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Andover Township, NJ

Mexican Restaurant Catches On Fire: Andover Township PD Mexican Restaurant Catches On Fire: Andover Township PD
Mexican Restaurant Catches On Fire: Andover Township PD A Mexican restaurant went up in flames on the early morning of Monday, Nov. 4 in Andover Township, authorities said. At 4 a.m., first responders in Andover Township received multiple calls reporting an active fire at Little Mexico Restaurant at 287 Newton-Sparta Road, Andover Township police said. Newton-Sparta Road was closed for four hours due to the active fire scene, police said. Two other tenants were set to open businesses at the site before the fire, police said. The fire is under investigation by the Andover Township Police Department, Sussex County Fire Marshal and Sussex County P…
Man Arrested After Fleeing Traffic Stop: Franklin Borough Police Man Arrested After Fleeing Traffic Stop: Franklin Borough Police
Man Arrested After Fleeing Traffic Stop: Franklin Borough Police A 41-year-old Branchville resident was arrested on Saturday, July 6, after he fled a traffic stop in Franklin Borough, authorities said. While officers were initially approaching his vehicle, Shaun Cancelliere drove away and managed to elude law enforcement, Franklin Borough police said in a release. Nearby agencies were notified to be on the lookout for Cancelliere and he was located by the Andover Township Police Department, officers said. Cancelliere was charged with eluding and disorderly conduct, police said. He was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending an appearanc…
Resident, 64, Dies In House Fire Above Lake Hopatcong Resident, 64, Dies In House Fire Above Lake Hopatcong
Resident, 64, Dies In House Fire Above Lake Hopatcong A 64-year-old man died in an overnight fire in a home overlooking Lake Hopatcong, authorities said. Firefighters discovered the body of Robert Powers after a pair of borough police officers braved the flames at 303 Lakeside Avenue, which were engulfing the house when they arrived shortly before 12:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26, borough police said in a statement. Both officers had to be treated for smoke inhalation, police said. The fire apparently ignited in the rear of the more than100-year-old, two-story wood-frame house, responders said. Borough firefighters expressed their gratitude to the…
Manslaughter Charges For Trio In Death Of 1-Year-Old Found In Sussex County Home (UPDATE) Manslaughter Charges For Trio In Death Of 1-Year-Old Found In Sussex County Home (UPDATE)
Manslaughter Charges For Trio In Death Of 1-Year-Old Found In Sussex County Home (Update) The three suspects charged with child endangerment in connection with a one-year-old who was found dead in a drug-filled Sussex County home last week are now facing offenses for reckless manslaughter, authorities announced. Andover Township residents Stephen M. Dagis, 52, Julie Taylor, 48, and Sarah Vanderbilt, 34, were charged with second-degree reckless manslaughter on Tuesday, August 29, police said in a Wednesday release. The investigation began around 10:15 a.m. on Friday, August 20, when the Andover Police Department received a call reporting a deceased child at a home on Lake Iliff R…
Unexpected Death Of 7-Year-Old Boy Leaves Broken Hearts In Sussex County Unexpected Death Of 7-Year-Old Boy Leaves Broken Hearts In Sussex County
Unexpected Death Of 7-Year-Old Boy Leaves Broken Hearts In Sussex County Sussex County is in mourning after the unexpected death of a beloved 7-year-old boy. Jaxon Smith died Monday, July 3 at his home in Andover Township, according to a GoFundMe launched by a loved one. “…an unimaginable tragedy struck Jesse (and his wife, Karen) Smith in the early morning hours as, he found his son, Jax (Jaxon) lifeless in his bed,” reads the campaign. “At only 7 years old, Jax left this world and his heartbroken family behind.” Forever known for his larger-than-life personality and infinitely kindhearted soul, Jax was a “beast on the wrestling mat and in the soccer field.” …
Services Set For Former Police Officer, 2 Kids Killed In Sussex County Crash Services Set For Former Police Officer, 2 Kids Killed In Sussex County Crash
