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West Milford, NJ

Air Quality Levels Improve, 3,000-Acre Wildfire Still Raging In West Milford Air Quality Levels Improve, 3,000-Acre Wildfire Still Raging In West Milford
Air Quality Levels Improve, 3,000-Acre Wildfire Still Raging In West Milford A sprawling wildfire, now covering 3,000 acres, continues to burn through West Milford Monday, Nov. 11, however, air quality levels across the region have improved. The Jennings Creek Wildfire threatens 24 structures across both New Jersey and New York, including two homes in New Jersey, eight historic buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District, and 14 structures on East Shore Road in Greenwood Lake, NY, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. As of the latest update, the fire is only 10% contained, prompting officials to close East Shore and Beech Roads, along with all tr…
2,500-Acre Jennings Creek Wildfire Continues To Burn, Cannonball 3 Wildfire Mostly Contained 2,500-Acre Jennings Creek Wildfire Continues To Burn, Cannonball 3 Wildfire Mostly Contained
2,500-Acre Jennings Creek Wildfire Continues To Burn, Cannonball 3 Wildfire Mostly Contained A massive wildfire spanning 2,500 acres is burning through West Milford, NJ, and into Orange County, NY, threatening homes and historic sites as firefighters battle to contain it.  Known as the Jennings Creek Wildfire, the blaze has put two residential buildings in New Jersey and 14 structures on East Shore Road in New York at risk, along with eight historic buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in the latest update Sunday morning, Nov. 10. Good Morning West Milford, Today Forest Fire will begin back burn operations in the …
Dangerous Air Quality Levels Reported, New 1,800-Acre Wildfire Burns In West Milford Dangerous Air Quality Levels Reported, New 1,800-Acre Wildfire Burns In West Milford
Dangerous Air Quality Levels Reported, New 1,800-Acre Wildfire Burns In West Milford Three active wildfires in New Jersey are keeping firefighters busy this weekend as the air quality continues to worsen. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is working to contain fires in West Milford, Pompton Lakes, and Englewood Cliffs (scroll for details on each one). AirNow.gov shows an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 171, or unhealthy, across North Jersey, as of 7:30 p.m., caused by the smoke that blanketed the region. Click here to see an active AQI map or click here to check your town's AQI. Prolonged dry conditions, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong winds have contribut…
NJ High School Wrestler Seriously Injured In ATV Crash Facing Long Road To Recovery: Campaign NJ High School Wrestler Seriously Injured In ATV Crash Facing Long Road To Recovery: Campaign
NJ High School Wrestler Seriously Injured In ATV Crash Facing Long Road To Recovery: Campaign A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for one of two West Milford teenage boys seriously injured in an ATV crash on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Brandon Mroziuk was identified as one of the two boys in a Polaris Sportsman 850 that crossed a center line on Highlander Drive and collided with a 2013 Chevy Malibu. Mroziuk and the other boy in the ATV were both airlifted to St. Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson. The campaign says Brandon underwent surgery and faces a long road to recovery. " Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference and show Brandon and his f…
Two Teen ATV Riders Airlifted After Crossing Center Line In NJ Crash: Police Two Teen ATV Riders Airlifted After Crossing Center Line In NJ Crash: Police
Two Teen ATV Riders Airlifted After Crossing Center Line In NJ Crash: Police Two teenagers were airlifted with serious injuries in a North Jersey crash with an SUV on Tuesday, Oct. 8, police said. The 14-year-old and 15-year-old boys were in a Polaris Sportsman 850 heading north on Highlander Drive in West Milford, when they crossed the center line into the opposite lane of travel around 4 p.m., Lt. Eric Darnsteadt said. The ATV was struck by a 2013 Chevy Malibu, driven by an 18-year-old man, who was unable to avoid the vehicle, police said. Both vehicles left the roadway and the ATV riders were ejected from the ATV.  West Milford officers arriving o…
