Raid Uncovers Illegal Breeding Operation: 7 Dogs, 5 Exotic Reptiles In Jersey City Raid Uncovers Illegal Breeding Operation: 7 Dogs, 5 Exotic Reptiles In Jersey City
Raid Uncovers Illegal Breeding Operation: 7 Dogs, 5 Exotic Reptiles In Jersey City Seven dogs and five reptiles were rescued from an illegal breeding facility uncovered during a multi-agency investigation in Jersey City, authorities said. The Jersey City Municipal Prosecutor’s Office, in coordination with the Health and Human Services Department, Zoning officials, and Jersey City Police, executed an administrative warrant that led to the discovery of an illegal dog breeding operation, according to spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione. Among the animals rescued were seven mixed-breed pitbulls and five exotic reptiles, including a large Columbian boa constrictor, a Savann…
AG IDs Man Who Plunged To His Death During Hudson County Police Pursuit AG IDs Man Who Plunged To His Death During Hudson County Police Pursuit
AG IDs Man Who Plunged To His Death During Hudson County Police Pursuit The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has identified the man who died during a police encounter in Hudson County last week as a 26-year-old Texas man. Authorities on Friday, Nov. 22, named Brandon Lee Ortega as the individual who died following a foot chase with Guttenberg police on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The incident began around 11:02 p.m. when officers responded to 68th Street and Bellevue Avenue for a reported disturbance. Police were informed that one of the individuals involved, later identified as Ortega, was armed with a gun, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Guttenberg Pol…
Multi-Alarm Fire Breaks Out In Bayonne Multi-Alarm Fire Breaks Out In Bayonne
Multi-Alarm Fire Breaks Out In Bayonne A multi-alarm fire tore through a Bayonne building Friday morning, Nov. 22. Firefighters were called to the scene on Avenue C and 20th around noon. This is a developing story. Check back for more.
Two Teens Arrested After Discarded Loaded Gun Forces Union HS Into Lockdown: Police Two Teens Arrested After Discarded Loaded Gun Forces Union HS Into Lockdown: Police
Two Teens Arrested After Discarded Loaded Gun Forces Union HS Into Lockdown: Police Two teenagers were arrested after they discarded a loaded firearm in the bushes near Union High School, prompting a lockdown, on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 21, authorities said. At 8:11 a.m., officers responded to a resident near Union High School who reported finding a fanny pack in the bushes near Stahuber Drive, Township of Union police said. Officers responded and determined the fanny pack had a loaded Smith and Weston 380 handgun in it, police said.  Detectives also responded to the scene and located a home that had an exterior camera and they were able to view the footage that…
Reward Offered In Fatal Hit-and-Run Newark Crash: Authorities Reward Offered In Fatal Hit-and-Run Newark Crash: Authorities
Reward Offered In Fatal Hit-and-Run Newark Crash: Authorities It has been three years since 42-year-old Rajon Collins was fatally struck by a hit-and-run vehicle in Newark. Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II and Essex County Sherriff Armando Fontoura announced on Thursday, Nov. 21, a $5,000 Crime Stoppers Program reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the fatal crash. Collins was struck near Springfield Avenue and South 18th Street on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, authorities said. Collins was hit by a red Jeep Grand Cherokee that had been reported stolen and was traveling at a high rate of speed, au…
Duo Stole $4K In Merch From Lululemon: Closter PD Duo Stole $4K In Merch From Lululemon: Closter PD
Duo Stole $4K In Merch From Lululemon: Closter PD Two people are at large after stealing more than $4,000 in merchandise from Lululemon in Closter on Monday, Nov. 11, authorities said. At 3:15 p.m., officers responded to the Lululemon at Closter Plaza on a report of a shoplifting, Closter police said. The store manager said two men wearing black hoodies went to separate areas of the store pretending to browse around, police said. Once store employees turned their back toward them, they grabbed multiple men's clothing items displayed on the table closest to the entrance of the store and ran out with the items, police said. The two men stole…
West New York Financial Advisor Gets 3+ Years for $4M Health Care Fraud Scheme: Feds West New York Financial Advisor Gets 3+ Years for $4M Health Care Fraud Scheme: Feds