Services Set For Former Police Officer, 2 Kids Killed In Sussex County Crash Funeral services have been set for the former police officer and his two children who were killed in a devastating Sussex County crash last week. Thirty-six-year-old Andrew “Andy” Benavente, his 13-year-old son, Andrew “AJ” Jr., and 5-year-old daughter, Madelyn, died after a Jeep crossed over the double yellow lines on Newton-Sparta Road in Andover Township, striking their Ford Ranger pickup around 4 p.m. on Friday, May 26, Daily Voice reported. A GoFundMe for Digna Melendez-Benavente — Andy’s fiancée and loving mom to AJ and Madelyn — was launched by Edwin Melendez shortly afterward and h…
Dad, Kids Killed In Sussex County Crash Caused By 22-Year-Old Driver: Police Dad, Kids Killed In Sussex County Crash Caused By 22-Year-Old Driver: Police
Dad, Kids Killed In Sussex County Crash Caused By 22-Year-Old Driver: Police Shock and sadness spread Memorial Day Weekend following a crash that killed four people, including a father and his two children struck by a wrong-way driver in Sussex County. Bruce Cseh, 22, of Blairstown, was behind the wheel of a 2021 Jeep Rubicon heading west crossed over the double yellow lines on Newton-Sparta Road around 4 p.m. in Andover Township on Friday, May 26, local police said. Cseh struck a 2011 Ford Ranger pickup, driven by Andrew Benavente, 36 of Newton. Benavente's truck erupted in flames which became too intense for firefighters. As a result, the dad, his 13-year-old son,…
Four Dead In Fiery North Jersey Crash Four Dead In Fiery North Jersey Crash
Four Dead In Fiery North Jersey Crash Police have identified a father and his two children as three of the four people who died in a Sussex County crash Friday, May 26. Click here for details, or read on for the original news report. A 2021 Jeep Rubicon heading west crossed over the double yellow lines, striking a 2001 Ford Ranger pickup head-on around 4 p.m., on Newton-Sparta Road east of Limecrest Road, in Andover Township near the Sparta line, local police said. The Ford Ranger pickup erupted in flames with three occupants entrapped. First responders used fire extinguishers and attempted life-saving measures but t…
2 Cops Hospitalized For Smoke Inhalation Following Deadly Sussex County Crash 2 Cops Hospitalized For Smoke Inhalation Following Deadly Sussex County Crash
2 Cops Hospitalized For Smoke Inhalation Following Deadly Sussex County Crash Two police officers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation after freeing a trapped driver during a fiery and fatal crash in Sussex County over the weekend, authorities said. The crash occurred near the intersection of Stickles Pond Road and Yates Avenue in Andover Township around 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, local police said. A vehicle veered off the road and into the woods before bursting into flames, trapping the driver inside. Two police officers broke the windows of the flaming vehicle and unlocked the door with help from two bystanders to rescue the trapped occupant before medical…
Drugged Driver Charged After Barely Avoiding Deadly Crash In Sussex County, Police Say Drugged Driver Charged After Barely Avoiding Deadly Crash In Sussex County, Police Say
Drugged Driver Charged After Barely Avoiding Deadly Crash In Sussex County, Police Say An allegedly drugged driver was charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault and DWI after barely avoiding a deadly crash, authorities said. Officers attempted to stop a Kia Forte being driven erratically south on Sparta Avenue in Sparta around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, Police Lt. John Lamon said in a release on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The driver, Christopher Morales, 43, of North Bergen, stopped abruptly in the middle of the road before he allegedly continued on Sparta Avenue. Morales then approached Andover Road, where two Sparta Police officers were directing traffic from an earl…
KNOW ANYTHING? Massive Load Of Concrete Debris Dumped Near Rt. 206 In Sussex County, Police Say KNOW ANYTHING? Massive Load Of Concrete Debris Dumped Near Rt. 206 In Sussex County, Police Say
Know Anything? Massive Load Of Concrete Debris Dumped Near Rt. 206 In Sussex County, Police Say Police are seeking the public’s help tracking down the person who dumped a massive load of concrete debris near Route 206 in Sussex County. The load was dumped on the shoulder of Brighton Road near Route 206 in Andover Township, local police said in a Sunday afternoon release. The load appears to consist of “old portions of a wall or facade with a distinct stamped pattern,” police said. Click here to view additional photos. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Andover Township Police Department at (973) 383-5544.
