Records, Arrested In Shooting Of Georgia Fugitive: Cops
4 Newark Men, 2 With Records, Arrested In Shooting Of Georgia Fugitive: Cops Four Newark men including two with prior arrests were arrested after a man was shot in Union Township on Monday, April 8, authorities said. Quazir Robinson, 18, Dabson Fofana, 21, Yaleem Prothro, 23 and Mecca Latham, 23 have all been charged with aggravated assault and numerous weapons offenses in the shooting of a 44-year-old man in the backyard of a home at  Carnegie Place near Laurel Avenue, Union Township police said in a release. The victim was found having suffered a gunshot wound to his thigh and graze wound to his arm, and was profusely bleeding while lying on the ground …
Ridgefield Park Officer Finds Gun, Hollow-Nose Ammo, $24,500 After Stopping Out-Of-State Driver Ridgefield Park Officer Finds Gun, Hollow-Nose Ammo, $24,500 After Stopping Out-Of-State Driver
Ridgefield Park Officer Finds Gun, Hollow-Nose Ammo, $24,500 After Stopping Out-Of-State Driver A Ridgefield Park police officer turned up a handgun loaded with hollow-nose bullets, a small amount of crystal meth and $24,500 in suspicious cash during a traffic stop, authorities said. Officer Amanda Thomas stopped the Toyota Tundra for a number of violations at Main and Hobart streets shortly after 10 a.m. Monday, April 8, Police Chief Joseph Rella said. The driver, 40-year-old Mexican national Raul Villanueva Muratalla of Nashville, was taken into custody a short time later, he said. Muratalla was charged with unlawful weapons possession, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpo…
Two Juveniles Arrested For Vehicle Theft: Nutley PD Two Juveniles Arrested For Vehicle Theft: Nutley PD
Two Juveniles Arrested For Vehicle Theft: Nutley PD Two juveniles have been apprehended after a car was stolen in Nutley last month, police said. On Wednesday, March 6 at 4:21 a.m., the two juveniles entered a home on Alexander Avenue through a rear door and stole the keys to a Land Rover parked in the driveway, Police Director Alphonse Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo said. The vehicle was recovered in East Orange a day later, police said. The juveniles have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and motor vehicle theft, police said.
Newark Teen, Grandmother Busted: Guns, Ammo Seized After Secaucus Car Burglary Arrest Newark Teen, Grandmother Busted: Guns, Ammo Seized After Secaucus Car Burglary Arrest
Newark Teen, Grandmother Busted: Guns, Ammo Seized After Secaucus Car Burglary Arrest Police who nabbed a Newark teen for a car burglary in Secaucus ended up seizing both him and his grandmother after finding three handguns and 400 rounds of ammunition at their home, authorities said. Secaucus police originally charged Malahki E. Issac, 18, with burglary and theft for the vehicle break-in and released him last month. A deeper dive by members of the department’s Anti-Crime Unit led them to even more serious offenses, Police Chief Dennis Miller said. After obtaining an arrest warrant, the detectives scoop up Isaac on Springfield Avenue in Newark on Thursday, April 4. Members…
Newark Police Seek Shooting Suspect (PHOTO) Newark Police Seek Shooting Suspect (PHOTO)
Newark Police Seek Shooting Suspect (Photo) A man wanted for a shooting in Newark on the morning of Wednesday, March 20, is at large, police said.  At 7 a.m., Newark police responded to the 100 block of West Runyon Street and found a man had fired a handgun toward Hawthorne Avenue, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé said.  No injuries were reported, though police recovered a .9 mm shell casing at the scene, Fragé said. Police are hoping to use surveillance footage to help identify the suspect, Fragé said. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-877-695-8477.