Video Shows Rescue In Cliff-Diving Gone Wrong In Passaic County Video Shows Rescue In Cliff-Diving Gone Wrong In Passaic County
Video Shows Rescue In Cliff-Diving Gone Wrong In Passaic County The New Jersey State Police Department has released video footage of an aerial rescue of a cliff-diver who suffered serious injuries in a West Milford accident. The NJSP's aviation unit and TEAMS unit, a special operations unit, responded to an area of West Milford Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 28, for a diver who was seriously injured in rugged terrain. Pilots, hoist operators, and rescuers "undertook a complex and high-risk extraction," NJSP says.  Video shows troopers locating the victim from the air, packaging him into a stokes basket, and then hoisting him up. "Facing challenging weat…
Former Bridgwater Officer, West Milford Special Officer Thomas Dinan Dies Former Bridgwater Officer, West Milford Special Officer Thomas Dinan Dies
Former Bridgwater Officer, West Milford Special Officer Thomas Dinan Dies Thomas Dinan, a police officer in West Milford, died on Tuesday, July 30, 10 days after his 66th birthday, the department announced. Dinan joined the West Milford Police Department in June 2018 as a Class II special officer, assisting with traffic details, township events, prisoner watches and transports and court security, police said. Prior to joining West Milford, Dinan spent 27 years in the Bridgewater Police Department, rising to the rank of lieutenant, before retiring in 2015 after serving as patrol officer, narcotics investigator, bias crimes officer and counterterrorism liaison, pol…
Power Outage Update: Storm Leaves Hundreds Of NJ Residents In The Dark Power Outage Update: Storm Leaves Hundreds Of NJ Residents In The Dark
Power Outage Update: Storm Leaves Hundreds Of NJ Residents In The Dark A storm system that swept through the region Saturday afternoon, Aug. 3 left hundreds of North Jersey residents without power. As of 5:40 p.m., about 950 PSE&G customers in Hackensack did not have power, its website shows. In Closter, 145 Orange & Rockland customers were in the dark. In West Milford, more than 500 residents did not have power. Most of those customers were JCP&L. The storms, which brought temps down to the high-70s, had subsided as of press time.
Man Smashing Windshields At Wayne Diner With Rocks Spits On 3 Arresting Officers: Cops Man Smashing Windshields At Wayne Diner With Rocks Spits On 3 Arresting Officers: Cops
Man Smashing Windshields At Wayne Diner With Rocks Spits On 3 Arresting Officers: Cops A 27-year-old West Milford man was arrested for throwing rocks and smashing windows of parked cars at a Wayne diner, including a police car, and spit on arresting officers, authorities said. Evan R. Gonzalez was found walking along Hamburg Turnpike by Wayne officers responding to Park Wayne Diner around 6:40 p.m. Saturday, July 13, Capt. Dan Daly said.  Gonzalez had been throwing rocks through windshields of parked cars in the business lots, and went into the diner where he threw items out before leaving, Daly said. Officers stopped traffic in both directions and approached Gonzalez, …
AGAIN: Big Purple Bud Bus Guy, Woman Arrested After Series Of Raids Across NJ, NY, Cops Say AGAIN: Big Purple Bud Bus Guy, Woman Arrested After Series Of Raids Across NJ, NY, Cops Say
Again: Big Purple Bud Bus Guy, Woman Arrested After Series Of Raids Across NJ, NY, Cops Say The New York owner of a popular cannabis company known for its fleet of purple buses and vans was taken into custody, as was a woman, on Wednesday, July 10, following a series of raids across New Jersey and New York, authorities said. Searches on Bill Schlette’s Bud Bus Inc. locations Hewitt, Manahawkin, Keyport, and West Nyack, NY turned up $200,000 in cash, according to West Milford Police Capt. Parrello. Back in May, West Milford police executed search warrants at five Bud Bus locations in town where 150 pounds of marijuana were seized, along with $11,000 in cash, police said. A warrant …