Morris County Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Girls In Motel Room, Police Say Morris County Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Girls In Motel Room, Police Say
Morris County Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Girls In Motel Room, Police Say A Morris County man is facing several charges after he allegedly sexually assaulted two girls at a motel room. Jose Rivera-Lobos, 30, was arrested on Sunday, Feb. 6 after an investigation showed that he assaulted two victims who were with him at an Econolodge motel, Andover Township Police said in a Friday release. Lobos, of Dover, was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of children, police said. Lobos was being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges w…
Beloved Sussex County HS Senior, Aspiring Chef Kyle Porzuelo Dies After Leukemia Battle, 18 Beloved Sussex County HS Senior, Aspiring Chef Kyle Porzuelo Dies After Leukemia Battle, 18
Beloved Sussex County HS Senior, Aspiring Chef Kyle Porzuelo Dies After Leukemia Battle, 18 Beloved Sussex County high school senior and aspiring chef Henri 'Kyle' Porzuelo died at Morristown Medical Center on Monday, Feb. 7 after a valiant battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was 18. Born in Newton, Porzuelo grew up in Andover Township, his obituary says. Porzuelo was months away from finishing his senior year at Newton High School. He was an aspiring chef planning to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. Porzuelo was also known for his love of music, theatre, and the arts. “He enjoyed singing, dancing, drawing, playing video games, and making people laugh,”…
Beloved Sussex County Addiction Recovery Advocate Connor Bubigkeit Dies After Own Battle At 30 Beloved Sussex County Addiction Recovery Advocate Connor Bubigkeit Dies After Own Battle At 30
Beloved Sussex County Addiction Recovery Advocate Connor Bubigkeit Dies After Own Battle At 30 Beloved Sussex County native and addiction recovery advocate Connor Matthew Bubigkeit died following his own long battle on Dec. 2 at the age of 30. Born in Port Jervis, NY, Bubigkeit lived in Montague before settling in Andover Township last year, his obituary says. Bubigkeit graduated from Port Jervis High School in 2010 and went on to attend Penn State University, his memorial says. Bubigkeit worked as a conduction with Conrail of Camden and loved playing sports, especially golf, in his free time. Bubigkeit was also remembered for his passion for helping others through their own addict…
Not So Sweet: Tractor-Trailer Carrying 40,000 Pounds Of Sugar Overturns In Sussex County Not So Sweet: Tractor-Trailer Carrying 40,000 Pounds Of Sugar Overturns In Sussex County
Not So Sweet: Tractor-Trailer Carrying 40,000 Pounds Of Sugar Overturns In Sussex County Emergency crews made a not-so-sweet discovery Thursday evening when they rushed to the scene of a Sussex County crash and found an overturned tractor-trailer loaded with 40,000 pounds of sugar. The trailer overturned and went down an embankment on Limecrest Road in Andover Township around 4:40 p.m., the local police department said. A detour was put into place as heavy duty wreckers from three companies were called to the scene to help upright the tractor-trailer due its size and embankment angle, police said. No injuries were reported, and the road was reopened by 9:20 p.m., the township…
Sussex County Man, 42, Airlifted In Head-On Crash With Tractor-Trailer On Route 206 Sussex County Man, 42, Airlifted In Head-On Crash With Tractor-Trailer On Route 206
Sussex County Man, 42, Airlifted In Head-On Crash With Tractor-Trailer On Route 206 A 42-year-old Sussex County man was airlifted with serious injuries after crashing head-on into a tractor-trailer on Route 206 Wednesday afternoon, police confirmed. Christopher A. Morales, of Newton, was driving southbound on Route 206 in a 2008 Jeep Patriot when he veered into the northbound lanes and crashed head-on into a 2013 Peterbilt tractor-trailer near the intersection of Brighton Road around 3:50 p.m., Andover Township police said. Morales was treated at the scene for head and leg injuries by Lakeland EMS and St. Clare's ALS before being airlifted to Morristown Medical Center via …
Here’s How Many Sussex County Residents Lost Power Due To Damage From Hurricane Ida Remnants Here’s How Many Sussex County Residents Lost Power Due To Damage From Hurricane Ida Remnants
