NJ Man Charged In $44K Bad Check Scheme, Prosecutor Says NJ Man Charged In $44K Bad Check Scheme, Prosecutor Says
NJ Man Charged In $44K Bad Check Scheme, Prosecutor Says A 33-year-old Long Branch man previously accused in a $300,000 scam has been charged with stealing more than $44,000 from a local bank branch using a fraudulent check scheme, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Wednesday, Feb. 26. Jacob Gindi is facing third-degree bad checks and third-degree theft by deception charges following an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit, Santiago said. The case began when Deal Police received a report in December 2024 of suspected fraudulent activity at a bank branc…
Suspended Attorney Stole Clients Cash In NJ, PA Real Estate Scam: DA Suspended Attorney Stole Clients Cash In NJ, PA Real Estate Scam: DA
Suspended Attorney Stole Clients Cash In NJ, PA Real Estate Scam: DA A suspended real estate attorney is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, prosecutors announced on Monday, Feb. 24. James "Jim" J. Vassallo Jr., 55, of Voorhees, New Jersey, was arrested for misappropriating funds while handling a Downingtown, Pennsylvania, home purchase in early 2023, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said. Despite having his Pennsylvania law license suspended since August 2018, Vassallo allegedly continued to act as an attorney, taking money from his clients under false pretenses. The victims wired funds …
Speeding Fugitive Captured With $4K In Stolen Merch During Franklin Borough Traffic Stop: Cops Speeding Fugitive Captured With $4K In Stolen Merch During Franklin Borough Traffic Stop: Cops
Speeding Fugitive Captured With $4K In Stolen Merch During Franklin Borough Traffic Stop: Cops A 37-year-old New York fugitive was arrested last month in Sussex County and found with numerous stolen medication, authorities said. On Thursday, Jan 23, Luis Moure was pulled over by police in Franklin Borough after he was traveling at a high rate of speed and improperly passing vehicles on Route 23 South in Hamburg, Franklin Borough police said. A investigation revealed Moure had an outstanding extradition warrant from Virginia, police said. He was also found to be in possession of counterfeit currency and was sought by other New Jersey law enforcement agencies for using fake money and c…
$40K In Eggs Stolen From Distribution Trailer: Police $40K In Eggs Stolen From Distribution Trailer: Police
$40K In Eggs Stolen From Distribution Trailer: Police Amid the avian flu outbreak, authorities are investigating the theft of "high-value goods" from a Pennsylvania business, State Police announced on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Approximately 100,000 organic eggs, valued at $40,000, were stolen from a distribution trailer at Pete and Gerry's Organics in Antrim Township, according to PSP Chambersburg. The theft occurred sometime overnight on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Commerce Avenue facility, troopers detailed in the release. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact PSP Chambersburg at 717-264-5161.
$9K Theft Gets Former Ocean County Rec Director Probation: Prosecutor $9K Theft Gets Former Ocean County Rec Director Probation: Prosecutor
$9K Theft Gets Former Ocean County Rec Director Probation: Prosecutor A former Brick Township recreation official, once celebrated as a top professional in his field, was sentenced to three years probation on Friday, Jan. 31 after he admitted to stealing more than  $10,000 in township recreation fees, authorities said. Daniel Santaniello, 46, pleaded guilty last month to theft, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Santaniello was previously the recreation director for Brick Township. The New Jersey Recreation & Park Association gave him their "Professional of the Year Award" in 2016. Investigators said Santaniello abused his position to c…
Milltown Man Used Crowbar, Hammer To Burglarize Businesses Across 5 NJ Towns: Cops Milltown Man Used Crowbar, Hammer To Burglarize Businesses Across 5 NJ Towns: Cops
Milltown Man Used Crowbar, Hammer To Burglarize Businesses Across 5 NJ Towns: Cops A Milltown man has been charged in connection with a string of burglaries that occurred across Somerset County in December 2024, authorities announced. Gabriel Bay, 56, was arrested on Dec. 17, 2024, following a joint investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Unit and police departments from Bedminster, Warren, Branchburg, Bernards, and Green Brook. The burglaries spanned five townships, targeting convenience stores, restaurants, and other businesses between Dec. 3 and 16, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Surveillance footage captured Bay using …
Disbarred Lawyer Stole $1 Mil+ From Clients: Monmouth County Prosecutor Disbarred Lawyer Stole $1 Mil+ From Clients: Monmouth County Prosecutor
