Tag:

Prospect Park, NJ

Ex-Con Charged By FBI With Igniting Explosive Outside Passaic County ATM Ex-Con Charged By FBI With Igniting Explosive Outside Passaic County ATM
Ex-Con Charged By FBI With Igniting Explosive Outside Passaic County ATM A career criminal from Passaic County who's been busted dozens of times in North Jersey in just the past few years used an explosive device to damage an ATM, federal authorities charged. Nicolas Torres, 41, of Passaic, has amassed a lengthy rap sheet over much of his adult life, mostly involving business break-ins that local police and county prosecutors have dealt with. This time, though, the FBI's got him. Torres was captured on surveillance video igniting the device in front of the Chase Bank ATM on North 6th Street in Prospect Park in the early morning hours of July 5, 2022, U.S. Attor…
Terror Threats Cancel CAIR Banquet Where Prospect Park Mayor Is Slated To Speak Terror Threats Cancel CAIR Banquet Where Prospect Park Mayor Is Slated To Speak
Terror Threats Cancel CAIR Banquet Where Prospect Park Mayor Is Slated To Speak The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has cancelled its annual banquet slated to happen this weekend in Arlington, VA over death and bomb threats that may be connected to the war between Israel and Hamas. Officials from CAIR said managers and staff at the Crystal Gateway Marriott received death threats, and threats to place bombs in the parking garage were also made, ahead of the Saturday, Oct. 21 event. Important community update: over the past 24 hours, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian extremists have made dozens of... Posted by CAIR on Thursday, October 19, 2023 Both this…
UPDATE: Lyft Driver From Morris Found Guilty Of Fondling Underage Prospect Park Passenger UPDATE: Lyft Driver From Morris Found Guilty Of Fondling Underage Prospect Park Passenger
Update: Lyft Driver From Morris Found Guilty Of Fondling Underage Prospect Park Passenger A former U.S. military member from Morris County was convicted of sexually assaulting a Passaic County pre-teen while working as a Lyft driver. Julio Mejia, 43, of Wharton rejected a plea deal after investigators said the underage Prospect Park girl told them he had sex with her after she took a Lyft ride in August 2019 and then again after several weeks of texting. He took his chances with a jury in Superior Court in Paterson and was convicted of sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, enticing and child endangerment. Superior Court Judge Joseph A. Portelli scheduled sentencing for Feb. …
These NJ Schools Have Early Dismissals, Indoor Recess Due To Wildfire Smoke These NJ Schools Have Early Dismissals, Indoor Recess Due To Wildfire Smoke
These NJ Schools Have Early Dismissals, Indoor Recess Due To Wildfire Smoke Some New Jersey schools were dismissing students early or keeping students inside due to smoke conditions Wednesday, June 7. Wayne, Mount Olive, High Point and Prospect Park schools had an early dismissal. Students at the Samuel R. Donald School in Bloomingdale were evacuated and transferred via bus to another school. Clifton canceled outdoor recess and after-school activities. Dover canceled all outdoor activities. In Florham Park, field day was postponed to Thursday, June 15 for one school, while all schools held gym and recess indoors. This is a developing story. Check back …
North Jersey Pols Demand Apology From White House After NJ Mayor Turned Away During Ramadan North Jersey Pols Demand Apology From White House After NJ Mayor Turned Away During Ramadan
North Jersey Pols Demand Apology From White House After NJ Mayor Turned Away During Ramadan A consortium of mayors throughout North Jersey are demanding an apology from the White House to Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah after he was denied entry for a celebration marking the end of Ramadan. Khairullah, who was recently sworn in for his fifth term as mayor, was told by Secret Service Monday, May 1 that he had not been cleared for entry.  Khairullah received the news just hours before he was set to arrive. Khairullah was also recently interrogated for three hours at John F. Kennedy International Airport. "As mayors who value transparency and the U.S. legal sys…
