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NJ Corrections Lt. Stole, Sold $475K In State Ammo, Prosecutors Say
A New Jersey Department of Corrections lieutenant in charge of managing state ammunition stockpiles was charged with stealing and selling taxpayer-funded ammo for personal profit, authorities said.
Timothy Morris, 56, of Bayville (Ocean County), who served as NJDOC’s Range Master, is accused of illegally ordering excess ammunition and selling it on the secondary market, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced.
Morris allegedly pocketed more than $475,000 through this scheme while attempting to conceal his financial transactions, prosecutors said.
Morris, who has held his Range Master…
Firefighter Stole $10K From Union, Spent It On Food: Burlington County Prosecutor
A 38-year-old New Jersey firefighter was arrested and charged on Monday, March 10, with stealing $10,000 from a labor union representing first responders, authorities said.
Tull,a Williamstown resident and a firefighter in Cinnaminson, was treasurer of a union that represented firefighters and EMTs throughout Burlington County, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said.
An investigation revealed Tull used the union's debit card to withdraw $6,300 from ATMs, which he then put into his personal account, Bradshaw said. Tull illegally utilized the union’s debit card to spend $3,384…
Brazen Dunkin' Bandit Steals $18K From 14 Locations Across New Jersey: Prosecutor
A Newark man is behind bars after authorities say he went on a multi-county Dunkin’ burglary spree, swiping more than $18,000 in cash and leaving a trail of destruction behind.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 24-year-old Enajaim E. Bowman, who turned himself in on Tuesday, Feb. 25, after detectives tracked him down following weeks of investigation.
For nearly two months, Bowman prowled the overnight hours, prying open doors and smashing windows to loot cash registers, safes, and managers’ offices at Dunkin’ Donuts locations across Bergen, Middlesex, Morris, and…
'Jury Duty' Scammers From Paterson Swindled $190K From Victims: Prosecutor
Three Paterson residents have been arrested in connection with a phony bail bond scam that swindled nearly $190,000 from unsuspecting victims across Bergen County, authorities announced.
Yasen R. Delgado, 26; Ahjainay N. Gawthney, 27; and Delareese Delgado, 31, were taken into custody on Thursday, Feb. 27, following a multi-agency investigation, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
The suspects are accused of posing as law enforcement officers and bail bondsmen, calling victims and threatening them with arrest warrants for missing court dates or jury duty. Victims were told to hand o…
$700K Gold, Bitcoin Theft: ‘PayPal’ Poser From NJ Scams Elderly PA Man, DA Says
A slick con artist posing as a PayPal agent scammed a 74-year-old Pennsylvania man out of nearly $700,000 in gold and cryptocurrency, authorities revealed on Friday, Feb. 28.
Hirtik Hemchand Khatri, 24, of Lawrence Township, New Jersey, allegedly orchestrated a high-stakes fraud that convinced the victim to empty his savings, fearing he’d be arrested if he didn’t comply, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Whitehall Township Police Chief Michael Marks said.
Khatri, who twice showed up at the victim’s home in a Mercedes-Benz to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in gol…
Shoplifter Turned Attacker Charged With Robbery At Garden State Plaza, Paramus Police Say
A Bronx man accused of shoplifting from a store at the Westfield Garden State Plaza allegedly assaulted multiple people, including a store manager, a pursuing employee, and an elderly female shopper, authorities said.
Omar A. Ricketts, 33, was arrested and charged with robbery following the violent incident on Thursday, Feb. 20, at approximately 5:50 p.m., according to Paramus Police Chief Robert Guidetti.
Three men entered Champs Sports, and Ricketts allegedly concealed two Nike Tech Fleece jackets before attempting to leave without paying.
When a store manager confronted him, Ricketts sh…
Suspended Attorney Stole Clients Cash In NJ, PA Real Estate Scam: DA
A suspended real estate attorney is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, prosecutors announced on Monday, Feb. 24.
