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…
Heroin Found On Unconscious Driver Found Slumped At Green Light In Morris County: Police Heroin Found On Unconscious Driver Found Slumped At Green Light In Morris County: Police
Heroin Found On Unconscious Driver Found Slumped At Green Light In Morris County: Police A 41-year-old Morristown man was arrested Wednesday night, Nov. 20, after police in Florham Park found him unconscious behind the wheel of a vehicle stopped at an intersection. Florham Park police responded to a 9-1-1 call just after 9:30 p.m., reporting a driver slumped over the steering wheel in a parked vehicle on the Park Ave Connector Road, authorities said. When Officer Kyle Kepler arrived, he found the truck parked across two lanes with the ignition still on. Passersby had also reported the concerning scene. Upon entering the vehicle, Kepler confirmed the driver was breathing and had…
Driver Hospitalized After Tractor Trailer Overturns On Route 287: NJSP Driver Hospitalized After Tractor Trailer Overturns On Route 287: NJSP
Driver Hospitalized After Tractor Trailer Overturns On Route 287: Njsp A driver was hospitalized after their tractor trailer overturned on Route 287 in Morris County on the early morning of Thursday, Nov. 21, authorities said. At 4:02 a.m., a tractor trailer driving on Route 287 North in Boonton Township veered off the roadway to the right, struck a guardrail and overturned, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said. The driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital, Lebron said. The crash remains under investigation, Lebron said.
Shelter In Place Lifted At FDU Florham Campus, Person With Gun Arrested: Authorities Shelter In Place Lifted At FDU Florham Campus, Person With Gun Arrested: Authorities
Shelter In Place Lifted At FDU Florham Campus, Person With Gun Arrested: Authorities A shelter in place was lifted at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Florham Campus on the early morning of Thursday, Nov. 21, the school said. On the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 20, Fairleigh Dickinson received a report of a person with a gun on campus, Joseph Vitiello, Director of Public Safety at the school said. Police were notified and a shelter in place was issued, Vitiello said. The order remained in effect for several hours as local police conducted a search for the individual, Vitiello said. After concluding that the individual was not on campus and not an immediate threat, police adv…
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…
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 f…
Byram Man Gets 13 Years After Violating Probation: Sussex County Prosecutor Byram Man Gets 13 Years After Violating Probation: Sussex County Prosecutor
Byram Man Gets 13 Years After Violating Probation: Sussex County Prosecutor A 55-year-old Byram Township man was sentenced to 13 years in state prison on Friday, Nov. 8, after admitting he violated his recovery court probation, authorities said. Steven Kristiansen will receive credit for almost four years already served, Sussex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said. Kristiansen had previously been sentenced to recovery court probation in connection with multiple counts of burglary and theft stemming from incidents in 2020 and 2021, Murray said. He admitted to violating the terms of his probation on Sunday, November 3, 2023, Murray said. Kristiansen's state prison …
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…
Brush Fire Shuts Route 80 In Morris County Brush Fire Shuts Route 80 In Morris County
Brush Fire Shuts Route 80 In Morris County All lanes of Route 80 were closed in Morris County on Tuesday, Nov. 19 due to a brush fire. The NJDOT site shows the highway was closed in both directions at Exit 30 in Mount Arlington as of 4:20 p.m. This is a developing story. Check back for more.