'Islamophobia': NJ Muslim Mayor Barred From White House 'Islamophobia': NJ Muslim Mayor Barred From White House
'Islamophobia': NJ Muslim Mayor Barred From White House Outrage spread through New Jersey's Muslim communities after one town's Muslim mayor was banned from attending an Eid-al-Fitr ceremony this week at the White House. Mohahmed Khairullah, who was recently sworn in for his fifth term as Prospect Park's mayor was told by Secret Service Monday, May 1 that he had not been cleared for entry. Khairullah received the news just hours before he was set to arrive. He said the move "reeks of Islamophobia." The Council on American-Islamic Relations New Jersey's chapter called it "unacceptable and insulting," and demanded an apology from the White H…
New Year's Fire Consumes Multi-Family Paterson Building New Year's Fire Consumes Multi-Family Paterson Building
New Year's Fire Consumes Multi-Family Paterson Building A vicious New Year's fire blew through the roof of a Paterson apartment building. A firefighter was brought to St. Joseph's University Medical Center with a minor injury sustained in Sunday's 10 a.m. blaze on Harrison Street. The damage was nonetheless extensive, displacing dozens of residents -- while forcing others out temporarily -- in a tightly packed cluster of homes between Rosa Parks Boulevard and Carroll Street. 🚨 BREAKING VIDEO: LARGE FIRE IN PATERSON, NEW JERSEY pic.twitter.com/cPLVj36OvO — Breaking News Video (@BreakingVideoHQ) January 1, 2023 A second alarm was called on a…
Man Killed, Woman Critical In Shooting At Border Of Paterson, Prospect Park Man Killed, Woman Critical In Shooting At Border Of Paterson, Prospect Park
Man Killed, Woman Critical In Shooting At Border Of Paterson, Prospect Park A 45-year-old man was killed and a 28-year-old woman critically wounded in an overnight shooting at the border of Paterson and Prospect Park, authorities confirmed. Police responding to the shooting found both victims on the Paterson side of Belle Avenue off Hopper Street shortly before 2 a.m., Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Acting Paterson Police Chief Bert Ribeiro said in a joint announcement. Both were taken to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, where the man was pronounced dead, they said. Detectives from Valdes’s office and Ribeiro’s department were jointly inves…
Fire Destroys One North Jersey Home, Ravages Another Fire Destroys One North Jersey Home, Ravages Another
Fire Destroys One North Jersey Home, Ravages Another Firefighters from surrounding towns rushed to aid their colleagues in Prospect Park after a noontime house fire spread to a neighboring home. Initial reports of an occupant possibly trapped thankfully proved unfounded after the fire broke out on the second floor of the primary North 11 Street home, off Fairview Avenue, around 11:30 a.m. Council President Anand Shah called for prayers for those who lost their homes and belongings in the destructive blaze, which topped out at five alarms for coverage. Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah praised the first responders who braved not only the fire itse…
NJ Man Threatens To Kill Police Captain With Traffic Stop Ambush: Authorities NJ Man Threatens To Kill Police Captain With Traffic Stop Ambush: Authorities
NJ Man Threatens To Kill Police Captain With Traffic Stop Ambush: Authorities A Passaic County man was charged with threatening to lure a local police captain into a traffic stop so he could shoot him and chop his head off, authorities said. Jante Bagh, 41, called the Prospect Park Police Department on Tuesday and said he would lure the captain into a stop, “pop one in his head” and then cut it off, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. Bagh, who lives in Prospect Park, was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats and harassment. He remained held Thursday in the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Cour…
Handcuffed Fugitive Who Jumped Into NJ River Was Wanted Out Of PA Handcuffed Fugitive Who Jumped Into NJ River Was Wanted Out Of PA
