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North Plainfield, NJ

GOTCHA! Federal, State Team Seize Local Man, 24, In Rutgers Islamic Center Vandalism GOTCHA! Federal, State Team Seize Local Man, 24, In Rutgers Islamic Center Vandalism
Gotcha! Federal, State Team Seize Local Man, 24, In Rutgers Islamic Center Vandalism UPDATE: An elite law enforcement team captured a 24-year-old local man on Monday who authorities said broke in and trashed the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University in New Brunswick earlier this month. Jacob Beacher was due for an initial afternoon appearance on federal hate crime charges in U.S. District Court in Newark on April 22. Beacher broke into the CILRU shortly after 2:30 a.m. April 10 and did an estimated $40,000 worth of damage, state and federal authorities said. It was during the Eid-al-Fitr -- the Islamic holiday commemorating the end of sunrise-to-dusk fasting during…
Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD
Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD A 57-year old Plainfield man was fatally struck by a car as he was checking on a pedestrian he hit with his vehicle near Costco in North Plainfield on Thursday, April 4, authorities said. At 11:37 p.m. police responded to Route 22 East and discovered two motor vehicle crashes had taken place, North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti said. Danti Bryant had just struck a 31-year-old North Plainfield woman who was injured and lying in the roadway, Parenti said. As Bryant exited his vehicle to investigate what he had struck, he was struck by another vehicle that swerved to avoid hitting the…
Three Burglars Break Into Dispensary, Take $1,200: North Plainfield PD Three Burglars Break Into Dispensary, Take $1,200: North Plainfield PD
Three Burglars Break Into Dispensary, Take $1,200: North Plainfield PD Three burglars broke into a dispensary in North Plainfield just after midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 3, taking more than $1,200 in cash, authorities said. At 12:58 a.m., the three unknown suspects, wearing all black clothing, broke into Cloud 9 Dispensary at 513 Route 22 West by shattering the side window, police said. The suspects ransacked the cash registers, taking the money, before fleeing on foot, police said. The suspects remain at large, police said as they continue to investigate. 
Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease
Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease Support is on the rise for a Somerset County family mourning the loss of a devoted dad after a 10-year battle with kidney disease. David Betancourt died surrounded by his beloved family at RJW Somerset on Monday, Nov. 6, his obituary says. He was 69. Born and raised in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, David lived in Plainfield, Somerville, and California before settling in North Plainfield in 2007. He was a member of the army in Guatemala before arriving in the United States in the 1980s, his memorial says. Described as a “man of all trades,” David loved soccer, especially watching the World Cu…
Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Pat Pespas Found Safe After Missing For Month Across NJ, PA Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Pat Pespas Found Safe After Missing For Month Across NJ, PA
Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Pat Pespas Found Safe After Missing For Month Across NJ, PA Patrick J. Pespas, who starred in HBO's "Telemarketers," has been found safe. Pespas, 55, of Phillipsburg, has been found safe and was home with his wife, Sue, directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Bhala Lough said on Pespas' Instagram account Friday, Oct. 27. Pespas had been missing since Sept. 29, when he was seen in Easton, PA, and later at a bar in the Pittsburg area. Pespas, formerly of North Plainfield and Plainfield, NJ, has been living with his wife in Easton, PA.  He teamed up with Lipman-Stern to create the three-part HBO mini docu-series "Telemarketers," which shined a …
NJ's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing NJ's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing
NJ's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing Patrick J. Pespas, who starred in HBO's "Telemarketers," has been missing for days, those who know him say. Pespas, 55, of Phillipsburg, was last seen in the Easton, PA area around 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, according to directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Bhala Lough Pespas, formerly of North Plainfield and Plainfield, teamed up with Lipman-Stern to create the three-part HBO mini docu-series "Telemarketers," which shined a light on the truth about the telemarketing industry. It premiered in August. Bhala Lough said on Sunday, Oct. 1 Pespas may have been spotted at a bar in Pittsburgh. …
