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Passaic County, NJ

Stew Leonard's Announces Opening Of New Food & Wine Store In North Jersey Stew Leonard's Announces Opening Of New Food & Wine Store In North Jersey
Stew Leonard's Announces Opening Of New Food & Wine Store In North Jersey Stew Leonard's has announced the opening date for its food and wine store in Passaic County. The Stew Leonard's Farm Fresh Food and Wine store will be opening on Friday, May 17 in Clifton's Styertowne Shopping Center at 467 Allwood Road.  The 56,000 square foot grocery and wine store is the second of its kind in New Jersey and will feature more than a dozen local vendors from dozens of Garden State farms. The new store will move from its current location at The Promenade Shops at Clifton. The store will feature animatronic shows and a 14-foot tall lighthouse. "This is the most fun my…
HORRIFIC: NJ Retiree, 73, Collected Sexual Images Of Children As Young As 4: Sheriff HORRIFIC: NJ Retiree, 73, Collected Sexual Images Of Children As Young As 4: Sheriff
Horrific: NJ Retiree, 73, Collected Sexual Images Of Children As Young As 4: Sheriff A 73-year-old retiree was caught with more than 1,500 images of naked children as young as four years old engaged in sex -- and investigators suspect there may be more, Acting Passaic County Sheriff Gary Giardina said. Working from a tip, members of Giardina's Internet Crime Against Children Task Force discovered that Edward W. Herbst Jr. of Bloomingdale had uploaded sexual images of youngsters between four and six years old and was looking for more, the sheriff said. They arrested him on Thursday, April 18, while seizing various electronic devices from his home, Giardina said. A…
NJ Jail Officer Admits Bringing Inmate To 'Blind Spot' For Beating By Colleagues NJ Jail Officer Admits Bringing Inmate To 'Blind Spot' For Beating By Colleagues
NJ Jail Officer Admits Bringing Inmate To 'Blind Spot' For Beating By Colleagues 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A Passaic County correctional officer admitted that he brought an inmate to a "blind spot" at the county jail so two colleagues could beat him for squirting one of them with urine. Officer Lorenzo Bowden, 39, initially agreed with Sgt. Jose Gonzalez and Sgt. Donald Vinales not to talk after they'd received federal grand jury subpoenas two years ago this month, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Bowden eventually had a change of heart. The pretrial detainee was "transported through an area of the PCJ that does not have a video surveillance camera, which correctional officers …
SEEN HER? Concerns Grow Following Bogus Call That Missing NJ Woman Had Died SEEN HER? Concerns Grow Following Bogus Call That Missing NJ Woman Had Died
Seen HER? Concerns Grow Following Bogus Call That Missing NJ Woman Had Died 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚: A caller's claim that a missing single mom had died hasn't been confirmed, said authorities in Englewood who've stepped up their search for her. Concerns initially were raised when Cynthia Anderson, 33, who'd recently been homeless, stopped communicating with friends, police said. They became extremely worried when none of them could find her, Lt. Fred Pulice said. "No one's been in touch with her for a while," the lieutenant said on Wednesday, April 17, nine days after Anderson was last heard from. "There's genuine concern." One of the friends got a call from a masked number tha…
JCP&L Will Trim Trees Along 3,400 Miles Of Power Lines To Reduce Outages JCP&L Will Trim Trees Along 3,400 Miles Of Power Lines To Reduce Outages
JCP&L Will Trim Trees Along 3,400 Miles Of Power Lines To Reduce Outages Jersey Central Power & Light is planning to trim trees to protect more than 3,400 miles of power lines across the Garden State, officials said. JCP&L will clear trees as part of a $32.5 million plan to prevent power outages during severe weather, the company said in a news release on Wednesday, Apr. 10. It's the first part of an annual $1.5 million increase in tree-trimming costs as part of a settlement with the state Board of Public Utilities. JCP&L also said it will spend $2.5 million more in each of the next five years to expand trimming zones along 18 high-priority circ…
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…
WINNERS! Two North Jersey Powerball Players Score Big Bucks WINNERS! Two North Jersey Powerball Players Score Big Bucks
Winners! Two North Jersey Powerball Players Score Big Bucks It was a winning Wednesday for two North Jersey Powerball players. Tickets sold in Somerset County and Passaic County matched four numbers plus the red Powerball in the drawing held on Wednesday, March 27, winning $50,000. The tickets were sold at a ShopRite in Bernardsville and Union Food Store in Totowa. The winning numbers were 37, 46, 57, 60, 66 and the red Powerball was 8.