James "Jim" J. Vassallo Jr., 55, of Voorhees, New Jersey, was arrested for misappropriating funds while handling a Downingtown, Pennsylvania, home purchase in early 2023, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said. Despite having his Pennsylvania law license suspended since August 2018, Vassallo allegedly continued to act as an attorney, taking money from his clients under false pretenses.
The victims wired funds …
$40K In Eggs Stolen From Distribution Trailer: Police
Amid the avian flu outbreak, authorities are investigating the theft of "high-value goods" from a Pennsylvania business, State Police announced on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Approximately 100,000 organic eggs, valued at $40,000, were stolen from a distribution trailer at Pete and Gerry's Organics in Antrim Township, according to PSP Chambersburg.
The theft occurred sometime overnight on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Commerce Avenue facility, troopers detailed in the release.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact PSP Chambersburg at 717-264-5161.
NY Mailbox Thief Nearly Hits Officer In High-Speed NJ Chase, Police Say
A Westchester, NY man has been arrested for his role in a mailbox theft ring that plagued Bergen County for weeks, authorities said.
Edward Orozco, of Yonkers, was apprehended after a dramatic high-speed chase and a month-long investigation by the Wallington Police Department, Sgt. Brian Rosas said.
The theft ring, which targeted mailboxes in October, resulted in thousands of dollars in losses for residents after stolen checks were rewritten and repeatedly deposited, according to Rosas.
Wallington police launched an extensive investigation, identifying the suspect vehicle as a blue BMW M-S…
Hoboken Lululemon Loses $39K In Merch To Thieves, Police Say
Multiple shoplifters are at large after stealing items from a Lululemon in Hoboken on eight different incidents this year, authorities said.
The shopliftings occurred between Friday, Aug. 30 and Tuesday, Nov. 26, Hoboken police said. Each time, the shoplifters entered the store at 313 Washington St., took multiple items, and left without paying, police said.
The thieves made off with more than $39,000 in merchandise, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to email Milnec@hobokenpdnj.gov or Campoverdej@hobokenpdnj.gov.
Ringwood Woman Stole $700K From Law Firm: Union County Prosecutor
A 54-year-old Ringwood woman was arrested and charged on Thursday, Dec. 12 with stealing more than $700,000 from the law firm she worked at, authorities said.
Between 2018 and 2024 Colleen Hallenbeck, who was employed as a paralegal for a Union County-based law firm, misappropriated funds from various estates handled by the firm, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said.
Hallenbeck was responsible for distributing funds from estate accounts to beneficiaries. However, she wrote hundreds of unauthorized checks, totaling in excess of $700,000, for deposit into accounts s…
State Worker Steals $130K From Mom Who Killed Both Sons Then Fled To NJ For Drugs: DA
A Philadelphia woman stole over $130,000 from a former Norristown State Hospital resident who was convicted of murdering her two young sons, using the funds for personal expenses, including a Puerto Rico vacation, officials announced on Monday, Dec. 23.
Bridget Nicole Compton, 51, is accused of stealing $132,480.01 from the TD Ameritrade account of Trinh Nguyen, a former Norristown State Hospital resident, officials in Bucks County, PA said. Nguyen is currently serving two life sentences for fatally shooting her sons, 13-year-old Jeffrey “JT” Tini and 9-year-old Nelson Tini, in their Upper M…
Smile For The Doorbell Camera: Paterson Porch Pirate Arrested For $1K Lyndhurst Theft, Cops Say
A Paterson porch pirate is facing charges for swiping a $1,000 electronics package from a Lyndhurst home, police announced.
Jeison Sime Martinez, 24, was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, after the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department apprehended him during a motor vehicle violation investigation, Detective Lt. Vincent Auteri said.
The arrest stemmed from an incident on Tuesday, Oct. 22, when a Lyndhurst resident reported that a package had been stolen from their front porch.