Former Employees Forged Over $65K In Checks From Somerset County Contracting Firm: Prosecutor Former Employees Forged Over $65K In Checks From Somerset County Contracting Firm: Prosecutor
Former Employees Forged Over $65K In Checks From Somerset County Contracting Firm: Prosecutor Two former workers at a contracting firm in Somerset County were arrested for allegedly forging checks from their employer and making more than $65,000 in unauthorized purchases. Carlos R. Escobar, 38, of Jefferson Avenue in North Plainfield, and Ciro A. Saenz-Puentes, 44, of Remson Avenue in New Brunswick, were each charged with theft by deception, forgery, and uttering a false document, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a release on Monday, Sept. 25. Escobar and Saenz-Puentes became the center of an investigation when the owner of the contracting company they were former…
2 Injured, 1 Critically, In Somerset County Fire: Prosecutor 2 Injured, 1 Critically, In Somerset County Fire: Prosecutor
2 Injured, 1 Critically, In Somerset County Fire: Prosecutor Authorities are investigating the cause of a Somerset County fire that hurt two residents, one critically. The blaze broke out at a home on Mountain Avenue in North Plainfield around 3:10 a.m. Sunday, June 4, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said alongside local Police Chief William Parenti. Two men were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, where one of them remained in critical condition, McDonald said. The cause of the fire was being investigated but did not seem suspicious, the prosecutor added. Assisting agencies include fire crews in Bridgewater/Finderne, Bound Brook,…
These NJ Schools Are Closed, Delayed Due To Snow Tuesday, Feb. 28 These NJ Schools Are Closed, Delayed Due To Snow Tuesday, Feb. 28
These NJ Schools Are Closed, Delayed Due To Snow Tuesday, Feb. 28 The first winter storm of the season is causing a change in plans for New Jersey schools on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Some districts have delayed openings while others are closed completely. Here's a list of which school are closed or delayed for Tuesday, Feb. 28. Check your school/district's website for details. Bedminster: 10: 50 a.m. start Bellville: Delayed Bergen County Tech: Closed Bergenfield: 2-hour delay Bernards: 2-hour delay Bloomfield: Delay Bloomingdale: Closed Bogota: Delayed Butler: Closed Cliffside Park: 10 a.m. start Clifton: Delayed Closter: Delayed Cresskill: Delayed Demarest: …
NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 9-Year-Old Captured Trying To Board Flight: Prosecutor NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 9-Year-Old Captured Trying To Board Flight: Prosecutor
NJ Man Who Sexually Assaulted 9-Year-Old Captured Trying To Board Flight: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl while boarding a flight from Chicago to Utah, authorities said. The alleged victim told a detective with the prosecutor's office that she had been sexually assaulted by Fabian Osuna-Vargas on Oct. 19 in North Plainfield, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Two days later, Osuna-Vargas was getting on a flight from Chicago, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah on Oct. 21 when he was captured, McDonald said. He was charged with aggravated sex assault and child endangerment. Osuna-Varga…
Man Shot At NJ House Party Man Shot At NJ House Party
Man Shot At NJ House Party A 20-year-old New Jersey man was shot during a house party Friday, July 8, authorities said. The victim was one of the dozens of guests at a party somewhere near Arnold Avenue when authorities found him at Vermeule Park in North Plainfield suffering a gunshot wound to his upper body around 10:45 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Officers and responding Emergency Medical Personnel tended to the shooting victim who was treated at an undisclosed area hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Authorities are attempting to determine the motive for the shootin…
Warehouse Construction Begins At Huge Industrial Park In Central Jersey Warehouse Construction Begins At Huge Industrial Park In Central Jersey
