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Wednesday, nov 13
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Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office
Police & Fire
Two Central Jersey Women Tried Using Dead Relatives' Identities To Vote, Prosecutors Say
Two Middlesex County women were accused of separate cases of voter fraud, authorities said. Katherine Fokas of Monroe and Lori Mulligan of Parlin were given voting fraud-related charges, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release on Friday, Nov. 1. The investigation began after prosecutors received from the county's elections board. Investigators said Fokas, 57, tried to apply for a mailed ballot using a dead family member's identity. She was charged with third-degree submitting a forged application for a mail-in ballot, impersonation, and forgery…
Police & Fire
Dogs Mauling Child Shot, Officer Grazed By Bullet At Central Jersey Motel, Prosecutor Says
A police officer and a child were both hospitalized during a harrowing incident at a Central Jersey motel, authorities said. Sayreville police responded to The Knights Inn in Sayreville in response to a distressed family member staying at the motel who called 9-1-1 saying that their family dogs were attacking a 10-year-old boy around 11:20 a.m., Monday, Nov. 4, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Arriving officers saw the dogs attacking a 10-year-old boy. To stop the attack upon the child, the officers shot the dogs, and in the process, an officer was struck and superfici…
Police & Fire
Driver Flees From Crash That Killed Passenger On Route 9: Prosecutor
A 47-year-old North Plainfield man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Woodbridge on Saturday, Oct. 25 in which the driver had fled from, authorities said. Mario Ortiz Bonilla was found dead in the front passenger's seat of the 2017 Kia Sportage on Route 9 and Green Street in Woodbridge just after 9:05 a.m., Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Woodbridge PD Director Robert Hubner said. The driver had fled the scene, Ciccone and Hubner said. Authorities did not provide further details. The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call …
News
Guilty
! Bruce Cymanski Convicted In Nancy Noga's Cold Case Killing
A 52-year-old New Jersey man accused of killing a 17-year-old girl 25 years ago has been found guilty, authorities announced. A Middlesex County Jury has found Bruce A. Cymanski guilty in the 1999 murder of Sayreville's Nancy Noga, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Sayreville Police Chief Daniel Plumacker said. Nancy was a senior in high school when she was reported missing on Jan. 7, 1999. Five days later, her body was found in a wooded area behind a strip mall on Ernston Road. An autopsy later determined Noga died from blunt force trauma after being struck with a b…
Police & Fire
Man, 34, Beaten To Death In Central Jersey Street Fight: Prosecutors
A New Brunswick man was beaten to death in the city over the weekend, authorities said. Oscar Sanchez, 34, died on Sunday, Oct. 13, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release on Tuesday, Oct. 15. New Brunswick police responded to a 911 call on Comstock Street at around 3:03 a.m. Officers found Sanchez unconscious and performed CPR on him. He was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators said Sanchez had been in a fight and suffered serious injuries. "It has been determined that this i…
Police & Fire
Woman Killed, Three Injured When SUV Runs Red Light In Central Jersey: Prosecutors
A Kendall Park woman was killed when she was in a car that was hit by an SUV that ran a traffic light in South Brunswick, authorities said. Ranjinidevi Ramakrishnan, 43, died in the crash, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release on Thursday, Oct. 10. Police responded to the crash in the area of Route 522 and Georges Road at around 7:13 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3. The driver and two passengers in a Hyundai Sonata were rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital with serious injuries. Ramakrishnan, a rear passenger, was pronou…
Police & Fire
NJ Woman, 24, Threatens To Kill Prosecutor's Staffer's Spouse, Authorities Say
A 24-year-old New Jersey woman has been arrested and charged with stalking, retaliation, and more, after authorities say she used social media to harass law enforcement and their family members, threatening to kill one's spouse. Malina Jaffrey was enrolled in the pretrial intervention program by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office in January 2024, after she was charged with bias intimidation for crimes against a Plainsboro man, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Last July, Jaffrey began using different Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts to harass an MCPO emp…
Police & Fire
DUI Driver Charged In Crash That Killed Motorcyclist, 25, In Middlesex County: Prosecutor