Former Newark Public Safety Director Accidentally Shot Himself — With Someone Else's Gun: PD Former Newark Public Safety Director Accidentally Shot Himself — With Someone Else's Gun: PD
Former Newark Public Safety Director Accidentally Shot Himself — With Someone Else's Gun: PD Anthony Ambrose, who has a lengthy career in law enforcement in Essex County, accidentally shot himself with another person's gun on Friday, March 22, police said. Responding to many unanswered questions about the shooting, Cedar Grove police issued a news release laying out what happened to Ambrose at 2 Village Park Road, where Ambrose keeps an office as a private investigator.  Ambrose previously served as chief of detectives for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and public safety director for the City of Newark. After the discharge, Ambrose was taken to the hospital by another m…
Bomb Scare At Glen Rock Schools Traced To Franklin Lakes Boy, 13 Bomb Scare At Glen Rock Schools Traced To Franklin Lakes Boy, 13
Bomb Scare At Glen Rock Schools Traced To Franklin Lakes Boy, 13 A voicemail bomb threat left with the Glen Rock Board of Education was traced to a 13-year-old boy from Franklin Lakes, authorities said. The caller claimed there was a bomb in a school but didn’t say which one, Glen Rock Police Chief Dean Ackermann said. “The message, which appeared to be from a child, was more than 12 hours old when discovered, and staff had observed nothing suspicious at any of the borough’s schools,” the chief said. “At no time was there any evidence to support the idea that any school facility could have been compromised,” he added. Police Sgt. Greg Carter and Detec…
SEEN HIM? Hackensack Police Pursue Fugitive, Arrest Gal Pal Who Phoned In Phony Report SEEN HIM? Hackensack Police Pursue Fugitive, Arrest Gal Pal Who Phoned In Phony Report
Seen HIM? Hackensack Police Pursue Fugitive, Arrest Gal Pal Who Phoned In Phony Report A search continued for a Bronx man after Hackensack police seized a loaded gun, 700 rounds of ammo and more from a car with bogus license plates that he’d allegedly left parked downtown. Detectives arrested a local caretaker who they said called in a bogus report of a man with a gun in an apparent attempt to throw police off the trail. Meleny Gingel Diaz, 27, of Hackensack was charged with causing a false public alarm, obstruction and hindering apprehension, among other offenses, Capt. Michael Antista said. Diaz spent barely a day in the Bergen County Jail before being released pending cou…
What Are The Chances? PAPD Nabs Back-To-Back Lincoln Tunnel Toll Evaders Who Owe $472G Combined What Are The Chances? PAPD Nabs Back-To-Back Lincoln Tunnel Toll Evaders Who Owe $472G Combined
What Are The Chances? Papd Nabs Back-To-Back Lincoln Tunnel Toll Evaders Who Owe $472G Combined Go figure. It didn't take long for a crackdown on toll evaders to snag two major violators, both of them at the Lincoln Tunnel -- and on the same day, no less. Port Authority police stopped a New Jersey-based D. Rubio’s Express truck for having "unclear" license plates and found 1,811 "known unpaid violations," Spokeswoman Lenis Valens said. Total unpaid tolls and fees: $214,000. The driver also received three summonses for unclear plates (front and rear) and an expired diesel emissions test, Valens said. Later that day, officers stopped another vehicle without a front plate, she said. …
Authorities ID Gunman Killed In Shootout That Wounded NJ Officer During Domestic Call Authorities ID Gunman Killed In Shootout That Wounded NJ Officer During Domestic Call
Authorities ID Gunman Killed In Shootout That Wounded NJ Officer During Domestic Call 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A man who wounded a Hamilton Township police officer and was killed in a shootout earlier this month was formally identified by state authorities on Wednesday. Vincent Correa, 44, of Hamilton fired a rifle at Officers Derek Fiabane and Paul Piromalli as they responded to a 911 domestic call on Orchard Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. March 8, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. "The officers returned fire, fatally wounding Correa," the attorney general said on March 20. The father of two -- who Platkin said was also carrying a handgun -- was pronounced dead at the sc…
Bergen Ex-Con Busted With Pistol Two Days After Prison Release Bergen Ex-Con Busted With Pistol Two Days After Prison Release
Bergen Ex-Con Busted With Pistol Two Days After Prison Release A Garfield ex-con was caught with a gun during a Little Ferry police stop just two days after he was released from prison, authorities said. Nazir R. Halloway, 26, spent a mandatory one year behind bars coincidentally after pleading guilty last year to unlawful possession of a handgun, records show. He was paroled on Monday, March 18, according to the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Little Ferry Lt. John Andronaco was on patrol when he spotted a 2020 Acura ILX with darkly-tinted windows in the parking lot of the Stagecoach Motel just off westbound Route 46 shortly after midnight Wedn…
Grand Jury Backs Elizabeth Officer Who Stopped Knife-Wielding Man Attempting To Stab Woman Grand Jury Backs Elizabeth Officer Who Stopped Knife-Wielding Man Attempting To Stab Woman