NJ Tri-County Takedown Nets 12,100 Heroin Folds, 9½ Ounces Of Crack, $107,089 Cash, Loaded Gun NJ Tri-County Takedown Nets 12,100 Heroin Folds, 9½ Ounces Of Crack, $107,089 Cash, Loaded Gun
NJ Tri-County Takedown Nets 12,100 Heroin Folds, 9½ Ounces Of Crack, $107,089 Cash, Loaded Gun A law enforcement supergroup seized 12,100 folds of heroin mixed with fentanyl, 9½ ounces of crack, $107,089 in suspected drug money and a loaded gun while busting a drug-dealing North Haledon couple, authorities said. Armed with search warrants, investigators hit 10 locations in Passaic, Bergen, and Sussex counties, leading to the arrests of Demoy Woolley and Qa’Lasia Williams. The couple became the focus of an investigation by Wayne police last November, said Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wayne Police Department Chief Jack McNiff. Participating in the investigation…
Second Young Teen In Days Shot In Paterson Second Young Teen In Days Shot In Paterson
Second Young Teen In Days Shot In Paterson A 15-year-old boy was shot in Paterson’s Northside neighborhood, authorities confirmed. The victim arrived at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center via private vehicle with a non-fatal gunshot wound shortly after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Isa Abbassi said in a joint announcement. He'd been shot near a ballfield and playground at the corner of North 8th and Oxford streets, they said. Valdes and Abbassi didn’t describe the circumstances. They also didn't say whether any suspects had been seized o…
Trio Of Winners! Three North Jersey Powerball Players Score $50K Trio Of Winners! Three North Jersey Powerball Players Score $50K
Trio Of Winners! Three North Jersey Powerball Players Score $50K Three North Jersey Powerball players kicked off their week with a bang. The trio, two in Bergen County and one in Passaic County, matched four numbers plus the red Powerball in the drawing held on Monday, March 25, winning $50,000. The tickets were sold at Leprechaun News in Rutherford, ShopRite in Elmwood Park and Stop and Shop in Ringwood.  The winning numbers were 7, 11, 19, 53, 68 and the red Powerball was 23.
Paterson Officers Charged With Covering For NYPD Captain Indicted For Brutally Beating Woman Paterson Officers Charged With Covering For NYPD Captain Indicted For Brutally Beating Woman
Paterson Officers Charged With Covering For Nypd Captain Indicted For Brutally Beating Woman UPDATE: The other shoe finally dropped with the arrests of three Paterson police officers in connection with what authorities said was the kidnapping and brutal beating of an off-duty female NYPD commander from New Jersey by a fellow captain she'd been dating. Giuseppe Ciarla, Juan Cruz-Fernandez and Jason Schmid let then-NYPD Capt. Hariton Marachilian leave after finding the victim with clearly visible injuries from a vicious beating outside a Paterson restaurant in December 2022, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. Marachilian and the female captain had been out to dinner wi…
Newly Minted Millionaire! Ticket Sold In NJ Scores $1 Million Newly Minted Millionaire! Ticket Sold In NJ Scores $1 Million
Newly Minted Millionaire! Ticket Sold In NJ Scores $1 Million A New Jersey lottery ticket hit the jackpot in the drawing held on Saturday, March 16. A ticket sold online via the Jackpocket app matched five of the five white balls, winning $1 million. Jackpocket is based in Hewitt in Passaic County. The winning numbers were 12, 23, 44, 57 and 61. The Red Power Ball number was 05. 
Tip Leads To Arrest Of Paterson Man On Child Porn Charges Tip Leads To Arrest Of Paterson Man On Child Porn Charges
Tip Leads To Arrest Of Paterson Man On Child Porn Charges Passaic County sheriff's detectives arrested a 34-year-old Paterson man who they said shared child pornography videos. Jorge Taboada-Rojano "confirmed he had come across child sexual abuse material over the Internet" when Internet Crime Against Children Task Force members came to his home on Thursday, March 14, Acting Passaic County Sheriff Gary Giardina said. The investigators had begun looking into Taboada-Rojano after receiving a tip that he was messaging the videos online, the acting sheriff said. They took him into custody and seized his cell phone, Giardina said. Tabo…
NJ Lottery Player Wins $50K In Powerball NJ Lottery Player Wins $50K In Powerball
NJ Lottery Player Wins $50K In Powerball It was a Wednesday to remember for a Powerball player in New Jersey. A ticket sold online in the Garden State matched four out of five numbers plus the red Powerball in the drawing held on Wednesday, March 13, winning $50,000. The ticket was sold via the Jackpocket app, which is based in Hewitt in Passaic County. The winning numbers were 21, 29, 54, 59, 62 and the red Powerball was 4.