West New York Financial Advisor Gets 3+ Years for $4M Health Care Fraud Scheme: Feds  A 55-year-old West New York financial advisor was sentenced to 41 months in prison on Monday, Nov. 18, for orchestrating a $4 million scheme to defraud public health insurance plans, authorities said. Kaival Patel was convicted last December in Camden federal court of conspiracy, health care fraud, and money laundering, US Attorney Phillip Sellinger said. Patel must also pay $4.72 million in restitution and serve three years of supervised release, Sellinger said. According to court documents and trial evidence, Patel operated ABC Healthy Living LLC, a company that marketed high-cost c…
North Bergen Man Attempted To Lure 11-Year-Old: WNY Police North Bergen Man Attempted To Lure 11-Year-Old: WNY Police
North Bergen Man Attempted To Lure 11-Year-Old: WNY Police A 29-year-old North Bergen man was arrested and charged on Tuesday, Nov. 19, after he attempted to lure an 11-year old girl into his vehicle in West New York, authorities said. The attempted luring occurred at 10:45 p.m. at 61st Street and Kennedy Boulevard, West New York police said. The child was not harmed during the incident, police said. Guy McCann was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and attempting to lure or entice a child, police said. McCann is currently lodged in the Hudson County Jail, police said.
Newark Man Charged In Paramus Woman's Murder: Prosecutor Newark Man Charged In Paramus Woman's Murder: Prosecutor
Newark Man Charged In Paramus Woman's Murder: Prosecutor A 21-year-old Newark man has been charged with murder after authorities say he strangled and stabbed a 74-year-old woman inside her Paramus home before stealing her vehicle and debit card. Kishan S. Sheth was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in Newark following an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the Paramus Police Department, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Paramus police conducted a welfare check on Monday, Nov. 18, around 4:08 p.m. at an East Ridgewood Avenue residence, where they discovered Rita Acharya dead on her couch, Musella said. An investigatio…
Three Injured, 30 People Displaced In Jersey City Blaze: Authorities Three Injured, 30 People Displaced In Jersey City Blaze: Authorities
Three Injured, 30 People Displaced In Jersey City Blaze: Authorities A fast-moving fire tore through a Jersey City apartment building on Wednesday, Nov. 19, displacing 30 residents and sending two people and one firefighter to the hospital, authorities said. The Jersey City Fire Department responded to a blaze at 274 Monticello Ave. and discovered a working fire in the four-story, 16-unit apartment building, Kimberly Wallace-Scalfione, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office said. The fire appeared to have started in the basement, with heavy smoke spreading through the building’s hallways, Wallace-Scalfione said. Three people trapped were rescued by firefighte…
Union City Man Possessed, Uploaded Child Porn: Prosecutor Union City Man Possessed, Uploaded Child Porn: Prosecutor
Union City Man Possessed, Uploaded Child Porn: Prosecutor A 76-year-old Union City man was arrested and charged on Tuesday, Nov. 19, with possessing and uploading child pornography, authorities said. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip back in March that child sex abuse material was being uploaded from an electronic device, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. During the course of the investigation, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office detectives discovered hundreds of child sex abuse materials on Carlos Manzini’s computer. Manzini was charged with endangering the we…
Newark Man Convicted Of Killing Friend After Argument: Prosecutor Newark Man Convicted Of Killing Friend After Argument: Prosecutor
Newark Man Convicted Of Killing Friend After Argument: Prosecutor A 46-year-old Newark resident was recently convicted of murder in the first degree after shooting his friend in the back in February 2023, authorities said. William Whitfield was arguing with his friend, 45-year-old Keni Johnson inside the Bradley Court Housing Complex, Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II said. Following the argument, Whitfield went to his apartment, obtained a gun and fatally shot Johnson in the back of the neck, Stephens said. Whitfield faces 30 years to life in prison when he is sentenced in January, Stephens said. Whitfield was also convicted of weapons charges, Stephens s…
Former Jersey Shore Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Girl, Police Say Former Jersey Shore Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Girl, Police Say