Surveillance footage from a doorbell camera provided detectives with a clear description of the suspect and …
NJ Police Sergeant Tests Positive For Meth, Took Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor
A police sergeant in Hammonton is facing multiple charges after testing positive for methamphetamine and taking drugs from the department's evidence room, authorities said.
Detective Sergeant Robert Zbikowski, 45, of Hammonton, was charged on Monday, Nov. 25, with second-degree official misconduct, second-degree pattern of official misconduct, third-degree theft by unlawful taking, and two fourth-degree charges: tampering with physical evidence and obstruction of law, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
In 2024, the Hammonton Police Department contacted the Atlantic County…
Burglar Tied To Bergen County Spree Arrested: Prosecutor
An Elizabeth man has been charged in connection to a series of residential burglaries across Bergen County, authorities said Monday, Nov. 25.
Jonnathan Diaz-Gomez, 42, was arrested following a months-long investigation led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Paramus Police Department, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
The investigation began on April 27, 2024, when Paramus police interrupted an attempted burglary in progress on Ehret Street, Musella said. Responding officers found a car idling near the scene, allegedly occupied by multiple suspects. As officers arrived, t…
Teen Burglar Caught After Ransacking Bergen County Apartment, Police Say
A Maywood resident returned to her apartment on Tuesday, Nov. 19, to find a light on in the rear bedroom and assumed her husband was home, authorities said.
Instead, an unknown man emerged, fled through the bedroom window, and left the Howcroft Road apartment ransacked, according to Maywood Police Chief Terence Kenny.
Officers from Maywood and Rochelle Park police departments responded to the scene at 5:14 p.m., established a perimeter, and began their search, Kenny said. They determined the suspect had entered through an unlocked rear window, he added.
Shortly after, Detective Brian Rubio…
Home Invaders Posed As Police Officers, Restrained Children In Bergen County House: Prosecutor
A New York trio has been arrested in connection with a home invasion earlier this month in Bergen County, authorities said.
Diogenes A. Rosario, 49, of New York, NY; Leonel Perez, 38, of New York, NY; and Misael Diaz, 38, of Yonkers, broke into a multi-family home on Crescent Lane in Cliffside Park around 1:50 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
All three were wearing dark-colored clothing and facemasks, and were outwardly displaying imitation police-style badges, portraying themselves as police officers, Musella said.
Once inside, the suspects fo…
Carjacker Who Attacked Officers On GWB Facing More Charges For Route 46 Incidents: Prosecutor
More charges have been filed against a 42-year-old Bronx, NY man accused of carjacking a vehicle after crashing a stolen car in Bergen County then attacking a police officer on the George Washington Bridge last weekend, authorities said.
Uvaldo Gonzalez, 42, has been charged with first-degree armed robbery, first-degree carjacking, third-degree receiving a stolen motor vehicle, third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose on Friday, Oct. 18, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
Those charges were filed in connection with the i…
NJ Apartment Association Bookkeeper Who Stole $357K Learns Prison Sentence
A former bookkeeper for the New Jersey Apartment Association has been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution for stealing $357,250 from the organization, authorities said.
Karly Simon-Sapp, 50, of Plumsted Township, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer to five years New Jersey State Prison and ordered to pay $357,520 in restitution, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. She previously had pleaded guilty to theft.
Between January 2016 and January 2022, Simon-Sapp, in her capacity as a bookkeeper for the New Jersey Apartment Association, forged the …
Paterson Burglar Apprehended In Wallington: Police
A 57-year-old Paterson resident who broke into a home in Wallington was arrested and charged on Thursday, Sept. 26, police said.
The first burglary occurred on Main Ave. on Thursday, Sept. 19, when the suspect, later identified as Leon Roberts, forcibly kicked in the front door of the home, Wallington police said in a release. While the homeowner did not report anything missing, the damage to the front door was $500, police said.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, police spotted Roberts in the City of Passaic, officers said. Roberts was wearing the same clothing from his break-in the previous wee…