Teen Struck By Boat Propeller Airlifted After Saved By Off-Duty Officer On Greenwood Lake Teen Struck By Boat Propeller Airlifted After Saved By Off-Duty Officer On Greenwood Lake
Teen Struck By Boat Propeller Airlifted After Saved By Off-Duty Officer On Greenwood Lake An off-duty police officer came to the aid of an 18-year-old man who was struck by a boat propeller on Greenwood Lake last month. Vernon Cpl. Steve Rovetto was on the lake in West Milford when he saw that the man had been struck around 6 p.m. June 20, and called 9-1-1, West Milford Police Capt. Parrello said. Rovetto went over to the victim, improvised a tourniquet out of rope, and then accompanied him by boat to the South Shore Marina. At the marina, they were met by West Milford Sgt. Bregman who applied a tourniquet and requested a medical helicopter due to the seriousness of the injury.…
UPDATE: 2 Girls Airlifted After Tree Limb Smashes Through Tour Bus At NJ/NY State Line UPDATE: 2 Girls Airlifted After Tree Limb Smashes Through Tour Bus At NJ/NY State Line
Update: 2 Girls Airlifted After Tree Limb Smashes Through Tour Bus At NJ/NY State Line 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Two teens were airlifted to New Jersey trauma centers after a charter bus filled with girls from a Brooklyn yeshiva crashed into a tree Tuesday afternoon barely a quarter mile from the New York State line. West Milford firefighters extricated the two critically injured victims following the 3:16 p.m. June 4 crash on East Shore Road alongside Greenwood Lake in Hewitt, responders at the scene told Daily Voice. Greenwood Lake Airport (NJ), five miles down the road, was used as the medevac landing zone, they said. One girl was flown to the trauma center at Hackensack University Me…
'Music Is Our Lifeblood:' Married Couple Bring Record Store, Intimate Venue To North Jersey 'Music Is Our Lifeblood:' Married Couple Bring Record Store, Intimate Venue To North Jersey
'Music Is Our Lifeblood:' Married Couple Bring Record Store, Intimate Venue To North Jersey Music lovers in Morris County will have a place to call home, thanks to a husband and wife. On a recent trip to Boonton Coffee, Shane and Michele Murphy noticed a vacant storefront at 520A Main St. The West Milford couple knew immediately how to use it. Shane, a U.S. Army veteran, and Michele will soon be opening Hidden Tracks Records, a music store and intimate music venue. The grand opening will be held on Saturday, June 1. Click here for tickets. The store, named after Shane's podcast, HiddenTracks, will feature new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes, stereo and record equ…
Fast-Moving Storm Knocks Power To Thousands Across North Jersey Fast-Moving Storm Knocks Power To Thousands Across North Jersey
Fast-Moving Storm Knocks Power To Thousands Across North Jersey A fast-moving round of thunderstorm knocked power to thousands of New Jersey residents Thursday morning, May 23. PSEG was reporting approximately 2,000 outages in Bergen County (1,156 in New Milford, 398 in Paramus); 2,341 in Essex County (983 in Caldwell, 448 in West Caldwell); 1,230 in Gloucester County (1,206 in Woodbury City). JCP&L was reporting approximately 1,300 in Franklin Township, where a downed tree closed Route 57. JCP&L also said 1,000 residents in Lebanon were in the dark, as were 1,000 in Bethlehem. Knowlton, Hope, Liberty, and Independence …
Big Purple NJ 'Bud Bus' Owner Arrested For Money Laundering, Deceptive Biz Practices: Cops Big Purple NJ 'Bud Bus' Owner Arrested For Money Laundering, Deceptive Biz Practices: Cops