Charges have been filed against a 61-year-old Perth Amboy man in connection with a deadly crash last month, authorities said. Jorge Lopez surrendered to local police on Friday, Sept. 20, and was charged with one count of second-degree vehicular homicide, DUI, and other motor vehicle offenses, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Lopez was behind the wheel of a sedan that struck Michael Fernandez, 25, of Perth Amboy, who was found lying in the roadway at Kamm Road and Convery Boulevard just before 6 p.m. Aug. 23, Ciccone previously said. Fernandez was taken to Robert Wood …
Police & Fire
Wife Stabbed Dead By Husband, Both Found Lying On Kitchen Floor In NJ: Prosecutor
A Perth Amboy man has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of his wife overnight, authorities said. ALSO SEE: Perth Amboy Mom Believed Killed By Husband Survived By 4 Daughters, Campaign Says Officers responding to a 911 call on reports of a stabbing in a Bertrand Avenue residence found Rosana Rodriguez lying on the kitchen floor next to her husband, Wellington Leonardo, just before 3 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Perth Amboy Police Chief Lawrence Cattano said. Rodriguez appeared to have been stabbed, the prosecutor and chief s…
Police & Fire
18-Year-Old Killed Man, 22, In Central Jersey Shooting: Prosecutors
A Sayreville teen was accused of shooting and killing another man, authorities said. Daniel Adediran, 18, was arrested in the case, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release on Friday, Aug. 30. Jeremiah Brown, 22, died in the shooting on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Sayreville police responded to a 911 call about the shooting on Swider Drive at around 9:49 p.m. Officers found Brown with a gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said Adediran knew Brown and the shooting wasn't a "random act of violence." Adediran was …
Police & Fire
4-Year-Old Drowns In Pond, Found 50 Yards From Family's NJ Home: Police
A 4-year-old child drowned in a pond behind a home in Middlesex County on Wednesday, Aug. 27, authorities said. Police were called to a Monroe Township home around 6:50 p.m. for a missing child, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Monroe Township Police Chief Griffin M. Banos said. A search for the 4-year-old ensued. The child was found in a pond 50 yards from the back deck of the family’s home, and wasn’t breathing, police said. Authorities performed CPR on the child, who was rushed to Princeton Medical Center where they were pronounced dead. The incident…
Police & Fire
Perth Amboy Motorcyclist Killed In Three-Vehicle Crash, Investigators Say
A Perth Amboy man was killed when his motorcycle was hit by a car, authorities said. Michael Fernandez, 25, died in the three-vehicle crash on Friday, Aug. 23, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release. Perth Amboy police were called to the scene near the intersection of Kamm Road and Route 35 (Convery Boulevard) at around 5:55 p.m. Investigators said Fernandez was turning onto Route 35 when he was struck by a sedan, which also crashed into another vehicle. Fernandez was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital with serious injuries and he was pro…
Police & Fire
Central Jersey Man, 22, Killed In Shooting, Police Searching For Suspect: Prosecutors
Police were looking for whoever shot and killed a Sayreville man, authorities said. Jeremiah Brown, 22, died in the shooting in Sayreville on Tuesday, Aug. 20, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release. Officers responded to a 911 call about the shooting on Swider Drive at around 9:49 p.m. Police found Brown with a gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests have been made in the shooting as of press time. Anyone with information or surveillance video that could help investigators should call the Middlesex…
Police & Fire
Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Two Children, Uploaded Pics On Dark Web: Feds
A Plainsboro man was accused of sexually assaulting two children and uploading pictures of the abuse on the dark web, authorities said. Anthony Lagotta Jr., 54, was charged with one count each of production and possession of child pornography, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 20. He appeared in front of a federal judge and was detained. According to court documents and statements, Lagotta sexually assaulted two children and took photos of what happened about 15 years ago. He then uploaded 30 of the pictures to a child po…
News
New Brunswick Man Pleads Guilty In Shooting Near Rutgers Campus: Prosecutor
A 20-year-old New Brunswick man has pleaded guilty in connection with an April shooting near the Rutgers University campus, authorities said. Christian Farmer pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted murder and a weapons offense on Wednesday, July 24, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Vincent Sabo of the New Brunswick Police Department. Two people were injured in the shooting and three others were charged as accomplices, they said. On April 5, at approximately 2 a.m., authorities responded to 66 Easton Avenue following a report of a shooting. Upon…
Police & Fire
Son Finds Mom, 37, Stabbed Dead In Edison, Prosecutor Says
