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Theft by extortion

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Teen Trio Caught Running Fund-Raising Robbery Scam At Jersey City PATH Stations Teen Trio Caught Running Fund-Raising Robbery Scam At Jersey City PATH Stations
Teen Trio Caught Running Fund-Raising Robbery Scam At Jersey City PATH Stations Three teens running a fund-raising robbery scam on strangers at Jersey City PATH stations were captured after one of the victims was injured in a scuffle, authorities said. That man was approached by the trio at the Grove Street station on March 6, Port Authority Public Information Officer Lenis Valens said. “They asked if he was willing to donate to their football team,” she said. When he told them he had no cash, they said he could do it through Venmo or Zelle, so he handed the phone over looking to make a $5 donation, Valens said. The teens, in turn, told him the account was wrong and …

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Can't Let Go: Garfield Stalker With 30-Year Grudge Harasses Franklin Lakes Man, Police Say Can't Let Go: Garfield Stalker With 30-Year Grudge Harasses Franklin Lakes Man, Police Say
Can't Let Go: Garfield Stalker With 30-Year Grudge Harasses Franklin Lakes Man, Police Say A Garfield man with a history of harassment charges was jailed after authorities said he stalked and threatened a man in Franklin Lakes over a perceived slight from 30 or so years ago. Steven Thomas, 57, blamed the victim for hurting someone close to him, Capt. Mark McCombs said. "He dug up the victim's phone number, threatened him and released things from his past," the captain said. "The victim is frightened." Thomas already had a history, including an alleged child-luring incident involving a neighbor's son in 2018, criminal records show. He was also reportedly charged with harassment b…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Man Harassed, Threatened To Leak Estranged Wife's Nudes During Separation: Police Man Harassed, Threatened To Leak Estranged Wife's Nudes During Separation: Police
Man Harassed, Threatened To Leak Estranged Wife's Nudes During Separation: Police A Pennsylvania man was arrested on accusations he harassed his estranged wife and threatened to leak "explicit photos" of her if she didn't pay him during their separation, authorities said. Kevin Wilbur's wife was staying with her parents while the two were going through a separation, Upper Gwynedd Township police said. Beginning in early 2021, the Doylestown man broke into the home, causing his wife and her parents to fear for their safety, authorities said. He was told he was no longer allowed at the property.  Following the attempted break-in, Wilbur began to send h…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Hudson County Roads Inspector Charged With Accepting Construction Site Bribe Hudson County Roads Inspector Charged With Accepting Construction Site Bribe
Hudson County Roads Inspector Charged With Accepting Construction Site Bribe A Bayonne roads inspector was arrested for taking a cash payment to delete violations he issued at a construction project, authorities said. Barry Smith, 52, asked for and accepted undisclosed amount of cash at a construction site on Kennedy Boulevard and 15th Street in Bayonne, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Smith apparently also took a similar payment last December, Suarez said. He was charged with bribery, theft by extortion and official misconduct Thursday. Any other individuals who may be victims of Barry Smith are urged contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
'Son Held Captive': Oakland Detective Finds Caller Who Conned Dad Out Of $5,000 'Son Held Captive': Oakland Detective Finds Caller Who Conned Dad Out Of $5,000
'Son Held Captive': Oakland Detective Finds Caller Who Conned Dad Out Of $5,000 Believing that his son was being held captive at gunpoint, an Oakland man gave $5,000 to a con artist who was arrested by police, authorities said. Borough police Detective Michael Griffin obtained subpoenas, as well as surveillance video from a Walmart in Pennsylvania, to identify Johnny Figueroa Ferreira, 38, of Oak Ridge, Detective Lt. Christian Eldridge said. Ferreira had convinced the victim by phone to send him gift cards and a money order last November by making the bogus claim, Eldridge said. Bergen County sheriff’s officers arrested Ferreira on Oakland’s warrant when he showed up …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Kidnappers Expect To Collect $7,000, Busted By Passaic Police Instead Kidnappers Expect To Collect $7,000, Busted By Passaic Police Instead
Kidnappers Expect To Collect $7,000, Busted By Passaic Police Instead PASSAIC, N.J. -- A Passaic man was abducted by a Bronx pair who threatened to kill him and his wife if they weren’t paid $7,000 – but he went to police instead, leading to their arrests, authorities said. The 28-year-old victim told police that he and his wife were approached Thursday night in the area of Main Avenue and Autumn Street by Randal M. OlivioRondon, 20, and Luis R. Romero, 22. His wife fled, but her husband was shoved into a getaway car at gunpoint, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman said Saturday night. While in the car, the pai…

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by Jerry DeMarco