Big Purple NJ 'Bud Bus' Owner Arrested For Money Laundering, Deceptive Biz Practices: Cops A 46-year-old Rockland County, NY man has been arrested for illegally selling marijuana out of a big purple van in New Jersey, authorities said. Bud Bus Inc. Founder William Schlette, of West Nyack, was charged with deceptive business practices, money laundering, and drug offenses, according to Warren County Prosecutor Anthony Picone. Two search warrants on Schlette's Bud Bus Inc, a van parked at 1077 State Highway 94 in Frelinghuysen Township, on March 7, culminated in the seizure of $1,900, a Ram Promaster van, a 2024 Loom trailer, suspected raw marijuana, and suspected cannabinoid i…
'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…
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…
These North Jersey Towns Got The Most Snow These North Jersey Towns Got The Most Snow
These North Jersey Towns Got The Most Snow New Jersey residents are digging out of this week's snow storm — the worst of the season so far. According to the National Weather Service, the storm left 15 inches in the northern-most part of the state, canceling schools across the region. Here are the towns who got the most snow in the Tuesday, Feb. 13 storm, according to the National Weather Service. BERGEN River Vale: 9.8 inches Franklin Lakes: 9.1 Waldwick: 9.0 Bergenfield: 8.1 Mahwah: 8.0 Fair Lawn: 7.0 Lyndhurst: 6.5 HUDSON Harrison: 5.5 East Newark: 5.0 SW Hoboken: 4.8 MORRIS Green Pond/Randolph: 11.5 Denville: 10.2 Kinnelon…
Delayed Opening For These NJ Districts Where Heavy Snow Fell Delayed Opening For These NJ Districts Where Heavy Snow Fell
Snow Delay In New Jersey The New Jersey school district in the town that got the most snow in the state over the weekend, and some in those around it, will operate on a delayed schedule Monday, Jan. 8. "All Sussex-Wantage Regional Schools will have a 90 minute delayed opening tomorrow Monday January 8th," the district announced on its website. "Morning care is closed. Use emergency snow bus stops if assigned one both morning and afternoon." Parts of Wantage saw 12 or 13 inches of snow over the weekend, according to local weather observers and the National Weather Service. Other area districts are also on a delayed…
SURPRISE! Fleeing Wrong-Way Driver Is Found, Jailed After Aiming At Officers:  Mahwah PD SURPRISE! Fleeing Wrong-Way Driver Is Found, Jailed After Aiming At Officers:  Mahwah PD
Surprise! Fleeing Wrong-Way Driver Is Found, Jailed After Aiming At Officers: Mahwah PD Mahwah police broke off the brief pursuit of a speeding, wrong-way driver who’d gunned his car straight at two officers on Friday for two sound and simple reasons. For one thing, there was a significant public safety risk, it being the middle of the afternoon of a holiday weekend, they said. For another: Turns out the guy works in town. It wasn’t long after the incident on Franklin Turnpike on Friday, Dec. 29 that police said they found and arrested 21-year-old Danny Hamlin of West Milford at his warehouse job. Lt. Michael Blondin and Officer Brian Doolittle were directing traffic a…
Bloods Leader, Passaic County Man Busted with 28 Lbs Of Coke, 500 Lbs Of Pot At Teterboro: FBI Bloods Leader, Passaic County Man Busted with 28 Lbs Of Coke, 500 Lbs Of Pot At Teterboro: FBI
Bloods Leader, Passaic County Man Busted with 28 Lbs Of Coke, 500 Lbs Of Pot At Teterboro: FBI A high-ranking member of the Bloods with longstanding mob ties and a Passaic County man with a criminal history of his own were seized when they tried to fly to London out of Teterboro Airport with 28 pounds of cocaine and 500 pounds of pot on a private jet, federal authorities said. Leonardo Petrosillo, 45, of West Milford, and Edwin Spears, 49, of Newark brought three companions -- Spears’s girlfriend, an exotic dancer from Maryland and a friend of hers -- as a front for a dozen drug-stuffed bags of luggage, they said. The plane was to fly it all to John Lennon Airport in London, accordin…
Rite Aid To Close 12 New Jersey Stores After Filing For Bankruptcy Rite Aid To Close 12 New Jersey Stores After Filing For Bankruptcy
