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$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…
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 …
80-Year-Old Serial Burglar Busted At NJ Shopping Center: Police
An 80-year-old car burglar was arrested and charged on Friday, Feb. 14 breaking into vehicles at a shopping center in Budd Lake, authorities said.
At 5:29 p.m., officers responded to the back of the Mall at Wild Geese Shopping Center for the report of a male attempting to enter parked vehicles, Mount Olive police said. Officers observed Ceir Coral and realized he matched to description of a suspect in at least two additional incidents of burglary and theft, police said.
On Friday, Jan. 31, Tuesday, Feb. 11, and Friday, February 14, Coral had entered parked vehicles and s…
$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.
Man Harassed Candy Store, Stole $90: Denville PD
A 26-year-old Vineland man was arrested and charged on Thursday, Jan. 2, after he was harassing employees at a candy store in Denville, authorities said.
At 11:35 a.m. officers responded to Sweet Expressions by Geri at 26 Broadway on a report of a man, Markeese Brazelis, bothering staff and acting unruly, Denville police said. Brazelis had entered the staff area and stole $90 in cash, police said.
Brazelis was located walking in the center of town and ultimately placed under arrest for the theft of the cash, police said. He was charged with theft by unlawful taking, police said.
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.
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…
NJ Felon Suspected Serial Burglar Wanted In PA
A suspect with a history of burglary-related offenses is wanted in connection with recent residential break-ins, police in Pennsylvania announced on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Erik Gomez, 39, originally from Flemington, NJ, and most recently from Levittown, PA, in connection with a series of residential burglaries in Lower Merion and Media Borough, police said.
The first reported incident occurred at 9:06 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, in the 1100 block of Maplecrest Circle in Gladwyne, Lower Merion Township. Surveillance footage captured a man entering and exiting …
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…
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…
Man Arrested Twice In 13 Days In Mansfield Township: Police
A man was arrested twice in 13 days last month in Mansfield Township for theft, authorities said.
On Thursday, Aug. 15 at 11:53 a.m., police responded to a BP gas station on Route 57 after a man, Leiner Mera, stole money from the cash register, Mansfield Township police said in a release. Video provided to officers showed Mera leaning over the counter and removing $135 from the lottery register, police said.
Mera was charged with theft, police said
On Monday, Aug. 28, Mera was busted again after he walked into Donaldson Farms, pushed an employee against the wall and removed $2,142 fr…