Here’s How Many Sussex County Residents Lost Power Due To Damage From Hurricane Ida Remnants Thousands of people in Sussex County and across New Jersey are without power after the remnants of Hurricane Ida blasted through the region late Wednesday into early Thursday. Police urge residents to keep their distance from downed wires and report storm damage to 911 as JCP&L works to repair outages and other power-related storm impacts. The company evaluates damages in the first 24 hours and then restores the largest number of customers affected on an outage order. Scroll down to view the number of customers in each town who are experiencing outages, according to Sparta Police: S…
Man In $1M Meth Lab Bust, Pal Put Dead Body Under NJ Family's Doghouse, Police Say Man In $1M Meth Lab Bust, Pal Put Dead Body Under NJ Family's Doghouse, Police Say
Man In $1M Meth Lab Bust, Pal Put Dead Body Under NJ Family's Doghouse, Police Say Two Sussex County ex-cons have been accused of relocating human remains found in a Hopatcong home to a doghouse underneath a deck, authorities said. Brian Cheda-Hackembruch, 25, of Andover Township (who you may remember from his involvement in a $1 million meth lab raid), and Matthew R. Thomas, 27, of Newton had found the body of an individual who died of a medical emergency in a Hopatcong home, Andover Township police said. Instead of notifying officials, the pair loaded the victim into the trunk of his or her own vehicle, then hired a towing company to move the car to a street near West L…
LAWSUIT: NJSP Trooper Beat Up Morris County Woman, Filed False Charges After Route 206 Crash LAWSUIT: NJSP Trooper Beat Up Morris County Woman, Filed False Charges After Route 206 Crash
Lawsuit: Njsp Trooper Beat Up Morris County Woman, Filed False Charges After Route 206 Crash A Morris County woman who crashed into a utility pole on Route 206 was later beat up by a state trooper and hit with false charges, a new lawsuit alleges. Jeanine Toscano of Netcong says she was permanently injured when Trooper Daniel J. McCarthy pushed her “head-first into his patrol car and then onto the ground” after responding to her crash scene in Andover Township on Sept. 15, 2019, NJ.com reports citing court records. As two other officers looked on but neglected to intervene, Toscano, 37, was then needlessly arrested and hit with several false charges including harassment for alleged…
PHOTOS: Fire Crews Douse Late-Night Sussex County Camp Building Blaze With 62K Gallons Of Water PHOTOS: Fire Crews Douse Late-Night Sussex County Camp Building Blaze With 62K Gallons Of Water
Photos: Fire Crews Douse Late-Night Sussex County Camp Building Blaze With 62K Gallons Of Water It took more than 62,000 gallons of water to douse a fire that broke out at a Sussex County camp building Wednesday night, authorities said. The two-alarm blaze was reported just after 9:30 p.m. at a Camp Hoover building at 951 Rt. 521 in Newton. Fire crews in Stillwater, Hampton, and Fredon were initially called to the scene before the blaze became fully involved, requiring backup assistance from Byram Fire for an air truck, Andover Township Fire for a Rapid Intervention Team, Blairstown Fire for a ladder truck, Knowlton Fire to cover the station and Sandyston Fire to cover the north end…
UPDATE: Lockdown Lifted At North Jersey Hospital UPDATE: Lockdown Lifted At North Jersey Hospital
Update: Lockdown Lifted At North Jersey Hospital A North Jersey hospital placed on lockdown Monday morning has been reopened and deemed safe, police said. Police requested a temporary lockdown of Newton Medical Center after receiving a report that a possible tenant of 183 High St. may have been seen entering the building carrying a suspected shotgun around 8:25 a.m., Chief Robert Osborn Jr. told Daily Voice. The tenant and weapon were found in a suite at 183 High St. and determined not to be a threat to the public, Osborn said. The lockdown was suspended and police patrols had cleared the scene a short time later, authorities said. The …
Police: Sussex County Man, 32, Swings Tomahawk In Public Parking Lot Assault Police: Sussex County Man, 32, Swings Tomahawk In Public Parking Lot Assault
Police: Sussex County Man, 32, Swings Tomahawk In Public Parking Lot Assault A Sussex County man threatened and swung a Tomahawk at a victim during two separate altercations last week, police said. Robert Cibula, 32, of Andover Township, approached a man in the Adams Street Parking Lot in Newton while holding a knife and making threats on Dec. 29 around 8:40 p.m., local police said. The victim ran from the area and returned a short time later only to be approached once again by Cibula, who swung at him with a Tomahawk axe and injured his hand, police said. Cibula was arrested, taken to Newton Medical Center and charged with aggravated assault, two counts of terrori…
Grisly History Of Sussex Man Captured In Hunterdon Homicide: Stabbed Robbery Victim In Head Grisly History Of Sussex Man Captured In Hunterdon Homicide: Stabbed Robbery Victim In Head