Rite Aid To Close 12 New Jersey Stores After Filing For Bankruptcy Rite Aid, the pharmacy giant that filed for bankruptcy on Sunday, Oct. 15, plans to close 154 underperforming stores nationwide, according to a new filing.  A dozen of the stores closing are located in New Jersey. They are: 431 Haledon Avenue in Haledon 35 Mill Road in Irvington 1636 Route 38 Suite 49 in Lumberton 210 Bridgeton Pike in Mantua 108 Swedesboro Road Suite 20 in Mullica Hill 2370 Route 33 in Robbinsville 773 Hamilton Street in Somerset 4057 Asbury Avenue Suite 8 in Tinton Falls 1726 Route 37 in East Toms River 3 Marshall Hill Road in West Milford 1434 South Black …
Propane To Blame In NJ House Explosion That Injured 5, One Critically, Fire Marshal Says Propane To Blame In NJ House Explosion That Injured 5, One Critically, Fire Marshal Says
Propane To Blame In NJ House Explosion That Injured 5, One Critically, Fire Marshal Says UPDATE: A house explosion last month in West Milford that sent five people to the hospital – one of whom remains in critical condition – apparently was due to a propane leak, the township’s fire marshal said. The other four victims injured when the home in the Upper Greenwood Lake section exploded and collapsed on Sept. 22 have since been released from the hospital, Fire Marshal Michael Moscatello said on Friday, Oct. 13. The fifth remains in the burn unit at the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, he said. Everyone feared the worst at the time. The first unit at the scene, …
NJ House Explosion: Search-And-Rescue Operation Saves Family Members, Friends (UPDATE) NJ House Explosion: Search-And-Rescue Operation Saves Family Members, Friends (UPDATE)
NJ House Explosion: Search-And-Rescue Operation Saves Family Members, Friends (Update) HEROES: Everyone feared the worst. Yet if there’s a silver lining to be found in a devastating house explosion in West Milford on Friday, it’s that rescuers got those involved out alive. That includes a victim who was trapped for nearly an hour as firefighters tunneled their way into the leveled single-story ranch house. Five of those injured were airlifted to area hospitals following the dramatic search and rescue operation. A sixth declined further medical attention at the scene. Investigations continued combing through the wreckage well past daybreak as they try to determine what cause…
West Milford PD: Garfield Driver, 19, Whose Car Snapped Pole, Downed Wires Was DWI West Milford PD: Garfield Driver, 19, Whose Car Snapped Pole, Downed Wires Was DWI
West Milford PD: Garfield Driver, 19, Whose Car Snapped Pole, Downed Wires Was DWI A 19-year-old driver from Garfield was intoxicated when her car slammed into a utility pole, slid down an embankment and landed on its side in West Milford, authorities said. Officers who responded to the reported crash on Westbrook Road near Snake Den Road on Aug. 5 found a snapped utility pole and downed power lines, West Milford police said in a release on Tuesday, Sept. 5. They also found Jessica Szewczyk next to her blue 2022 Subaru WRX, which landed on its passenger side, according to the release. Szewczyk “displayed signs of being under the influence of an alcoholic beverage,” the r…
West Milford Man, 32, Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor In Front Of Other Children West Milford Man, 32, Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor In Front Of Other Children
West Milford Man, 32, Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor In Front Of Other Children A 32-year-old West Milford man was charged with sexually abusing a child in the presence of two other youngsters. Michael Lemus was arrested without incident on Monday, Aug. 14, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. It followed an investigation that began after West Milford police notified her Special Victims Unit in June, right after the alleged assault occurred at a residence in town, the prosecutor said. Lemus, who most recently worked for a cargo and freight trucking company, remained held Wednesday in the Bergen County Jail. He's charged with two counts of sexual assault …
Police: West Milford Driver Was DWI When She Slammed Into SUV Driven By Sparta Man, 71 Police: West Milford Driver Was DWI When She Slammed Into SUV Driven By Sparta Man, 71