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…
Mysterious Drones Are Flying Over North Jersey: What We Know Mysterious Drones Are Flying Over North Jersey: What We Know
Mysterious Drones Are Flying Over North Jersey: What We Know Authorities in North Jersey are investigating reports of drone activity observed by law enforcement, they said on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The drones posed no known threat to public safety, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said. Following the announcement, residents in other areas reported seeing the drones. Residents are urged to stay cautious about misinformation online.  “We encourage the public to be mindful that what they read online may not be accurate,” officials said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact their local police department directly. …
Teacher Gets 10 Years After Recording Upskirt Photos Of Students: Sussex County Prosecutor Teacher Gets 10 Years After Recording Upskirt Photos Of Students: Sussex County Prosecutor
Teacher Gets 10 Years After Recording Upskirt Photos Of Students: Sussex County Prosecutor A 41-year-old Hopatcong teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday, Nov. 15, after pleading guilty to illegally recording upskirt photos of his female students, authorities said. Michael Wagner made the recordings while teaching at Pope John XXIII and Reverend Brown schools, Acting Sussex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, Chief of Detectives Thomas McCormick, and Sparta Police Chief Jeff McCarrick said. In October 2022, a teacher at Pope John in Sparta overhead several students talking about Wagner recording them during class, authorities said. A forensic examin…
Electric Vehicle Fire Unleashes Heavy Smoke: Raritan Township Fire Company Electric Vehicle Fire Unleashes Heavy Smoke: Raritan Township Fire Company
Electric Vehicle Fire Unleashes Heavy Smoke: Raritan Township Fire Company An electric vehicle fire sent plumes of smoke into the night sky on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 16 in Raritan Township, authorities said. Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire on Pasture Hill Court and found a working garage fire, with an electric vehicle on fire in the roadway, 15 feet from the residence and 10 feet from other vehicles, Raritan Township Fire Company said. Saturday evening RTFC was alerted to a reported brush fire near Ridgeview Ct. Quickly after dispatch another 911 caller... Posted by Raritan Township Fire Company on Monday, November 18, 2024 Upon disco…
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…
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…
Driver Hospitalized After Striking Trees On Route 287: NJSP Driver Hospitalized After Striking Trees On Route 287: NJSP
Driver Hospitalized After Striking Trees On Route 287: Njsp A driver was hospitalized after they struck several trees on Route 287 in Morris County on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 17, authorities said. At 4:52 a.m., a Honda Odyessy was traveling northbound on Route 287 in Montville Township when it lost directional control, veered off the right side of the roadway and struck trees, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said. The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital, Lebron said. The crash remains under investigation, Lebron said.
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…
NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse
NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse A 38-year-old Warren County man was charged on Wednesday, Oct. 23 for defrauding a 91-year-old man who loaned him money, after having settled the case in court, Daily Voice has learned. In May 2021, a 91-year-old Clarksburg resident loaned Asbury resident Christopher Sterlacci $400,000, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson and Hunterdon County Chief of Detectives Timothy Drew said. Several vehicles and properties were put up as collateral by Sterlacci for the loan, authorities said. After defaulting on the terms of the loan, it was discovered that the properties and vehi…
Jennings Creek Wildfire Update: Blaze Mostly Contained Week Later Jennings Creek Wildfire Update: Blaze Mostly Contained Week Later
Jennings Creek Wildfire Update: Blaze Mostly Contained Week Later After almost one whole week, the Jennings Creek Wildfire had been 75% contained on Thursday, Nov. 14, officials said. The wildfire continues to burn across Passaic County, NJ, and into Orange County, NY, with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and New York Department of Environmental Conservation leading containment efforts. The fire has burned 2,283 acres in New Jersey. While no structures are currently threatened or evacuated in New Jersey, residents are advised to avoid the area. Road closures remain in effect on East Shore Road from Awosting Road to Greenwood Lake Turnpike, as well as B…
North Jersey Soda Exec Confesses To Sharing Secret Formulas With Competitors, Feds Say North Jersey Soda Exec Confesses To Sharing Secret Formulas With Competitors, Feds Say
