GUILTY: Kidnapping Rapist Who Cancelled Plea Deal Convicted In Rampage Through PA, NJ, NY GUILTY: Kidnapping Rapist Who Cancelled Plea Deal Convicted In Rampage Through PA, NJ, NY
Guilty: Kidnapping Rapist Who Cancelled Plea Deal Convicted In Rampage Through PA, NJ, NY An ex-con who kidnapped and raped his ex-girlfriend in Pennsylvania, torched a used car dealership in Paterson and crashed a stolen SUV into police cars on either side of the George Washington Bridge rolled the dice and lost. After originally pleading guilty to several charges, Luis Figueroa, 41, withdrew his plea and took his chances with federal jurors in Newark. They ended up convicting him following a two-week trial. So now, instead of the 26-year deal that he originally accepted from the government, Figueroa could be sentenced to nearly 50 years in federal prison. The rampage had an “…
Authorities: Convicted Pyro Calls In Lyndhurst Car Fire, Waits For Responders, Lands In Jail Authorities: Convicted Pyro Calls In Lyndhurst Car Fire, Waits For Responders, Lands In Jail
Authorities: Convicted Pyro Calls In Lyndhurst Car Fire, Waits For Responders, Lands In Jail A paroled arsonist was waiting when firefighters in Lyndhurst responded to his call of an SUV fire. It didn’t take long for investigators to charge him with setting it. Christopher Baulch, 43, has an extensive criminal history that includes prison time served for torching two occupied Lyndhurst apartment buildings in 2000 – one on Christmas Eve, the other on New Year’s Eve – and then trying to play hero, records show. “In both cases, he went to help the people,” the sentencing judge in Hackensack said at the time. Baulch -- formerly of Lyndhurst and currently of Wayne – also has a chi…
South Jersey Man, 22, Charged With Murder In Fatal Apartment House Fire: State Police South Jersey Man, 22, Charged With Murder In Fatal Apartment House Fire: State Police
South Jersey Man, 22, Charged With Murder In Fatal Apartment House Fire: State Police A 22-year-old man from Burlington has been charged with murder in connection with a fatal arson fire, authorities said. Newlin Evans also was charged with arson for allegedly setting fire to an apartment complex that killed a man and injured two other victims, New Jersey State Police said. On April 20, Pemberton Borough police began investigating a fire on Egbert Street in Pemberton Borough that killed Camryn Powell, 22, of Pemberton Borough. As a result of the initial investigation, the fire was deemed suspicious and members from the New Jersey State Police Troop ‘C’ Red Lion Station alon…
Philly Man Arrested For Arson, Multiple Burglaries In Camden County Crime Spree: Prosecutor Philly Man Arrested For Arson, Multiple Burglaries In Camden County Crime Spree: Prosecutor
Philly Man Arrested For Arson, Multiple Burglaries In Camden County Crime Spree: Prosecutor A 33-year-old Philadelphia man has been arrested and charged for setting multiple fires in one business and damaging others during a string of burglaries in Camden County, authorities said. On May 3, 2022, at approximately 3:46 a.m., Berlin Township police were dispatched to an alarm at the Pure Puff Vape Shop located on the 500 block of Route 73. While en route, police were advised of reports that the business was on fire.  Police and firefighters observed heavy smoke coming from the interior of the business. Police also learned that five other businesses on the 500 block of Route 7…
Somerset County Woman Who Set Fire To Hamilton Business Sign Charged With Arson, Police Say Somerset County Woman Who Set Fire To Hamilton Business Sign Charged With Arson, Police Say
Somerset County Woman Who Set Fire To Hamilton Business Sign Charged With Arson, Police Say A Somerset County woman who set fire to a business sign in Mercer County was charged with arson, authorities said. Alicia Schmitter, 40, is accused of using a lighter to set fire to an advertisement flag in front of Angie’s Multiservices on the 1800 block of South Broad Street in Hamilton just before 3:10 a.m. on Thursday, April 21, local police said. Schmitter, of Franklin Park, was seen on surveillance footage walking out of sight before officers found her lying on the sidewalk nearby, police said. During questioning, Schmitter allegedly pulled out the lighter and tried to set fire to a …
Security Guard Charged With Setting Fire At Macy's Meadowlands Thankgiving Parade Studio Security Guard Charged With Setting Fire At Macy's Meadowlands Thankgiving Parade Studio
Security Guard Charged With Setting Fire At Macy's Meadowlands Thankgiving Parade Studio A security guard was charged with deliberately setting a fire at the building in the Meadowlands where the balloons and floats for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade are designed, constructed and stored. Mathew Awojobi, 63, of Newark was arrested in connection with the brush fire set outside the Macy's Parade Studio in Moonachie, which broke out shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, April 18, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella . Moonachie firefighters doused the suspicious blaze on State Street off Moonachie Road. Detectives reviewed area security video as part of an investigation by Mus…