Police: West Milford Driver Was DWI When She Slammed Into SUV Driven By Sparta Man, 71 A driver was drunk when her sedan crossed a double-yellow line and slammed head-on into an SUV, seriously injuring herself and the other driver, on a road along Greenwood Lake in West Milford, authorities announced on Wednesday. Jessica Lima, 38, of West Milford was airlifted to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson following the late Saturday afternoon crash on Lakeside Road on June 10, township police Lt. Anthony Parrello said. The other driver, 71-year-old David Thierman of Sparta, was taken to St. Joe’s by ambulance, the lieutenant disclosed on July 12. Lima’s 2006 T…
Unconscious Teen Pulled From Greenwood Lake, Airlifted To Hospital Unconscious Teen Pulled From Greenwood Lake, Airlifted To Hospital
Unconscious Teen Pulled From Greenwood Lake, Airlifted To Hospital A young college student was airlifted to the hospital after he was seriously injured in Greenwood Lake over the weekend, authorities said. West Milford police responding to the noon call found Yilin Choi, 18, of Bellevue, Washington, unconscious but breathing on the dock at Lake Park Terrace on Saturday, Detective Sgt. Matthew Kloo said. Choi, who attends NYU, apparently was unfamiliar with the area. He dove into shallow water and didn’t resurface, according to Kloo. West Milford police and EMS tended to Choi, who was taken by ambulance to Greenwood Lake Airport, the sergeant said. Atlant…
It’s Over: Burglars Who Stole $1M In World Series Rings, More From Berra Museum Busted By Feds It’s Over: Burglars Who Stole $1M In World Series Rings, More From Berra Museum Busted By Feds
It’s Over: Burglars Who Stole $1M In World Series Rings, More From Berra Museum Busted By Feds The local cops suspected it was an inside job, but federal authorities on Thursday said otherwise. It seems the burglars who broke into the Yogi Berra Museum at Montclair State University nearly a decade ago and stole several of his World Series rings, two of his MVP plaques and the glove the Yankee legend used to catch Don Larsen’s perfect game were actually part of a multi-state ring. Eight people in all were charged with a series of heists of priceless artwork and one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia from museums and cultural centers in several states and Washington, D.C. from 1999 through …
Rider, 69, Airlifted After Falling From Horse In West Milford Rider, 69, Airlifted After Falling From Horse In West Milford
Rider, 69, Airlifted After Falling From Horse In West Milford A 69-year-old rider from Hawthorne was airlifted to the hospital after falling off a horse in West Milford, authorities said. The victim was conscious but disoriented and had several small cuts on his face following the mishap at the Echo Lake Stables on Blakely Lane, off Route 23, shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3, Police Detective Sgt. Matthew Kloo said. West Milford First Aid and Atlantic Medics tended to the victim before bringing him to a nearby field, the sergeant said. West Milford firefighters secured the landing zone for AirMed One, which transported him to Hackensack Univers…
Former West Milford HS Athlete, Honor Student Charged After Police Drug Raid Former West Milford HS Athlete, Honor Student Charged After Police Drug Raid
Former West Milford HS Athlete, Honor Student Charged After Police Drug Raid A former high school honor student and basketball player was busted on drug charges after West Milford police raided his home, authorities said. Shaan Celik, 20, had psilocybin mushrooms, THC vape cartridges, pot edibles and marijuana for sale at the Otterhole Road residence, Police Chief James DeVore said. Police also found packaging materials and an undisclosed amount of suspected proceeds from drug sales, DeVore said. Detectives worked the case for several months before the 9 a.m. May 15 raid, the chief said. Another man who was in another bedroom was released without charges, he said.…