Warehouse Construction Begins At Huge Industrial Park In Central Jersey Construction has begun on a large state-of-the-art warehouse in Middlesex County. The 30,000-square-foot building will be located at Rutgers Industrial Center in Piscataway, according to its developer, Levin Management Construction. (LMC) The Class A warehouse facility, at 101 Circle Drive North, is slated to open this summer. LMC serves as asset manager for Rutgers Industrial Center, a five-building, 493,000-square-foot industrial/warehouse complex situated in the heart of the I-287 industrial corridor.  The Middlesex County complex is well-situated just one-half mile off Exit 8 of…
US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says
US Marshals Nab 3rd Suspect From NJ Murder Case In North Carolina, Prosecutor Says A third suspect wanted in a New Jersey murder case was nabbed by US Marshals agents in North Carolina, authorities said. Jose Branch, of Plainfield, was tracked down in Raleigh in connection with the March 1 shooting death of Steve Camino in North Plainfield, Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. He was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and extradited from North Carolina to Somerset County on Tuesday, April 19, Taggart said. Branch was jailed pending a detention hearing. Kenneth Hill, 21 of Plainfield, and Daniel Carrera-Cardona, 22, of Piscataway, wer…
2 Nabbed In Deadly Shooting Of Somerset County Man, Prosecutor Says 2 Nabbed In Deadly Shooting Of Somerset County Man, Prosecutor Says
2 Nabbed In Deadly Shooting Of Somerset County Man, Prosecutor Says Two suspects have been charged in connection with the deadly shooting of a Somerset County man earlier this month, authorities said. Kenneth Hill, of Plainfield, and Daniel Carrera Cardona, of Piscataway, are charged with first-degree murder and other offenses in the homicide of Steve J. Camino, 26, of North Plainfield, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said alongside other county officials. Camino was found wounded as officers responded to the shooting report near Grove Street and Prospect Place in North Plainfield just after 9:35 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, Chir…
Victims Of Deadly Edison Crash Identified Victims Of Deadly Edison Crash Identified
Victims Of Deadly Edison Crash Identified Authorities have released the names of the victims killed in an Edison crash. Ziyad Elsaedi, 21, of North Plainfield, was heading southbound in Route 1 when he struck a tree at Jeff Street around 10:15 p.m., on Feb. 6, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan said. Meyvelin Nunez-Lopez, 19, of Plainfield — who was in the front passenger seat — died. Two other passengers were critically injured, authorities said. A GoFundMe page for her family had raised more than $1,300 as of Feb. 12. The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone…
2 Killed, 2 Critically Hurt When Car Strikes Tree On Route 1 In Edison: Prosecutor 2 Killed, 2 Critically Hurt When Car Strikes Tree On Route 1 In Edison: Prosecutor
2 Killed, 2 Critically Hurt When Car Strikes Tree On Route 1 In Edison: Prosecutor Two people were killed, and two others were critically hurt, when their vehicle struck a tree in Central Jersey, authorities said. On Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 10:17 p.m., Edison police responded to Route 1 at Jeff Street for a crash, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan.  Police found a vehicle with four occupants had struck a tree, they said. The driver of the vehicle, Ziyad Elsaedi, 21, of North Plainfield, and the front passenger of the vehicle, were transported to a nearby hospital along with two other critical…
KNOW ANYTHING? $5K Reward Offered In North Plainfield Shooting Deaths Of Man, 31, Boy, 14 KNOW ANYTHING? $5K Reward Offered In North Plainfield Shooting Deaths Of Man, 31, Boy, 14
Know Anything? $5K Reward Offered In North Plainfield Shooting Deaths Of Man, 31, Boy, 14 The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information regarding a North Plainfield shooting that left two people dead and one man critically injured. Christian Orellana, 31, Steven Jimenez, 14, and a third man, 28, were outside on a first-floor patio at the Malcolm Gardens Apartment Complex on Little Place around 8 p.m. on Aug. 13 when the assailant(s) confronted the victims, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and North Plainf…
Authorities ID Teen, Man Dead In North Plainfield Triple Shooting Authorities ID Teen, Man Dead In North Plainfield Triple Shooting