FEDS: Hawthorne Dad Takes Plea Deal, Admits Trafficking Child Porn FEDS: Hawthorne Dad Takes Plea Deal, Admits Trafficking Child Porn
Feds: Hawthorne Dad Takes Plea Deal, Admits Trafficking Child Porn 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A 50-year-old father from Hawthorne admitted that he trafficked child porn, federal authorities said. Edward M. O’Hagan “used one of his email accounts to send video files containing images of child sexual abuse to himself,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. O'Hagan, Sellinger said, "also used two email addresses to create accounts on an encrypted file storage platform that was used to upload or create files containing images of child sexual abuse." Investigators who arrested O'Hagan last May "recovered hundreds of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse" on his electr…
NJ Man Once Busted For Anatomically Correct Child Sex Doll Nabbed For Child Porn: Sheriff NJ Man Once Busted For Anatomically Correct Child Sex Doll Nabbed For Child Porn: Sheriff
NJ Man Once Busted For Anatomically Correct Child Sex Doll Nabbed For Child Porn: Sheriff A Clifton resident who was once busted with what authorities said was an anatomically correct child sex doll was caught collecting porn videos featuring victims from four to 12 years old, authorities charged. Miguel A. Guevara, 32, who works as a supervisor for a package delivery company in Secaucus, has been on lifetime parole the past four years, Acting Passaic County Sheriff Gary Giardina said. He showed up again on investigators' radar about five months ago, Giardina said. That's when members of the sheriff's Internet Crime Against Children Task Force "found [that] sever…
Bob Dylan Biopic Starring Timothee Chalamet Shooting In These NJ Counties Bob Dylan Biopic Starring Timothee Chalamet Shooting In These NJ Counties
Bob Dylan Biopic Starring Timothee Chalamet Shooting In These NJ Counties In New Jersey, the times are about to be a changin'. "A Complete Unknown,", a biopic about Bob Dylan starring Timothee Chalamet will be shooting in the Garden State.  The movie is set to film in Hudson, Essex, Passaic and Cape May counties from the end of March through May, Steven Gorelick, the director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission said. The film is directed by James Mangold, who previously directed the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line."  "A Complete Unknown" has been gestating for years and Dylan is an executive producer on the film, Mangold …
Stock Clerk Charged With Sexually Assaulting Underage Teen In Elmwood Park Stock Clerk Charged With Sexually Assaulting Underage Teen In Elmwood Park
Stock Clerk Charged With Sexually Assaulting Underage Teen In Elmwood Park A stock clerk already awaiting trial on an aggravated assault charge out of Passaic County was arrested by detectives who said he sexually assaulted an underage juvenile multiple times in Elmwood Park. Jaden Vargas, 21, of Paterson allegedly victimized someone who Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said was between 13 and 16 years old at the time. Musella didn't specify a time period and said only that the alleged incidents occurred "in the past." Vargas was arrested in Elmwood Park last Friday, March 1, following a two-week investigation and has remained held in the Bergen Co…
Lotto Ticket Sold In Online In NJ Wins $10K Lotto Ticket Sold In Online In NJ Wins $10K
Lotto Ticket Sold In Online In NJ Wins $10K Someone in New Jersey kicked off their March with a bang. A ticket sold online in the Garden State via the Jackpocket app matched four numbers plus the gold Megaball in the Mega Millions drawing held on Friday, March 1, winning $10,000. The Jackpocket app is based in Hewitt in Passaic County. The winning numbers were 15, 33, 37, 55, 61 and the gold Megaball was 24.