Former Jersey Shore Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Girl, Police Say A former Galloway Township gymnastics coach was accused of sexually assaulting a girl under 16 years old, authorities said. The Galloway Township Police Department announced the arrest of 51-year-old Matthew Shriver in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The Brigantine man was a co-owner of Everest Gymnastics and Tumbling Center in Galloway Township. The investigation began after officers received a report regarding the abuse accusations. Police said they obtained cell phone evidence that corroborated the victim’s statements.  This evidence led to search warrants for Shriver’s phone, perso…
Car Slams Into Tree in Bloomfield, Leaving Two In Critical Condition: Authorities Car Slams Into Tree in Bloomfield, Leaving Two In Critical Condition: Authorities
Car Slams Into Tree in Bloomfield, Leaving Two In Critical Condition: Authorities Two people are in critical condition after a car crashed into a tree in Bloomfield on the evening of Sunday, Nov. 17, authorities said. At 10 p.m., a 2024 silver Acura Integra struck the tree at John F. Kennedy Drive North and Spruce Street, a spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.  The driver and the three passengers were transported to a nearby hospital, authorities said. Two of the occupants were listed in critical condition, authorities said The investigation is ongoing, authorities said.
Teen Was Speeding, Blew Stop Sign In Crash That Killed NJ Girl On 1st Day Of School: Officials Teen Was Speeding, Blew Stop Sign In Crash That Killed NJ Girl On 1st Day Of School: Officials
Teen Was Speeding, Blew Stop Sign In Crash That Killed NJ Girl On 1st Day Of School: Officials A 17-year-old Clinton Township resident has been charged on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in connection with a crash in August in Franklin Township that killed 16-year-old Sophia Detorres on the first day of school. An investigation found that the driver was speeding and failed to stop at a designated stop sign just before the collision at Hogback Road and Lower Lansdown Road in Franklin Township, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson and Chief of Detectives Timothy Drew, said.  Detorres was among three juvenile passengers in the vehicle, and two other cars were involved in the crash…
NJ Performing Arts HS Teacher Confesses To Molesting Female Student, Prosecutors Say NJ Performing Arts HS Teacher Confesses To Molesting Female Student, Prosecutors Say
NJ Performing Arts HS Teacher Confesses To Molesting Female Student, Prosecutors Say A former teacher at an Ocean County performing arts academy admitted to molesting a female student, authorities said. Douglas Bollinger of Neptune City, pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 18, to endangering the welfare of a child, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Investigators said Bollinger, 57, engaged in "inappropriate sexual contact" with a student. The incidents happened in Point Pleasant Beach and Asbury Park between February and August 2019. Bollinger was a teacher at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy, part of Ocean County Vocational Tech…
Victim ID'd In Fatal East Orange Crash: Prosecutor Victim ID'd In Fatal East Orange Crash: Prosecutor
Victim ID'd In Fatal East Orange Crash: Prosecutor The pedestrian fatally struck by a vehicle in East Orange on the early morning of Saturday, Nov. 16 has been identified as a 24-year-old man, authorities said. Darian Anthony Martinez was hit by a 2024 Honda Accord at 33 Ampere Pl., at 5:30 a.m., the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said, though they did not say when or where he died. The investigation is ongoing, authorities said.
Suspects At Large After Armed Newark Home Invasion: Suspects At Large After Armed Newark Home Invasion:
Suspects At Large After Armed Newark Home Invasion: Two suspects are at large following an armed home invasion in Newark on Saturday, Nov. 16, authorities said. At 5:45 p.m., the two suspects attempted to steal an electric bike from a residence on Elm Street, Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said. The owners of the electric bicycle chased the suspects and retrieved it after an altercation, Miranda said. As the owners were filing a robbery report at the Franklin Street precinct, the suspects returned to the owner’s Elm Street home, where they kicked in the door brandishing a weapon, Miranda said. They confronted a basement t…
Crash Snarls Traffic On Garden State Parkway In Union County: NJSP Crash Snarls Traffic On Garden State Parkway In Union County: NJSP
Crash Snarls Traffic On Garden State Parkway In Union County: Njsp A crash on the Garden State Parkway in Union County has backed up traffic on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 19, authorities said. The crash occurred on the Garden State Parkway northbound near Exit 137 at Route 28 in Kenilworth and Cranford Township, the New Jersey Department of Transportation said. Though all lanes have reopened, according to NJDOT, traffic remains bad, according to a witness at the scene. 