Handcuffed Fugitive Who Jumped Into NJ River Was Wanted Out Of PA A suspect who nearly drowned after jumping into the Passaic River while handcuffed was wanted in both Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, authorities said. Juan Castano, 29, of New York was a passenger in a car driven by a Paterson resident that Hawthorne police stopped in response to a call late Tuesday afternoon of two suspicious-looking men peering over the barbed wire fence of the Citywide Towing impound lot in Hawthorne. “People have previously jumped their fence and stolen vehicles that had been impounded due to being stolen,” Hawthorne Detective Lt. Matthew Hoogmoed said Thursday. Borou…
Judge Refuses To Release Newark Defendant Charged With Shooting Jersey Shore Man In Paterson Judge Refuses To Release Newark Defendant Charged With Shooting Jersey Shore Man In Paterson
Judge Refuses To Release Newark Defendant Charged With Shooting Jersey Shore Man In Paterson A state judge refused to release a defendant from Newark who was captured in New York City and charged with shooting a Jersey Shore man following a robbery in Paterson. The 27-year-old Sea Bright victim was shot near the corner of Putnam Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard on Jan. 8, 2021. He sought treatment at Riverside Medical Center in Red Bank without telling city police, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora said in a joint release. Red Bank police who were alerted to the shooting immediately notified their Paterson colleagues, they said.&n…
No Bail Reform In This Court: NJ Judge Orders Accused Shooter Held No Bail Reform In This Court: NJ Judge Orders Accused Shooter Held
No Bail Reform In This Court: NJ Judge Orders Accused Shooter Held A state court judge in Paterson has refused to release a Midland Park man charged in a Prospect Park shooting. That defendant, Rahjshone Newkirk, 23, and borough resident Tylaire Clark, 22, had been sought by police after two people reported being shot at on Hopper Street around 6 p.m. Feb. 2, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Prospect Park Police Chief Ammen Matari said in a joint release. Their vehicle was struck, but the victims’ weren’t wounded, they said. Borough police nabbed Newkirk on North 8th Street last Thursday, May 12.  Despite a state bail reform law that …
12th Gun Seized In Paterson Since April Follows Foot Pursuit 12th Gun Seized In Paterson Since April Follows Foot Pursuit
12th Gun Seized In Paterson Since April Follows Foot Pursuit A Paterson man hanging out in a large group partying on a local street corner was caught with a loaded handgun after he tried to run from detectives, authorities said. Joseph Shoulars, 22, bolted as Detectives John Rikowich, Levis Qirjako, Muhammed Dombayci and Yamil Pimienta approached the noisy crowd, which was drinking and blocking the road with double-parked vehicles at Belle Avenue and Hopper Street, city Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said. "The intersection has recently been the subject of numerous complaints by both Paterson and Prospect Park residents due to large groups con…
Trio Nabbed In Passaic Home Invasion Shooting: Prosecutor Trio Nabbed In Passaic Home Invasion Shooting: Prosecutor
Trio Nabbed In Passaic Home Invasion Shooting: Prosecutor Three people have been arrested in connection with a home invasion shooting that injured a 28-year-old Passaic man earlier this month, authorities said. Farad Anthony and Sahad Burgos, both 31 of Passaic, assaulted the victim and fired a handgun in his direction during the incident at home on Market and Morris streets just before 8 a.m. May 4, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. The victim was not struck and was taken to St. Joseph's University Medical Center in a private vehicle for treatment of non life-threatening injuries, Valdes said alongside local police. Car…
HEROES: Paterson's Bravest Rescue Resident In Three-Building Blaze HEROES: Paterson's Bravest Rescue Resident In Three-Building Blaze