HOME INVASION: Female 'Guest' Let Armed Pals In, NJ Authorities Charge HOME INVASION: Female 'Guest' Let Armed Pals In, NJ Authorities Charge
Home Invasion: Female 'Guest' Let Armed Pals In, NJ Authorities Charge 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A Saddle Brook home invasion in which a group of thugs from Passaic County took $12,500 in cash, $3,000 worth of jewelry and more at gunpoint was made possible by a female "guest," federal authorities revealed.  Lanasia "Lay" Smith, 24 (top left above), sent ex-con Jancarlos "M" Rodriguez, 23 (bottom right), "a picture of a safe located in the residence" hours before the June 28, 2022 robbery, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Smith then left the front door unlocked for Rodriguez and two cohorts -- fellow ex-con Jahad "Hadie" Foxworth, 25, and Jamere "Rebels" Dixon, 23 --…
Halal Grocery Store Sets Wayne Opening Halal Grocery Store Sets Wayne Opening
Halal Grocery Store Sets Wayne Opening The countdown is on in Passaic County. Anatolia Market, a new halal supermarket, is set to open in Wayne at 29 Route 23 on Sunday, March 10, store officials tell Daily Voice. The supermarket plans to carry brands like Nutella, Ocean Spray, Nestle, Kraft and Poland Spring, according to its website.  Halal is Arabic for food that is allowed under Islamic law. Food must be processed, made, produced, manufactured and/or stored using utensils, equipment and/or machinery that have been cleansed according to Islamic law, according to the Islamic Council of Victoria. Non-halal items include …
'WTF Man?:' West Milford Councilman Touched Sleeping Man's Genitals, Affidavit Says 'WTF Man?:' West Milford Councilman Touched Sleeping Man's Genitals, Affidavit Says
'WTF Man?:' West Milford Councilman Touched Sleeping Man's Genitals, Affidavit Says More details have come to light in the arrest of a West Milford councilman. An affidavit for probable cause says Matthew P. Conlon touched the penis of a 20-year-old man after he fell asleep on the sofa the morning after staying the night at a friend's home. The alleged victim told members of the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office he was sitting on a sofa next to Conlon early Sunday, Feb. 4 when he felt Conlon touch his thigh at least twice, police papers show. The alleged victim pushed Conlon's hand off and told him to stop, indicating that he made it clear the gesture was unwelcome. That…
JAW-DROPPER: Accused Killer Of Paterson Woman Found Bludgeoned, Shot Could Be Freed In 3 Years JAW-DROPPER: Accused Killer Of Paterson Woman Found Bludgeoned, Shot Could Be Freed In 3 Years
Jaw-dropper: Accused Killer Of Paterson Woman Found Bludgeoned, Shot Could Be Freed In 3 Years The accused killer of a woman whose body was found battered, bloodied and stuffed into a car parked on a Paterson street cut a plea deal that staggered the victim's loved ones. Now they want the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office investigated. Someone "should shed light on the lack of accountability the prosecutor's office takes for letting killers walk free in our community," said Sandra Williams. Williams was the one who'd called police and later found the body of her friend, 38-year-old single mom Stephanie DeJesus of Paterson, in the victims's Lincoln MKZ at the intersection of James S…
West Milford Councilman Charged With Inappropriately Touching Victim At Local Home: Prosecutor West Milford Councilman Charged With Inappropriately Touching Victim At Local Home: Prosecutor
West Milford Councilman Charged With Inappropriately Touching Victim At Local Home: Prosecutor A West Milford councilman is facing charges after authorities said he sexually assaulted an adult. Matthew P. Conlon "touched the intimate part of an adult victim in an unwelcome and inappropriate manner" at a house in the township on Sunday, Feb. 4, a release from Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes' office said on Thursday, Feb. 15. He has been charged via complaint summons with Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Contact and Harassment, a Petty Disorderly Persons Offense, following an investigation conducted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the We…
Frozen Hydrants Challenge Firefighters In Wanaque Basement Blaze Ignited By Lithium Battery Frozen Hydrants Challenge Firefighters In Wanaque Basement Blaze Ignited By Lithium Battery
Frozen Hydrants Challenge Firefighters In Wanaque Basement Blaze Ignited By Lithium Battery A Wanaque homeowner required EMS attention for smoke inhalation after a lithium battery ignited a fierce basement fire, authorities said. The basement on Ramapo Mountain Drive was fully involved when firefighters arrived shortly before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, they said. Frozen hydrants left the first two engines just about tapped, with the blaze extending to the first floor, when mutual aid came through, responders said. That included firefighters from Pompton Lakes, Ringwood and Bloomingdale. A Passaic County hazardous materials unit also was requested.
