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Police & Fire
NJ Nurse Spotted With Gas Canister Before Fires At Workplace, His Apartment: Prosecutor NJ Nurse Spotted With Gas Canister Before Fires At Workplace, His Apartment: Prosecutor
NJ Nurse Spotted With Gas Canister Before Fires At Workplace, His Apartment: Prosecutor A Gloucester Township nurse is accused of setting multiple fires Thursday, June 4, including at his apartment, vehicle, and workplace, where employees and patients were inside, authorities said. Taquan N. Ayers, 25, was arrested and charged in connection arson for fires in Gloucester Township and Winslow Township,  Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay said. Ayers worked as a licensed practical nurse at Oaks Integrated Care, MacAulay said. At 11:52 a.m., officers and firefighters responded to Cherrywood Apartments on Little Gloucester Road in Gloucester Township for a fire at Ayers' …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Juvenile Airlifted After E-Bike Crash: Stafford Twp PD Juvenile Airlifted After E-Bike Crash: Stafford Twp PD
Juvenile Airlifted After E-Bike Crash: Stafford Twp PD A juvenile was hospitalized after crashing into a vehicle while riding an e-bike in Stafford on Wednesday, June , authorities said. At 6 p.m. officers responded to Parker Street and Hillard Boulevard after the juvenile was riding an e-bike on the shoulder, traveling against the flow of traffic, Stafford Township police said. As a vehicle was making a right turn onto Hillard Boulevard, the e-bike collided with the passenger side of the car, police said. The juvenile sustained injuries and was transported by medical helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for evaluation and …

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Two Ocean County Men Plead Guilty To Assault In Shooting: Prosecutor Two Ocean County Men Plead Guilty To Assault In Shooting: Prosecutor
Two Ocean County Men Plead Guilty To Assault In Shooting: Prosecutor Two Ocean County residents pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for their role in a shooting in Toms River, authorities announced Thursday, June 4. Anthony Zigarelli, a 21-year-old Manchester Township resident, faces 10 years in prison while Anthony Ventrice, a 19-year-old Toms River resident faces seven years in prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. At 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, Toms River police responded to Camino Medio and Camino Verde after Ventrice produced a handgun and fired multiple gunshots at a person who was riding his bicycle through the area, Billhimer sai…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Former Philly Officer Convicted Of Perjury After False Gun Arrest Testimony Former Philly Officer Convicted Of Perjury After False Gun Arrest Testimony
Former Philly Officer Convicted Of Perjury After False Gun Arrest Testimony A former Philadelphia police officer has been convicted of perjury for lying under oath about how he found a gun during a traffic stop that led to a firearms arrest, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, June 3. Daniel Levitt, 52, was found guilty by a Philadelphia jury on Tuesday, June 2, after a two-day trial stemming from a 2021 traffic stop in Northwest Philadelphia, according to District Attorney Larry Krasner. Levitt, a former officer assigned to the 39th District, was working with two other officers during a traffic stop on the 2900 block of North Sydenh…

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by Jillian Pikora
Police & Fire
NJ Husband Pleads Not Guilty In Barbell Killing Of Wife He Hated For 18 Years: Report NJ Husband Pleads Not Guilty In Barbell Killing Of Wife He Hated For 18 Years: Report
NJ Husband Pleads Not Guilty In Barbell Killing Of Wife He Hated For 18 Years: Report The man accused of killing his wife with a barbell pleaded not guilty in Monmouth County Superior Court Wednesday, June 3. Michael Kless, 67, is charged with murder and numerous weapons offenses in the death of his wife, Stacy Epstein- Kless, 66. Judge Paul Escandon ordered Kless be held without bail. In court, prosecutors showed an email Kless sent to his children admitting to the killing, saying he hated his wife for the past 18 years of their marriage after she said she was no longer in love with him, NJ Advance Media reports. Kless had started a relationship with a woman he me…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Support Swells For NJ Cop Wounded In Shooting Support Swells For NJ Cop Wounded In Shooting
Support Swells For NJ Cop Wounded In Shooting Sergeant Christian Ivanov was one of two Atlantic City police officers injured in a shooting on Tuesday, June 2 and now the community is coming together to help. A GoFundMe has been launched for Ivanov, who is described as a devoted husband and loving father to his three children. Ivanov is in stable but serious condition, according to the fundraiser. "Christian is a highly respected SWAT Sergeant with the Atlantic City Police Department, a leader who has spent his career running toward danger when others are running away from it," Valmir Loga, who organized the fundraiser said. "He is know…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Caregiver Accused Of Dismembering Disabled BF Body Into Suitcase With Family's Help: Philly DA Caregiver Accused Of Dismembering Disabled BF Body Into Suitcase With Family's Help: Philly DA
Caregiver Accused Of Dismembering Disabled BF Body Into Suitcase With Family's Help: Philly DA A home health aide is accused of shooting her disabled boyfriend, dismembering his body, and enlisting family members to help dump his remains in a suitcase and trash bags in Philadelphia, prosecutors announced. Liza Ridley, 53, has been charged with murder and related offenses in the death of Vincent Good, 53, whose dismembered remains were discovered in Kensington on Friday, May 22, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. The investigation began around 9:25 a.m. when a person searching for scrap metal in an alley along the 600 block of East Hilton Street opened a discard…