Heroes: Paterson's Bravest Rescue Resident In Three-Building Blaze UPDATE: A vicious blaze was engulfing one two-family home and significantly damaging two other residences -- displacing 26 tenants in all -- when Paterson firefighters rescued a resident in a wheelchair. PHOTO GALLERY: BTFirePhotos The four-alarm Warren Street fire broke out in one of the tightly bunched buildings up the street from Public School No. 10 shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday. It spread quickly. The city's bravest immediately got the trapped resident out before retreating to battle the blaze from the exterior. The main body of the fire was knocked down by 9:45 a.m., a little under …
NJ Girl, 13, Kidnapped, Raped By Long Island Man, 24, She Met Online, Authorities Say NJ Girl, 13, Kidnapped, Raped By Long Island Man, 24, She Met Online, Authorities Say
NJ Girl, 13, Kidnapped, Raped By Long Island Man, 24, She Met Online, Authorities Say A 13-year-old Paterson girl was picked up by a 24-year-old Long Island man she met online and taken to a remote area where he sexually assaulted her, authorities said. Floiran Langumas-Montero of Farmingdale traveled to New Jersey around midnight Oct. 29 for "the purpose of picking up and taking” the girl to an unidentified location in Prospect Park, where he “engaged in sexual intercourse” with her, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Prospect Park Police Chief Ammen Matari said in a joint release Friday. Langumas-Montero had “met and communicated with [her] online for several …
Traffic Stop Turns Up Loaded Gun, 200 Heroin Folds, Crack, $1,547 Cash, Haledon Police Say Traffic Stop Turns Up Loaded Gun, 200 Heroin Folds, Crack, $1,547 Cash, Haledon Police Say
Traffic Stop Turns Up Loaded Gun, 200 Heroin Folds, Crack, $1,547 Cash, Haledon Police Say A Haledon police officer found a 19-year-old Paterson man carrying a loaded gun, 200 heroin folds, a half-ounce of crack and $1,547 in proceeds during a traffic stop, authorities said. Officer Jeffrey Welsh stopped the Dodge Dart with Michigan license plates on Aberdeen Court after the driver failed to signal a turn shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, Capt. George Guzman said. The driver – who turned out to be unlicensed -- also wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, he said. Welsh approached from the passenger side and spotted a brick of heroin jutting out of the front-seat passenger’s jacket pocket, the …
NJ Family Of 5 Loses Everything In Fierce Fire NJ Family Of 5 Loses Everything In Fierce Fire
NJ Family Of 5 Loses Everything In Fierce Fire UPDATE: Two cats were killed and another was missing in a destructive fire that ravaged a Hawthorne home, authorities said. A family of five -- including three children -- got out OK after the fire erupted on Victor Place around 7 p.m. Sunday, they said. They were evaluated on-scene by EMS. At the scene of the Victor Place fire in Hawthorne.DAILY VOICE The blaze immediately went to a second alarm before heavy flames and problems with water pressure boosted it to three, Hawthorne Fire Chief Jerry Speranza said. The roof was opened and the fire was eventually placed under control after…
Firefighters Battle North Jersey Blaze Firefighters Battle North Jersey Blaze
Firefighters Battle North Jersey Blaze UPDATE: Two cats were killed and another was missing in a destructive fire that ravaged a Hawthorne home, authorities said. A family of five -- including three children -- got out OK after the fire erupted on Victor Place around 7 p.m. Sunday, they said. They were evaluated on-scene by EMS. 76 Victor Place, HawthorneTom Tomesco The blaze immediately went to a second alarm before water problems and heavy flames boosted it to three, Hawthorne Fire Chief Jerry Speranza said. The roof was opened and the fire was eventually placed under control after about 90 minutes. Firefighters conti…
Paterson Trio Busted With Loaded Gun Following Prospect Park Police Pursuit Paterson Trio Busted With Loaded Gun Following Prospect Park Police Pursuit
Paterson Trio Busted With Loaded Gun Following Prospect Park Police Pursuit A Prospect Park police pursuit ended with the arrests of three Paterson residents caught with a loaded gun reported stolen out of Virginia, authorities said. Officer Yeisy Reyes tried pulling over their 2010 Honda Accord after it blew a stop sign on Hopper Street at Brown Avenue shortly after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Detective Capt. Walter Richmond said. Reyes pursued the sedan for several blocks before the driver, identified as Zavia Gainey, 23, pulled over at Fairview Avenue, Richmond said. Reyes and Sgt. Brian Koppenal found a .45-caliber Remington 1911 in the car, the captain said. They arr…