Bogus Call Of Gunman Holding Victims Leads Police To Pair Of Fugitives At Secaucus Hotel Bogus Call Of Gunman Holding Victims Leads Police To Pair Of Fugitives At Secaucus Hotel
Bogus Call Of Gunman Holding Victims Leads Police To Pair Of Fugitives At Secaucus Hotel What turned out to be a bogus call of a man barricaded in a Secaucus hotel led police to two Passaic County repeat offenders who were both wanted on warrants, authorities said. Officers who responded to the Extended Stay America on Meadowland Parkway didn’t find a man with a gun who was not allowing others in a hotel room to leave, as the caller had claimed, Police Chief Dennis Miller said. What they did find were outstanding warrants for Zaire Jacobs, a 26-year-old ex-con with multiple probation violations out of Paterson, and Miguel Pacheco, 41, of Hawthorne, who was wanted in DeKalb…
UPDATE: Lyft Driver Gets 7 Years For Fondling Pre-Teen Prospect Park Passenger Separate Times UPDATE: Lyft Driver Gets 7 Years For Fondling Pre-Teen Prospect Park Passenger Separate Times
Update: Lyft Driver Gets 7 Years For Fondling Pre-Teen Prospect Park Passenger Separate Times A former U.S. military member from Morris County who was convicted of sexually assaulting a Passaic County pre-teen while working as a Lyft driver was sentenced to seven years in state prison. Julio Mejia, 43, of Wharton also must register as a sex offender and remain under lifetime parole supervision, under the sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Joseph A. Portelli in Paterson. Mejia 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…
Attendant Beaten, Gas Stations Robbed Minutes Apart In Bergen, Passaic Counties Attendant Beaten, Gas Stations Robbed Minutes Apart In Bergen, Passaic Counties
Attendant Beaten, Gas Stations Robbed Minutes Apart In Bergen, Passaic Counties A lone gunman committed back-to-back-to-back armed gas station robberies less than 10 miles apart in Bergen and Passaic counties Monday afternoon, authorities said. The attendant was pistol-whipped at a Valero on northbound Route 17 just before Route 46 in Hasbrouck Heights shortly before 3 p.m. Feb. 5, responders said. There was no immediate word on the extent of injuries to the attendant. Hasbrouck Heights police were directed to refer all questions to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, suggesting the likelihood that the same robber or robbers were involved in other area holdups. Le…
No Foul Play Suspected In Death Of Man Found At Garrett Mountain No Foul Play Suspected In Death Of Man Found At Garrett Mountain
No Foul Play Suspected In Death Of Man Found At Garrett Mountain The death of a 42-year-old man whose body was found at the Garrett Mountain Reservation on Thursday doesn't appear suspicious, authorities said. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Acting Passaic County Sheriff Gary Giardina confirmed the 1 p.m. Feb. 1 discovery in the Woodland Park preserve. They didn't indicate, however, whether they suspect suicide, overdose or other type of death. Valdes and Giardina did say that his vehicle was found nearby."Although this matter remains an active and ongoing investigation, there are no suspects being sought at this time, and there is no da…
Newly Minted Millionaire! Lotto Ticket Sold In NJ Hits Jackpot Newly Minted Millionaire! Lotto Ticket Sold In NJ Hits Jackpot
Newly Minted Millionaire! Lotto Ticket Sold In NJ Hits Jackpot It was a lucky day for one lotto player in New Jersey. A ticket sold online via the Jackpocket App, based in Passaic County, matched all five numbers in the Jersey Cash 5 drawing on Wednesday, Jan. 31, winning $1.12 million. The winning numbers were: 03, 22, 33, 40 and 45 and the XTRA number was: 04.
NJ Sheriff's Association Cites 'Fortitude, Resoluteness' Of Fallen Passaic Comrade Berdnik NJ Sheriff's Association Cites 'Fortitude, Resoluteness' Of Fallen Passaic Comrade Berdnik
NJ Sheriff's Association Cites 'Fortitude, Resoluteness' Of Fallen Passaic Comrade Berdnik "On behalf of the Sheriffs' Association of New Jersey, President Sheriff Gilbert "Whip" Wilson and its members, we express our sincere condolences for the loss of our dear brother in law enforcement, Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik. "Sheriff Berdnik's untimely passing was a shock to us all. He served as a member of the New Jersey Sheriffs Association for fifteen (13) years, where he worked hard to ensure the safety of the Passaic County residents and that the needs of the Passaic County community were addressed.  "Sheriff Berdnik was a man of great character, always mild-mannere…