Fire At Apartment Complex Ruled 'Suspicious': Jackson PD Fire At Apartment Complex Ruled 'Suspicious': Jackson PD
Fire At Apartment Complex Ruled 'Suspicious': Jackson PD An overnight fire at a Jersey Shore apartment complex was intentionally set, authorities said. Jackson police are seeking help from anyone who may have witnessed or who has information on the suspected arson, they said. On Thursday April 7, at 12:33 a.m., Jackson police responded with fire department to the Pineview Apartments on West County Line Road for a fire that appeared suspicious. The fire was located in a stairwell at Building C in the complex which had already been extinguished by residents upon the arrival of firefighters. During an investigation, multiple containers filled with …
Man Accused Of Torching Mom's South Jersey Home, Killing 2, Was Arrested 187 Times: Prosecutor Man Accused Of Torching Mom's South Jersey Home, Killing 2, Was Arrested 187 Times: Prosecutor
Man Accused Of Torching Mom's South Jersey Home, Killing 2, Was Arrested 187 Times: Prosecutor A 63-year-old man from Burlington County found guilty of causing the deaths of his mother and her companion in a house fire was sentenced to 11 years in New Jersey state prison, authorities said. Kurt Smith was sentenced on Thursday, Feb. 10 in Superior Court in Mount Holly, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina. He must serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. During Thursday’s proceedings, it was noted that Smith had been arrested 187 times and has 16 felony convictions, Coffina said. Smith, who lived at the residence in the 500 block of Wil…
Cigarette Butts, Sneaker Prints Led To Arrest Of Accused Arsonist Who Set Forest Fires: Report Cigarette Butts, Sneaker Prints Led To Arrest Of Accused Arsonist Who Set Forest Fires: Report
Cigarette Butts, Sneaker Prints Led To Arrest Of Accused Arsonist Who Set Forest Fires: Report The 32-year-old Jersey Shore man arrested for starting 25 forest fires in Ocean County left cigarette butts and sneaker prints at and leading to the crime scenes, NJ Advance Media reported. The investigation that led to Gregory P. Fullman Jr.'s arrest was assisted by tracking devices that detectives placed on two of his vehicles, the outlet reported, citing court documents. Fullman was charged on Jan. 31 by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office with 25 counts of second-degree aggravated arson for fires set in Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor, and Manchester. He remains in Ocean County Jail. …
Flawed DNA Test Gets Bergen Man Doing Life For Beating, Burning Woman, 70, New Trial Flawed DNA Test Gets Bergen Man Doing Life For Beating, Burning Woman, 70, New Trial
Flawed DNA Test Gets Bergen Man Doing Life For Beating, Burning Woman, 70, New Trial DNA evidence found under the fingernails of a 70-year-old Bergen County woman bludgeoned and burned in her home wasn’t reliable enough to convict a man who’s now serving a life sentence for her murder, a state appeals court ruled. Daniel Rochat, 46, of Wood-Ridge, has already been moved from New Jersey State Prison in Trenton to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack in anticipation of a new trial following the Appellate Division ruling. He remains charged with various counts of murder and felony murder, as well as aggravated arson, desecrating human remains, burglary, hindering arrest and f…
Accused Arsonist Set Forest Fires In 3 Jersey Shore Towns: Prosecutor Accused Arsonist Set Forest Fires In 3 Jersey Shore Towns: Prosecutor
Accused Arsonist Set Forest Fires In 3 Jersey Shore Towns: Prosecutor A Jersey Shore man was charged with 25 counts of aggravated arson in connection with fires set in wooded areas of Little Egg Harbor, Manchester and Lakewood, authorities said. Gregory Fullman, Jr., 32, of Manchester Township, was arrested on Monday for fires set between May 2021 and this month, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. An investigation revealed that Fullman was responsible for setting fires and destroying or damaging wooded areas in Little Egg Harbor Township on May 16, 2021, and December 8, 2021, Manchester Township on December 1, 2021,…
Fireworks Caused Blaze At South Jersey Goodwill Store: Report Fireworks Caused Blaze At South Jersey Goodwill Store: Report
Fireworks Caused Blaze At South Jersey Goodwill Store: Report A 56-year-old South Jersey man set a Goodwill store on fire, by mistake while shooting off fireworks, NJ Advance Media reported. Patrick J. Fanning, 56, of Washington Township, was charged with arson and aggravated assault, after a volunteer firefighter was injured while dousing the fire on Jan. 15 on Washington Township (Gloucester) around 4 a.m., the outlet said. The store's donated items including clothing suffered extensive smoke damage, authorities said. The fire began when Fanning allegedly lit fireworks in the loading dock area, NJ.com reported, quoting a criminal complaint. Fa…