Right-Wing Anti-Vax, Anti-Mask Radio Show Host From NJ Dies Of COVID Right-Wing Anti-Vax, Anti-Mask Radio Show Host From NJ Dies Of COVID
Right-Wing Anti-Vax, Anti-Mask Radio Show Host From NJ Dies Of COVID Passaic County native Bob Enyart, a self-proclaimed homophobic anti-abortion pastor and national talk radio host who railed against COVID-19 vaccines and masks, has died of the virus. Enyart, 62, who lived in Prospect Park, attended St. Anthony grade school in Hawthorne and was graduated from Manchester Regional High School, was a polarizing figure over more than two decades on the air from his adopted Colorado. Enyart's radio co-host, Fred Williams, called the Denver Bible Church pastor "one of the smartest and without question the wisest person I’ve known," a man who he said was "exceedin…
Habitual Offender From Lodi Charged With Pre-Dawn Break-In At Prospect Park Takeout Joint Habitual Offender From Lodi Charged With Pre-Dawn Break-In At Prospect Park Takeout Joint
Habitual Offender From Lodi Charged With Pre-Dawn Break-In At Prospect Park Takeout Joint A Lodi career criminal with a rap sheet more than 15 years long was arrested after burglarizing a Prospect Park takeout restaurant before dawn Saturday, authorities said. Ryan Patrick Morgan, 34, has been arrested dozens of times in North Jersey since his 18th birthday, records show. Over that time, the tattooed ex-con has been busted in no fewer than seven towns on charges that include robbery, resisting arrest and aggravated assault on a police officer, as well as a string of drug court and probation violations. During a two-week span in 2017, Garfield police said, Morgan swiped a purse …
Passaic Driver Who Fled Serious Pedestrian Hit-Run Crash Gets Probation Passaic Driver Who Fled Serious Pedestrian Hit-Run Crash Gets Probation
Passaic Driver Who Fled Serious Pedestrian Hit-Run Crash Gets Probation UPDATE: A 27-year-old Passaic driver who admitted that he severely injured another city resident in a hit-and-run pedestrian crash last fall was sentenced Friday in Paterson to probation. Matthew Cancel didn’t wait for a grand jury to determine whether the case should proceed when he pleaded guilty to knowingly leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury on April 16, just 10 days after he was arrested. Cancel admitted that he was behind the wheel of a 2015 Mercedes-Benz that struck the 64-year-old victim at Market and Hudson streets last Oct. 25, Passaic County Prosecutor C…
Fire Ravages Woodland Park Mulch Plant Fire Ravages Woodland Park Mulch Plant
Fire Ravages Woodland Park Mulch Plant UPDATE: Firefighters doused a blaze Friday night that severely damaged a Woodland Park plant that produces compost and dyed mulches. The fire at Environmental Renewal behind the Route 46 Best Buy broke out in back of the complex shortly before 10:30 p.m.  It was fully involved in minutes, responders said. Explosions were heard inside the Andrews Drive building -- where propane and oxygen tanks were stored -- as well as among transformers outside. ****** PHOTO GALLERY: BT Fire Photos ****** Mutual aid at the Andrews Drive scene or in coverage included firefighters from Bloomingdale, C…
23 Displaced, Two Hospitalized In Paterson Multi-Family House Fire 23 Displaced, Two Hospitalized In Paterson Multi-Family House Fire
23 Displaced, Two Hospitalized In Paterson Multi-Family House Fire Nearly two dozen people were displaced by Paterson’s second fire of the day, officials said. Both a firefighter apparently suffering from heat exhaustion and a civilian who'd inhaled smoke were taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center for treatment Sunday night, Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said A citizen rang the doorbell of Paterson’s Northside Firehouse on Temple Street shortly after 5 p.m. to report a fire in a multi-family house up the block, Speziale said. The two-alarm blaze quickly went to three bells after firefighters found heavy flames in the basement and rear of …