Authorities ID Teen, Man Dead In North Plainfield Triple Shooting Authorities have identified the teen boy and man killed in a triple North Plainfield shooting last week. Christian Orellana, 31, and Steven Jimenez, 14 -- who live together in Plainfield -- were sitting on a front porch of the Malcolm Gardens Apartment Complex on Little Place with an unidentified 28-year-old man when all three were shot around 8:05 p.m. last Friday, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. The Medical Examiner has classified both deaths as a homicide, while third shooting victim remains in critical condition at an undisclosed trauma center.  Jim…
PA Trio Charged With Attempted Murder In Shooting Of NJ Motorcyclist On I-287 PA Trio Charged With Attempted Murder In Shooting Of NJ Motorcyclist On I-287
PA Trio Charged With Attempted Murder In Shooting Of NJ Motorcyclist On I-287 Three Pennsylvania men were charged in a drive-by shooting on Interstate 287 in New Jersey that injured a motorcyclist over the weekend, authorities said. Matthew Plaza, 32, of Allentown; Luis Velez, 37, of Bethlehem; and Raymond Bethancourt, 35, of Shillington have been arrested on various weapons charges while Plaza is also facing a charge of attempted murder, New Jersey State Police said. Troopers from the Somerville Station responded to Chimney Rock Road in Bridgewater, where the motorcyclist had called 911 saying another driver brandished a gun and shot him on the highway around 6:40 p…
NJ Releases Hate Crime Totals By Town, Race, More: Guess Which County Had The Most NJ Releases Hate Crime Totals By Town, Race, More: Guess Which County Had The Most
NJ Releases Hate Crime Totals By Town, Race, More: Guess Which County Had The Most Nearly 40% of all hate crimes reported in New Jersey last year were against Blacks, more than the combined total against whites, Jews, Latinos and Muslims, according to State Police crime figures released Tuesday. The town with the most reported bias incidents in 2020 was Lakewood, the figures show. More than half of all reported bias incidents in New Jersey last year involved straight harassment, as opposed to vandalism and other related crimes. More than 13% occurred at schools, parks or playgrounds. The county with the most, overall, was Monmouth. The preliminary data released Tuesday…
NJ Dad Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2-Year-Old Daughter At Motel NJ Dad Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2-Year-Old Daughter At Motel
NJ Dad Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2-Year-Old Daughter At Motel A New Jersey dad has been charged with first degree attempted murder after surveillance tapes caught him putting his 2-year-old daughter in a plastic bag and carrying her through a New Jersey motel, authorities said. North Plainfield police responded to a Route 22 motel on reports of a baby inside of a bag around 12:40 p.m. on Jan. 23, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. There, they found a man later identified as Lamar S. Waller -- the girl's dad -- holding his child, Robertson said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W.…
NJ Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Motel Stabbing NJ Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Motel Stabbing
NJ Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Motel Stabbing A 49-year-old North Plainfield man has been charged with attempted murder in an early-morning motel stabbing that left the victim critically injured, authorities said Wednesday. Police responding to a motel around 4:50 a.m. on Jan. 12 found a 55-year-old North Plainfield resident with multiple stab wounds, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Responding officers and medical personnel began life saving measures at the scene and the victim was transported to a nearby trauma hospital for emergency treatment, Robertson said. The suspect was found in a hotel room and ident…
COVID-19: NY Man Wanted In Ramapo, Mahwah Drug Thefts Coughs On Montvale Officers, Police Say COVID-19: NY Man Wanted In Ramapo, Mahwah Drug Thefts Coughs On Montvale Officers, Police Say
Covid-19: NY Man Wanted In Ramapo, Mahwah Drug Thefts Coughs On Montvale Officers, Police Say One of three people wanted for swiping $5,000 worth of allergy medicine from CVS stores in Mahwah and Ramapo claimed he had COVID-19 while repeatedly coughing on the Montvale police officers who captured them, authorities said Wednesday. He also gouged the paint on a police vehicle with his handcuffs, they said. Officer John Guico was at the CVS on Chestnut Ridge Road around 4 p.m. Tuesday when he spotted a vehicle described in an alert issued by Ramapo police shortly after a theft at one of their stores, Montvale Police Chief Joseph Sanfilippo said. Police arrested the trio, identified as…