North Jersey Soda Exec Confesses To Sharing Secret Formulas With Competitors, Feds Say An executive from North Brunswick admitted to sharing secret soda formulas with his company's competitors, authorities said. Andrew Blum, 63, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 12 to conspiracy to possess stolen trade secrets and possession of stolen trade secrets, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release. Blum was the vice president of product development for an unnamed North Jersey-based maker of oil products and proprietary flavors from 2013 until Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. The parent corporation of Blum's company was one of the world’s largest produc…
NJ Gun Stores Sued For Selling Ammo To Unverified Buyers: AG NJ Gun Stores Sued For Selling Ammo To Unverified Buyers: AG
NJ Gun Stores Sued For Selling Ammo To Unverified Buyers: AG Gun stores in Cumberland and Morris counties have been sued by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin for selling ammunition to unverified buyers. Both Butch's Gun World in Vineland and Point Blank Guns Ammo and LLC in East Hanover both sold a 1,000-round case of AR-15 rifle ammunition for cash, Platkin said. “Keeping guns out of the wrong hands is a critical public safety priority," Platkin said. “The compliance requirements this law imposes are no different from the types of demands we place on other industries that create a hazard to human health, and we will enforce our law.” New …
NJ Ex-Con Charged In Deadly Attack Near Times Square NJ Ex-Con Charged In Deadly Attack Near Times Square
NJ Ex-Con Charged In Deadly Attack Near Times Square A New Jersey man recently released from prison has been arrested and charged with murder after a young Manhattan woman died from injuries sustained in an assault, according to the NYPD. Leslie Torres, 23, was walking on West 46th Street near 8th Avenue when she was attacked by Jaheem Warren, 33, of Prospect Park, on Tuesday, Oct. 29 around 1:35 p.m., according to NBC and the NYPD. Torres was left unconscious on the sidewalk in front of the Riu Plaza New York Times Square Hotel, NBC says. Torres, who lived on West 45th Street, was in critical condition when she arrived at Mount Sinai W…
Police Urge Residents Not To Call 911 Over Smoke From Jennings Creek Wildfire Police Urge Residents Not To Call 911 Over Smoke From Jennings Creek Wildfire
Police Urge Residents Not To Call 911 Over Smoke From Jennings Creek Wildfire The Jennings Creek Wildfire has burned more than 2,200 acres across Passaic County, NJ, and Orange County, NY, and shifting winds are blowing smoke into surrounding areas. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service, in collaboration with New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation, is leading efforts to bring the fire under control. As of Wednesday, Nov. 13, the fire spans 2,283 acres in New Jersey and is 30% contained. Two residential structures in New Jersey and eight historic structures in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District are under threat. No evacuations have been ordered at thi…
NJ Police Chief Helped Shoplifter While Suspended For Improper Database Use: Prosecutors NJ Police Chief Helped Shoplifter While Suspended For Improper Database Use: Prosecutors
NJ Police Chief Helped Shoplifter While Suspended For Improper Database Use: Prosecutors A New Jersey town's police chief was accused of improperly using law enforcement databases and helping someone shoplift, authorities said. Chief Peter Cooke Jr., 58, the chief in Englishtown, was charged with third-degree computer theft and third-degree conspiracy to commit shoplifting, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Investigators said Chief Cooke used a law enforcement database to look up information about two people without "any legitimate law enforcement purpose." The searches happened multiple times between February 2019…
NJ Teacher's Aide Slammed, Dragged Toddler At Montessori School: Prosecutor NJ Teacher's Aide Slammed, Dragged Toddler At Montessori School: Prosecutor
NJ Teacher's Aide Slammed, Dragged Toddler At Montessori School: Prosecutor A teacher’s aide at Apple Montessori School in Wayne has been charged with child abuse following an incident in which she allegedly assaulted a two-year-old in her care, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office announced.  Meghan Hornidge, 19, of River Edge, was charged with fourth-degree abuse of a child and simple assault, stemming from an investigation conducted by the Special Victims Unit, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. The investigation began on Aug. 13, 2024, when the Prosecutor’s Office received a report that Hornidge had reportedly slammed and dragged the …
West Milford Wildfire Swells To 3,500 Acres As Firefighters Battle Fierce Winds West Milford Wildfire Swells To 3,500 Acres As Firefighters Battle Fierce Winds
West Milford Wildfire Swells To 3,500 Acres As Firefighters Battle Fierce Winds The Jennings Creek Wildfire, now spanning 3,500 acres across Passaic County, NJ, and Orange County, NY, is only 20% contained, with strong winds and low humidity posing continued risks for rapid spread.  The New Jersey Forest Fire Service and New York’s Division of Forest Protection and Fire Management are working in unified command to strengthen containment lines in preparation for tomorrow’s forecasted weather. Firefighters focused efforts Tuesday, Nov. 12 on reinforcing the eastern containment line, using controlled burns to remove unburned pockets of fuel.  Resources deployed…