Driver Admits Months-Old Passaic Pedestrian Hit-Run Driver Admits Months-Old Passaic Pedestrian Hit-Run
Driver Admits Months-Old Passaic Pedestrian Hit-Run Wasting little time, a 27-year-old Passaic driver admitted severely injuring another city resident in a hit-and-run pedestrian crash last fall. Matthew Cancel didn’t wait for a grand jury to determine whether the case should proceed, pleading guilty Friday to knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving serious bodily injury. Cancel admitted he was behind the wheel of a 2015 Mercedes-Benz that struck the 64-year-old victim at Market and Hudson streets last Oct. 25, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. The victim was treated at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical…
Police: Ex-Con Wanted In Wayne Burglary String Leads 'Tireless' Chase Before Capture Police: Ex-Con Wanted In Wayne Burglary String Leads 'Tireless' Chase Before Capture
Police: Ex-Con Wanted In Wayne Burglary String Leads 'Tireless' Chase Before Capture An ex-con who’s spent several years in prison led Wayne police first on a car chase – at one point blowing out a tire and riding on a rim – and then through several backyards before they captured him in Haledon. Officers Michael Sweeney and Spencer Schoonmaker were on the lookout near the corner of Ratzer and Valley roads after Detective Michael Polifrone identified William Green, 49 of Paterson as the suspect in a string of recent home burglaries, Capt. Daniel Daly said. Green, who has an extensive criminal history, was released from state prison a year ago this month after serving three y…
Former Rideshare Driver From Morris Indicted For Fondling Underage Passenger In Passaic County Former Rideshare Driver From Morris Indicted For Fondling Underage Passenger In Passaic County
Former Rideshare Driver From Morris Indicted For Fondling Underage Passenger In Passaic County A former U.S. military member from Morris County who was charged over a year ago with sexually assaulting an underage passenger in Passaic County while working part time as a ride-share driver remains free pending the outcome of his case. Authorities announced Thursday that a grand jury in Paterson had returned an indictment charging Julio Mejia, 41, of Wharton with several counts of sexual assaulting a minor passenger in his vehicle in Prospect Park sometime between Aug. 30 and Sept. 21, 2019. “At the time of his arrest [January 2020], Mr. Mejia was an active member of the armed services,”…
Bergen Sports Memorabilia Store Employee Charged With Stealing, Fencing Collectibles Bergen Sports Memorabilia Store Employee Charged With Stealing, Fencing Collectibles
Bergen Sports Memorabilia Store Employee Charged With Stealing, Fencing Collectibles A now-former employee at a Bergen County collectibles and sports memorabilia store was busted after he stole and sold merchandise, authorities said. The owner of the Wyckoff shop called police after he reviewed security video and “determined that an employee was most likely responsible,” Lt. Joseph Soto said. Detective Sgts. Mark Tagliareni and Michael Ragucci tracked some of the items to a Moonachie business that bought them from Thomas Bowers, 33, of Prospect Park, Soto said. They also recovered other items stolen from the Wyckoff shop at another business in Randolph, the lieutenant said…
22 Cats Rescued In Hawthorne Fire 22 Cats Rescued In Hawthorne Fire
22 Cats Rescued In Hawthorne Fire VIDEO: Firefighters rescued 22 cats in a Hawthorne house blaze on Wednesday. The two-alarm fire broke out on the top floor of the three-family home on Westervelt Avenue shortly after 12:30 p.m., officials said. A deck gun helped knocked down the fire, which was placed under control about an hour after it began then spent another two hours dousing hot spots. No major injuries were reported aside from cat bites sustained by two firefighters and a borough police officer. The cause wasn't immediately determined. An investigation was continuing. Mutual aid responders included firefighters fr…