A 37-year-old man from Edison was charged in the fatal stabbing of a woman he knew, authorities said. Joan Franklin Polanco, 37, was detained by NYPD hours after the Sunday, July 21 stabbing, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan. Lizbeth Benitez-Rivera, 37, of Edison, was found with multiple stab wounds by her son, they said. Benitez-Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene. At about 4:40 p.m., Edison police received a 911 call reporting a stabbing on Horizon Drive. The investigation determined that Polanco …
News
Man On FBI's 'Most Wanted' List Captured In California 15 Years After NJ Robbery Tie-Up: Feds
A man who has been on the FBI's "Most Wanted" list for a 2009 armed robbery of a New Jersey restaurant has been captured in California. Kofi Edwards, 51, was arrested without incident in Sacramento, CA following a tip from the public, the FBI's Newark Central Jersey Safe Streets Task Force announced. FBI Newark had offered up to $10,000 leading to Edward’s arrest and will pay out the reward. On March 17, 2009, Edwards and several others allegedly went into a Woodbridge restaurant, using a weapon to rob the business and tie up three people. Edwards was charged with Hob…
Police & Fire
Food Deliveryman Heard Man Berating Grandmother Before He Beat Her Dead In NJ: Affidavit
The 35-year-old man accused of beating his grandmother to death in Middlesex County was "inconsistent and disoriented" in his statement to police and had bruises on his swollen hands, authorities said. Raymond T. Maldonado, of Perth Amboy, has been charged with murder in connection with the Sunday, June 30 death of Awilda Verrette, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone previously said. Maldonado, who had lived in his grandmother's attic, also is charged with violating a restraining order, she said. Verrette, 80, was found unresponsive in a State Street home by a relative ar…
Police & Fire
Man, 34, Violates Restraining Order, Killed Grandmother, 80, In Perth Amboy: Officials (
Update
)
A 34-year-old man has been charged with violating a restraining order and killing his grandmother in Middlesex County, authorities said. Raymond Maldonado, of Perth Amboy, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Awilda Verrette, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Verrette, 80, was found unresponsive in a State Street home by a relative around 1:10 p.m. Sunday, June 30, according to Ciccone and Perth Amboy Police Chief Lawrence Cattano. An investigation conducted by Detective Jeremy Harris of the Perth Amboy Police Department and Detective Jose …
News
DWI Driver Sentenced In Fatal Central Jersey Crash: Prosecutor
A 21-year-old man from Old Bridge has been sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison in connection with a fatal drunk driving crash, authorities said. James Cannici was sentenced on Friday, June 14 in connection with the fatal crash that occurred at about 11:20 p.m. on July 16, 2023, when he drove the wrong way on Route 18 in Old Bridge, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. Florence Akoma, 45, of Sayreville, a passenger in a Honda Accord involved in the three-car crash, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Honda Accord sustained seriou…
News
DUI Driver Sentenced In NJ Turnpike Crash That Killed Philadelphia Passenger: Prosecutor
A 32-year-old driver from Philadelphia has been sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison in connection with a crash that killed his passenger in Edison, authorities said. Yvenson Louis, 32, was sentenced on June 12 in connection with the fatal crash that occurred on March 27, 2023, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. At approximately 2:40 a.m., New Jersey State Police responded to the southbound side of the New Jersey Turnpike at mile marker 87.5. Troopers found two vehicles, a 2012 Dodge Journey that had struck the rear of a 2019 Vo…
Police & Fire
Video Shows Arrest Of Out-Of-State Suspect In Deadly Central Jersey Double Shooting (
Details
)
A 19-year-old man from Washington state has been charged in connection with a shooting that left one woman dead and another in critical condition in Carteret, authorities said. Video shared by A.D. Pauro shows Gaurav Gill, of Kent, WA — identified by Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone — being taken into custody Wednesday, June 12 in the yard of a Carteret home, following a shooting that left a 29-year-old woman dead and another critical. Arrest Made in Carteret Double Shooting Carteret, New Jersey - Authorities have made an arrest in connection with a... Posted by A.D. Pauro o…
Police & Fire
Homicide Suspect Killed By Police Officers At NJ Hotel, AG Says
Two police officers are recovering from injuries after being shot overnight at a hotel in Woodbridge while attempting to track down a homicide suspect. The suspect was shot and killed at the scene, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. The two injured officers were from the Woodbridge Police Department and New York City Police Department, Platkin said. More details from the incident were expected to be released later on Thursday, June 13. "This incident is another reminder that our law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to keep our communities safe," Platki…