Crash On NJ Turnpike Shuts 2 Lanes Near Newark Airport Crash On NJ Turnpike Shuts 2 Lanes Near Newark Airport
Crash On NJ Turnpike Shuts 2 Lanes Near Newark Airport A crash on the New Jersey Turnpike near Newark Liberty International Airport caused significant delays Monday morning, Nov. 19, closing two left lanes in the northbound lanes, authorities said. The accident occurred around 8:30 a.m., just north of Interchange 13A, affecting traffic on Route 1&9 and surrounding areas. Emergency response vehicles were on the scene as of 9:10 a.m., working to clear the wreckage. Motorists are advised to expect delays and use alternate routes if possible. No information about injuries or the cause of the crash has been released at this time. This is a deve…
Hoboken Man Impersonated Cops: Police Hoboken Man Impersonated Cops: Police
Hoboken Man Impersonated Cops: Police A 43-year-old Hoboken man was arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 26, authorities said. At 11:05 p.m., officers were on patrol when they observed a private vehicle with police lights and a siren trying to pull other vehicles over near the intersection of First and Court Streets, Hoboken police said.  Officers recognized the driver as Matthew Seriale and observed him to have slurred and slow speech, police said. Seriale refused a field sobriety test and was arrested for impersonating a police officer, police said…
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Admits To Sexually Exploiting Players, Prosecutors Say NJ Youth Soccer Coach Admits To Sexually Exploiting Players, Prosecutors Say
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Admits To Sexually Exploiting Players, Prosecutors Say A Union Beach youth soccer coach admitted to molesting two players and sending sexual pictures to several others, authorities said. Ryan Gunsauls, 33, pleaded guilty during a hearing in superior court, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Monday, Nov. 18. The investigation began in May when a teen reported Gunsauls had asked for and shared sexually explicit material through a social media app. As the case developed, eight additional victims between 11 and 17 years old were identified. Gunsauls was held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution an…
NJ Postmaster Dragged Female Employee Into Bathroom After Groping Her: Feds NJ Postmaster Dragged Female Employee Into Bathroom After Groping Her: Feds
NJ Postmaster Dragged Female Employee Into Bathroom After Groping Her: Feds A postmaster at the Teaneck Post Office is facing federal charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a female employee he was supervised, authorities said. Gabriel Ekram Pagabe Ali, 47, is charged with violating the woman’s civil rights and assaulting her while she was working as a City Carrier Assistant for the U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced. The incident happened on Nov. 26, 2022, when Ali groped the victim’s breasts and buttocks without her consen…
Pedestrian Fatally Struck By Vehicle In East Orange: Prosecutor Pedestrian Fatally Struck By Vehicle In East Orange: Prosecutor
Pedestrian Fatally Struck By Vehicle In East Orange: Prosecutor A pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle in East Orange on the early morning of Saturday, Nov. 16, authorities said. At 5:30 a.m., the pedestrian was hit by a 2024 Honda Accord at 33 Ampere Pl., the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said, though they did not say when or where they died. The identity of the pedestrian has not been revealed. The investigation is ongoing.
Juvenile Shot In East Orange: Authorities Juvenile Shot In East Orange: Authorities
Juvenile Shot In East Orange: Authorities A juvenile was found shot in East Orange on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 14, authorities said. At 6:34 p.m., police responded to 165 North 17th St. and found the juvenile lying near a staircase in the first floor hallway suffering from a gunshot wound, a spokesperson for the city said. The juvenile was transported to University Hospital in Newark for evaluation and treatment of gunshot wounds to his chest, authorities said. He is in stable condition, authorities said.