Grand Jury Backs Elizabeth Officer Who Stopped Knife-Wielding Man Attempting To Stab Woman 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: An Elizabeth police officer was fully justified in neutralizing an enraged man who went after a woman with a long-bladed knife last summer, a state grand jury has found. New Jersey law requires grand jury reviews of all fatal police shootings even when police bodycam video is clear -- as in this case -- and there's no mistaking the series of events (ditto). This one was literally over in seconds. Officer Steven Lazo and his partner had just responded to a 911 call of an unwanted person involved in a dispute on Amity Street shortly after 8 a.m. July 29, when the incident occurred. …
STANDOFF-ISH: Barricaded Hackensack Man, 21, Seized By SWAT For Second Time In 6 Weeks STANDOFF-ISH: Barricaded Hackensack Man, 21, Seized By SWAT For Second Time In 6 Weeks
Standoff-ish: Barricaded Hackensack Man, 21, Seized By SWAT For Second Time In 6 Weeks Wasting little time, members of a Bergen County Regional SWAT team burst through an apartment door and seized a Hackensack man who'd barricaded himself inside for the second time in six weeks. Fairview police had called their Hackensack colleagues seeking a welfare check at the Newman Street apartment in the Oratam Court development between Atlantic and Sussex streets around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, said Capt. Michael Antista, the officer in charge of the department. They'd been there the morning of Jan. 27 and, like before, had to call for tactical officers when the tenant refused…
'GHOST TAGS': Massive Crackdown On License Plate Fraud Begins At GWB, Lincoln Tunnel 'GHOST TAGS': Massive Crackdown On License Plate Fraud Begins At GWB, Lincoln Tunnel
'Ghost Tags': Massive Crackdown On License Plate Fraud Begins At GWB, Lincoln Tunnel A massive campaign to identify and seize "ghost plate" vehicles roared from the starting line with 73 impounds, 282 summonses and eight arrests at the Lincoln Tunnel and George Washington and Triborough bridges, authorities announced on Tuesday. Port Authority police seized plates and vehicles from 30 motorists at the Lincoln and the GWB while issuing 142 summonses, sources there told Daily Voice. They also impounded three vehicles responsible for more than $700,000 in unpaid tolls and fees -- including more than $130,000 tied to a single New Jersey company, Green Brothers Logisti…
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" …
UPDATE: NJ Police Officer Wounded, Domestic Violence Suspect Killed In Shootout UPDATE: NJ Police Officer Wounded, Domestic Violence Suspect Killed In Shootout
Update: NJ Police Officer Wounded, Domestic Violence Suspect Killed In Shootout A gunman was killed and a local police officer in Mercer County wounded multiple times in a shootout following a domestic violence incident Friday night, New Jersey's top law enforcement official confirmed. A 911 domestic violence call brought Hamilton Township police to an Orchard Avenue home around 10 p.m. March 8, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said on Saturday. "During the encounter, a civilian armed with a rifle exchanged gunfire with two officers," Platkin said. "The civilian was fatally wounded and pronounced dead at the scene. One officer was also struck and is being tr…
Haledon PD Charges Wanted Passaic Man With Stabbing, Choking Woman Haledon PD Charges Wanted Passaic Man With Stabbing, Choking Woman
Haledon PD Charges Wanted Passaic Man With Stabbing, Choking Woman A manhunt ended with the capture of a Passaic resident wanted for stabbing and choking a woman in a Haledon domestic assault and a subsequent order by a judge to release him. The victim was taken to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center with a serious stab wound in her foot, as well as choke marks, after police responding to a call found her, authorities said. The Haledon Police Investigative and Special Services Bureau then went to work, Deputy Police Chief George Guzman Jr. said. With help from the Passaic County sheriff’s forensic unit, the investigators identified Joseph Hernandez, 24…
BUSTED! 10 People Arrested In Newark For Outstanding Warrants: Police BUSTED! 10 People Arrested In Newark For Outstanding Warrants: Police
Busted! 10 People Arrested In Newark For Outstanding Warrants: Police It was a busy February for the Newark police. Ten people were arrested on outstanding warrants in the city, ranging from aggravated assault to being in possession of a handgun, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé said. Brenda Velasquez, a 46-year-old Kearney resident, was arrested on Wednesday, Feb. 7 after a warrant was issued for her arrest on charges of aggravated assault and weapon possession following an altercation with a woman in January, Fragé said. Tanieka Sanchez, a 27-year-old Newark resident, was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 20, after she was wanted on…
Retired NJ Police Chief Showed Up Drunk To Work, Berated Officers: Investigation Details Retired NJ Police Chief Showed Up Drunk To Work, Berated Officers: Investigation Details
Retired NJ Police Chief Showed Up Drunk To Work, Berated Officers: Investigation Details A Jersey Shore police chief who retired after a heated argument with one of his sergeants broke more than two dozen law enforcement rules and had an "irretrievably broken" relationship with his officers, authorities said. Former Bradley Beach police Chief Leonard Guida committed 28 violations in seven incidents between July 2022 and November 2023, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said on Friday, March 1, the same day Guida retired — six months early. "The findings outlined in this report illustrate unmistakably that over the previous year and a half, Chief Guida has been an …