Disbarred Lawyer Stole $1 Mil+ From Clients: Monmouth County Prosecutor A 49-year-old disbarred Hazlet lawyer was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday, Jan. 17, after he admitted to stealing nearly $1.18 million from more than 60 clients. Steven Salami is also ordered to pay the full amount of stolen funds, back to the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, which had previously reimbursed his clients, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. From April to August 2019, while working as an attorney, Salami took $300,000 from four victims as part of real estate transactions, Santiago said. Salami put the money in escrow, but f…
State Worker Steals $130K From Mom Who Killed Both Sons Then Fled To NJ For Drugs: DA State Worker Steals $130K From Mom Who Killed Both Sons Then Fled To NJ For Drugs: DA
State Worker Steals $130K From Mom Who Killed Both Sons Then Fled To NJ For Drugs: DA A Philadelphia woman stole over $130,000 from a former Norristown State Hospital resident who was convicted of murdering her two young sons, using the funds for personal expenses, including a Puerto Rico vacation, officials announced on Monday, Dec. 23. Bridget Nicole Compton, 51, is accused of stealing $132,480.01 from the TD Ameritrade account of Trinh Nguyen, a former Norristown State Hospital resident, officials in Bucks County, PA said. Nguyen is currently serving two life sentences for fatally shooting her sons, 13-year-old Jeffrey “JT” Tini and 9-year-old Nelson Tini, in their Upper M…
Burglary Suspect Caught After Bold Jersey Shore Break-In Spree, Police Say Burglary Suspect Caught After Bold Jersey Shore Break-In Spree, Police Say
Burglary Suspect Caught After Bold Jersey Shore Break-In Spree, Police Say A Neptune man was accused of trying to break into several homes and a vehicle in Spring Lake, authorities said. Edward Leo, 57, was facing eight charges in the case, the Spring Lake Police Department said in a news release on Wednesday, Dec. 18. A Monmouth Avenue resident reported an unknown man attempting to break into his home just after midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Sea Girt and Spring Lake Heights officers quickly responded, along with a Bradley Beach K-9 unit. Investigators said the suspect also tried to enter another nearby home and rummaged through at least one unlocked ve…
Three Arrested After 'Chaotic' Armed Home Invasion In Atlantic City, Police Say Three Arrested After 'Chaotic' Armed Home Invasion In Atlantic City, Police Say
Three Arrested After 'Chaotic' Armed Home Invasion In Atlantic City, Police Say Three men were accused of an armed home invasion at a scene described by police as "chaotic," authorities said. Officers arrested two Atlantic City men, 36-year-old Andrew James and 35-year-old Rashad Lampkin, along with 34-year-old Andrey Green of Galloway Township, the Atlantic City Police Department said in a news release on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Police responded to the home on Brooklyn Avenue at around 6:02 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16. Arriving officers found suspects and victims running in the area. Investigators said Lampkin confronted a victim outside the home with a gun, forcing his…
NJ Police Sergeant Tests Positive For Meth, Took Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor NJ Police Sergeant Tests Positive For Meth, Took Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor
NJ Police Sergeant Tests Positive For Meth, Took Drugs From Evidence Room: Prosecutor A police sergeant in Hammonton is facing multiple charges after testing positive for methamphetamine and taking drugs from the department's evidence room, authorities said. Detective Sergeant Robert Zbikowski, 45, of Hammonton, was charged on Monday, Nov. 25, with second-degree official misconduct, second-degree pattern of official misconduct, third-degree theft by unlawful taking, and two fourth-degree charges: tampering with physical evidence and obstruction of law, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. In 2024, the Hammonton Police Department contacted the Atlantic County…
Porch Pirates Busted In Highland Park Package Theft Spree, Police Say Porch Pirates Busted In Highland Park Package Theft Spree, Police Say
Porch Pirates Busted In Highland Park Package Theft Spree, Police Say Two suspected porch pirates were caught in the act, following a series of package thefts in Highland Park, authorities said. The New Brunswick men were arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Highland Park Police Department said in a news release. Officers saw the unnamed duo stealing packages from homes on North Third Avenue and Highland Avenue. The first suspect, 40, was taken into custody on North Third Avenue. He was charged with third-degree theft by unlawful taking and resisting arrest by flight. The second suspect, 36, was arrested on Highland Avenue. He was charged with third…