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by Jillian Pikora
Police & Fire
Paterson Man Admits To Armed Robbery That Ended In Shooting: Ocean County Prosecutor Paterson Man Admits To Armed Robbery That Ended In Shooting: Ocean County Prosecutor
Paterson Man Admits To Armed Robbery That Ended In Shooting: Ocean County Prosecutor A 38-year-old Paterson man pleaded guilty to robbing a man in Little Egg Harbor Township, authorities announced Tuesday, June 2. Christopher Miller faces a decade in prison as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. On Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 at 4:30 a.m., Little Egg Harbor Township police responded to a residence on East Hudson Drive and found a 36-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds,  Billhimer said. The victim had visited Miller and Marc Manfredonia, a 34-year-old Little Egg Harbor Township resident at the residence, but…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
NJ Man, 20, Had Sexual Contact With Girl, 15, In NY After Meeting On Snapchat: Police NJ Man, 20, Had Sexual Contact With Girl, 15, In NY After Meeting On Snapchat: Police
NJ Man, 20, Had Sexual Contact With Girl, 15, In NY After Meeting On Snapchat: Police A 20-year-old New Jersey man faces charges after having sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl in the Hudson Valley, NY, following their meeting over Snapchat, police said.  Passaic County resident Joseph D. Hand, 20, of West Milford, was arrested on sexual misconduct and child endangerment charges in connection with the alleged activity, New York State Police announced on Tuesday, June 2.  According to police, on Monday, June 1, troopers learned of a possible sex offense involving a child at a home in the Dutchess County town of Red Hook.  Investigators determined that Hand…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Massachusetts Woman Killed In Virginia Bus Crash Was Headed To Long-Awaited Vacation Massachusetts Woman Killed In Virginia Bus Crash Was Headed To Long-Awaited Vacation
Massachusetts Woman Killed In Virginia Bus Crash Was Headed To Long-Awaited Vacation A Massachusetts woman killed in the deadly Virginia charter bus crash was looking forward to a long-awaited Florida vacation and promised a friend she would call when she arrived.  That call never came. Priscilla R. Mafalda, 25, of Worcester, was identified as the fifth victim killed in the crash on I-95 near Quantico, Virginia. The wreck happened early Friday morning as travelers made their way south. A family of four from Greenfield, Massachusetts, was also killed.  The day before the crash, Mafalda shared her excitement about the trip in a text message to her friend and c…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Two On-Duty Police K-9s Die Same Day, Handler Placed On Leave: Report Two On-Duty Police K-9s Die Same Day, Handler Placed On Leave: Report
Two On-Duty Police K-9s Die Same Day, Handler Placed On Leave: Report Two K-9s in the Salem County Sheriff's Office died on Friday, May 29, authorities said. The deaths of Rip and Boomer remain under investigation by the Salem County Prosecutor's Office, the Salem County Sheriff's Office said. "Their loyalty, service, and dedication to protecting the residents of Salem County will never be forgotten," the sheriff's office said on Facebook. "We honor their lives with gratitude for all they gave and the service they performed alongside our officers in the countless ways they helped protect our community. Due to the ongoing investigation, the sheriff's office s…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
NJ Corrections Officer Killed In Motorcycle Crash, Union Says NJ Corrections Officer Killed In Motorcycle Crash, Union Says
NJ Corrections Officer Killed In Motorcycle Crash, Union Says A New Jersey corrections officer has died following a motorcycle crash, according to the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 105. Senior Corrections Police Officer Aaron A. Elly, 29, of Cinnaminson, died after the crash, the union announced. Details of the crash were not immediately available. Elly's obituary says only that he died on May 31. A GoFundMe by PBA Local 105 had raised more than $11,000 as of Thursday, June 4. "Officer Elly was a dedicated correctional police officer, a respected coworker, and a friend to many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his fa…

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by Cecilia Levine