25-Year-Old NY Firefighter Killed In Sussex County Crash: NJSP 25-Year-Old NY Firefighter Killed In Sussex County Crash: NJSP
25-Year-Old NY Firefighter Killed In Sussex County Crash: Njsp A 25-year-old New York man was killed in a crash on Route 284 in Sussex County on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 17, authorities said. At 2:02 p.m., a Chevrolet passenger vehicle, driven by Andrew Slagle, an Orange County resident from Westtown, was traveling northbound on Route 284 in Wantage Township when it veered off the roadway to the right, struck several trees and overturned, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said.  Slagle sustained fatal injuries, Lebron said. The crash remains under investigation, Lebron said. Slagle was a firefighter with the Wawayan…
Four Newark Firefighters Injured In Three-Alarm Fire: Authorities Four Newark Firefighters Injured In Three-Alarm Fire: Authorities
Four Newark Firefighters Injured In Three-Alarm Fire: Authorities Four Newark firefighters were injured battling a three-alarm blaze that began on the late evening of Friday, Nov. 15, authorities said. At 11:57 p.m., firefighters responded to 11 Seymour Ave., an unoccupied residential building, Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said. The fire extended to two occupied residential buildings at 9 Seymour Ave. and 13 Seymour Ave, Miranda said. A 2nd alarm, requesting additional units to the scene, was called at midnight, and a 3rd alarm, requesting even more units, was called at 12:04 a.m., Miranda said. One fire captain and three firefighte…
Teen Missing From Morris County, Police Ask For Help Teen Missing From Morris County, Police Ask For Help
Teen Missing From Morris County, Police Ask For Help Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a 15-year-old boy reported missing from Morris County. Michael Bunzendahl, a 6-foot-tall, 145-pound teenager, was last seen on Arthur Drive around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2024, police said. Michael left his residence without his cell phone and was not dressed for the cold weather, police said. He was last seen wearing a green hooded sweatshirt with the words "Lakeland Swim," black pants, and gray-and-white shoes. Anyone with information on Michael’s whereabouts is urged to contact the local police department at 973-263-4300 e…
Teen Missing From Morris County, Police Ask For Help Teen Missing From Morris County, Police Ask For Help
Teen Missing From Morris County, Police Ask For Help Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a 15-year-old boy reported missing from Morris County. Michael Bunzendahl, a 6-foot-tall, 145-pound teenager, was last seen on Arthur Drive around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2024, police said. Michael left his residence without his cell phone and was not dressed for the cold weather, police said. He was last seen wearing a green hooded sweatshirt with the words "Lakeland Swim," black pants, and gray-and-white shoes. Anyone with information on Michael’s whereabouts is urged to contact the local police department at 973-263-4300 e…
VIDEO: Stolen Porsche Crashes Into Newark Building After Officer Shoots At Driver VIDEO: Stolen Porsche Crashes Into Newark Building After Officer Shoots At Driver
Video: Stolen Porsche Crashes Into Newark Building After Officer Shoots At Driver The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has released footage from body-worn cameras related to a non-fatal police shooting that happened last August and involved a stolen Porsche. The shooting involved Newark Police Officer Alexander Ferreira and his partner on Aug. 12, around 8:35 p.m., when Ferreira and the officers spotted a Porsche Macan parked on Clinton Place near Hawthorne Avenue, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Determining the vehicle was stolen, Ferreira and his partner positioned their patrol car in front of the Porsche and approached the occupant, a m…
NJ Corrections Officer Arrested On Child Porn Charges: Prosecutor NJ Corrections Officer Arrested On Child Porn Charges: Prosecutor
NJ Corrections Officer Arrested On Child Porn Charges: Prosecutor A New Jersey corrections officer has been arrested on child pornography charges, authorities said. Austin Metivier, 34, of Mount Holly, was taken into custody at the Burlington County Jail, where he works, and lodged at the Camden County Jail,  Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Pemberton Township Police Chief Jonathan Glass said. The investigation began last month after Pemberton Township police were informed that a hard drive belonging to Metivier contained child sex abuse material. A forensic examination of the hard drive later revealed that it contained multip…