Police & Fire
Double Carteret Shooting: What We Know
Two people were flown to the hospital after being shot in Carteret Wednesday morning, June 12, officials said. The incident happened outside of a Roosevelt Avenue home around 9 a.m., Mayor Dan Reiman said. UPDATE: 2 Females Shot, 1 Dead In Carteret; Suspect Sought, Police Say Carteret Police, mutual aid and other emergency services were on scene as of press time. Out of an abundance of caution, Minue School located a half-mile away from the incident was locked down, Reiman noted. Further Updates will be provided by the CPD and Middlesex County Prosecutors office as they b…
Police & Fire
Undercover Sting Nabs NJ Creeps Seeking Sex With Kids Online, Prosecutor Says
An undercover operation targeted toward people trying to lure children into sexual activity online has led to the arrests of four men, authorities in Middlesex County said. "Operation Cruel Summer" is a multi-agency sting between the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, US Secret Service, Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, and various local police departments. The charges were announced by Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, who said four men were arrested between June 3 and June 6, 2024. The underage “children” that the perpetrators were speaking with were, in fact, underco…
Police & Fire
Driver Killed In Central Jersey Crash
A driver was killed in a Saturday, June 8 crash in Sayreville, authorities said. The crash occurred at about 12:15 a.m. on Cheesequake Road, according to New Jersey State Police fatal crash data. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said Sayreville police were not immediately available for more details.
Police & Fire
Central Jersey Man Sentenced In Fatal Hit-Run Crash
A 23-year-old man from Woodbridge has been sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison for a fatal hit-and-run crash, authorities said. Antonio Rivera was sentenced on Monday, June 3 in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on August 31, 2023, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. At 5:40 p.m. that day, Woodbridge Police responded to the intersection of Woodbridge Center Drive and Plaza Drive following the report of hit and run. Police found the victim, Kristen Bruschi, 45, of Fords who was struck by a black Ford Mustang while she …
Police & Fire
2-Year-Old Boy Dies Days After Near-Drowning In South Plainfield: Prosecutor
The two-year-old boy who was in critical condition after nearly drowning succumbed to his injuries on Friday, May 31, authorities said. On Tuesday, May 28, at approximately 7:40 p.m., South Plainfield police received a 911 call reporting that a child was found in the pool and wasn’t breathing. Upon their arrival, authorities performed CPR on the two-year-old and transported him to JFK Hospital. The victim was transferred to Jersey Shore Medical Center where he remained in critical condition until he was pronounced dead on Friday. The drowning comes days after…
Police & Fire
2-Year-Old Boy Nearly Drowns In South Plainfield Pool: Prosecutor
A 2-year-old boy remains in critical condition after nearly drowning in a pool in South Plainfield, authorities said. On Tuesday, May 28, at approximately 7:36 p.m.., South Plainfield Police Department received a 911 call reporting that a child was found in the pool and wasn’t breathing, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office. Authorities performed CPR on the boy and took him to JFK Hospital where he has remained in critical condition, the prosecutor said on Wednesday afternoon, May 29. The incident is being reviewed by Detective Craig Magnani of the …
Police & Fire
4-Year-Old Boy Drowns In NJ Pool, Prosecutor Says
Police are investigating the drowning of a boy in a Central Jersey town over Memorial Day Weekend. The 4-year-old was found lifeless in a residential pool in North Brunswick around 7:45 p.m. Saturday, May 25, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and North Brunswick Police Chief Joseph Battaglia said. Upon their arrival, authorities performed CPR on the boy, who was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, Ciccone said. The incident is being investigated by Detective John Hanrahan of the North Brunswick Police Department who…
Police & Fire
DUI Driver Charged In Hit-Run Crash With Pedestrian In Central Jersey: Prosecutor
A 31-year-old man from Central Jersey was driving under the influence when he fled the scene of a pedestrian crash, authorities said. Abel Bustos-Medel, 31, of New Brunswick, was charged with assault by auto, leaving the scene of an accident and DUI in the crash, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Vincent Sabo of the New Brunswick Police Department. On Monday, May 20, at approximately 1:25 a.m., New Brunswick police responded to 100 Jersey Ave. for a pedestrian hit and run. Police found a man, 25, of New Brunswick, who sustained serious&…
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