Grisly History Of Sussex Man Captured In Hunterdon Homicide: Stabbed Robbery Victim In Head UPDATE: A Sussex County ex-con who's spent nearly all of his adult life in prison was captured in Pennsylvania and charged Monday in connection with a homicide the night before in Hunterdon County, authorities confirmed. Brandon Petersen, 31, of Newton, whose criminal history includes imprisonment for more than eight years for brutally stabbing a neighbor during a robbery, became the target of a manhunt following the Sunday night killing of a female victim in Delaware Township, they said. Delaware Township police responding to a 911 call at 9:15 p.m. Sunday discovered that the victim had be…
These Towns Were Ranked Best Places To Live In Sussex County These Towns Were Ranked Best Places To Live In Sussex County
These Towns Were Ranked Best Places To Live In Sussex County We've seen the best places to live in New Jersey, but what about Sussex County? According to a newly-released set of rankings by Niche.com, the top three spots in the area are Lake Mohawk, Stanhope and Hardyston Township. Top towns for public schools in the county include Lake Mohawk, Montague Township and Stanhope. Here are the other top places to live in Sussex County, according to Niche.com. Crime, quality of schools, things to do, and cost of living were among the factors used in determining the rankings. 4. Highland Lakes 5. Andover Township 6. Montague Township 7. Fredon Township 8…
Sussex County Hair Dresser Snorts Heroin, Tries Urinating On HQ Floor During 2nd Arrest Of Day Sussex County Hair Dresser Snorts Heroin, Tries Urinating On HQ Floor During 2nd Arrest Of Day
Sussex County Hair Dresser Snorts Heroin, Tries Urinating On HQ Floor During 2nd Arrest Of Day An Andover Township woman snorted heroin, threatened officers, and tried defecating and urinating at police headquarters while being arrested twice in the same day, authorities said. Deanna Wassmer, 26, slammed a door in the face of an officer responding to reports of a domestic dispute between her and her Main Street neighbors around 11 a.m. last Friday, Hamburg Police Lt. Jason Tangorra said. Wassmer -- whose social media pages say she is a hairdresser at Supercuts -- was arrested when police found she was wanted with warrants out of Stanhope and Hopatcong, police said. While being proce…
Sussex County Petting Farm Owner Offered Plea Deal In Animal Cruelty Case Sussex County Petting Farm Owner Offered Plea Deal In Animal Cruelty Case
Sussex County Petting Farm Owner Offered Plea Deal In Animal Cruelty Case Dennis Sugar, owner of Sugar Sweet Farms in Sussex County, has been offered a plea deal after being accused of animal abuse and neglect at two of his past farms, reports say. Sugar, who was accused of neglecting to care for “dozens” of pigs and goats, leading to their death, disease and injury, appeared for a virtual hearing with Judge Louis S. Sceusi Tuesday, NJ Herald reports. Once Sceusi offered the plea deal, which could include a probation sentence, Sugar’s lawyer, George Daggett, stated that he intended to file a motion for the dismissal of the indictment, reports say. Daggett entere…
Police: Drunk Sussex County Man Hit Woman In Face Over Phone Battery At Route 206 Motel Police: Drunk Sussex County Man Hit Woman In Face Over Phone Battery At Route 206 Motel
Police: Drunk Sussex County Man Hit Woman In Face Over Phone Battery At Route 206 Motel A Montague Township man was drunk when he hit a woman numerous times in the face at a local hotel, said authorities who charged him. Andover Township police responded to the Econo Lodge on Route 206 after hearing reports of an assault shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday, WRNJ reports. Gregory S. Whitehead, 47, hit a female victim several times in the face during an argument over a cell phone battery, authorities said. The woman was brought by Lakeland Emergency Squad to Newton Medical Center for treatment of her injuries, authorities said. Whitehead was arrested, charged with third-degree aggrav…
Sussex County Petting Zoo Owner Indicted On Animal Cruelty Charges Sussex County Petting Zoo Owner Indicted On Animal Cruelty Charges
Sussex County Petting Zoo Owner Indicted On Animal Cruelty Charges The 47-year-old owner of a Sussex County petting zoo has been indicted on animal cruelty charges by a grand jury, reports say. Dennis Sugar of Branchville -- who owned Sugar Sweet Farms in Andover Township -- was arrested last summer for animal cruelty at his zoo, previously located in Lafayette, NJ Herald reports. A Sussex County grand jury accused Sugar of failing to care for numerous goats and piglets, many of whom had died or suffered from injuries and untreated diseases, reports say. Sugar was indicted on Jan. 23 and charged with two counts of third-degree cruelty to animals resultin…