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2 Injured, 1 Critically, In Somerset County Fire: Prosecutor 2 Injured, 1 Critically, In Somerset County Fire: Prosecutor
2 Injured, 1 Critically, In Somerset County Fire: Prosecutor Authorities are investigating the cause of a Somerset County fire that hurt two residents, one critically. The blaze broke out at a home on Mountain Avenue in North Plainfield around 3:10 a.m. Sunday, June 4, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said alongside local Police Chief William Parenti. Two men were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, where one of them remained in critical condition, McDonald said. The cause of the fire was being investigated but did not seem suspicious, the prosecutor added. Assisting agencies include fire crews in Bridgewater/Finderne, Bound Brook,…
NJ Man Pulls Down Pants, Shows Genitals To Girl At Learning Center: Prosecutor NJ Man Pulls Down Pants, Shows Genitals To Girl At Learning Center: Prosecutor
NJ Man Pulls Down Pants, Shows Genitals To Girl At Learning Center: Prosecutor A 54-year-old Princeton man was arrested for exposing his genitals to a girl at a learning center in Somerset County, authorities said. The girl told police she was walking by a man later identified as Shuai Shen, of Princeton, when he pulled his pants down and exposed himself to her on Saturday, Oct. 1 at an undisclosed educational facility in Montgomery Township,  Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Shen was identified as a possible suspect after detectives interviewed the victim, McDonald's office said. Exactly a week later, while conducting a surveillance detail…
Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor An odd-shaped bulge in a business patron's sock spotted by a police officer turned out to be a crack pipe, said authorities in Somerset County who also seized several vials of cocaine from him. A Branchburg officer was outside of a local business speaking to Diego Mena-Quesada, when he noticed the protrusion in his sock around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The officer identified the bulge as being consistent with the shape of a crack pipe, at which point 28-year-old Mena-Quesada, of Whitehouse Station, removed a crack pipe from his soc…
Random License Plate Check Nabs Fugitive With Cocaine, Heroin On Route 22: Authorities Random License Plate Check Nabs Fugitive With Cocaine, Heroin On Route 22: Authorities
Random License Plate Check Nabs Fugitive With Cocaine, Heroin On Route 22: Authorities A 48-year-old driver subject to a random license plate check by Branchburg police turned out to be wanted to failing to show up in court and had cocaine, heroin and Xanax on him and in his car, authorities said. A township officer patrolling Route 22 scanned John W. Hartrum's plates, which showed an active National Crime Information Center (NCIC) warrant around 11:50 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The officer stopped 58-year-old Hartrum, of Bridgewater, for a traffic violation on Route 22 West approaching France Drive, where the officer …
NY Woman Ran Prostitution Ring At NJ Massage Parlor: Prosecutor NY Woman Ran Prostitution Ring At NJ Massage Parlor: Prosecutor
NY Woman Ran Prostitution Ring At NJ Massage Parlor: Prosecutor A 42-year-old woman from Flushing, NY was arrested on accusations she ran a prostitution ring out of a Central Jersey massage parlor, authorities said. An undercover investigation into "numerous anonymous complaints" at a Watchung parlor earlier this month led to the arrest of Zhuhua Luo, 42, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Authorities did not disclose the name of the massage parlor. A search warrant was executed by members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Northern Street Crimes Task Force and local police, who seized cash as alleged proceeds of prostit…
Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Girl, 12, He Met Online: Prosecutor Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Girl, 12, He Met Online: Prosecutor
Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Girl, 12, He Met Online: Prosecutor A 20-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl he met online, authorities said. The victim on July 26 told police she met an unknown male, later identified as Lenic S. Galvin, of Bound Brook, on social media before he arranged for the victim to be brought to his home, where he sexually assaulted her, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Galvin was arrested the following day on charges of aggravated sexual assault and more. He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. Anyone with information relating …
Somerset County Financial Officer Stole $75K+ From Nonprofit: Prosecutor Somerset County Financial Officer Stole $75K+ From Nonprofit: Prosecutor
Somerset County Financial Officer Stole $75K+ From Nonprofit: Prosecutor A 55-year-old woman from Somerset County stole more than $75,000 from a nonprofit organization she was the financial officer of over a two-year period, authorities said. Jolee Roberts, of Bridgewater, cashed numerous checks and used credit cards issued to the non-profit for unauthorized purchases totaling thousands of dollars, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The discovery was made after Roberts had been fired from the organization, McDonald said. Roberts' LinkedIn profile says she was the financial officer for Middle Earth, whose mission is to "provide youth with…
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor A 25-year-old woman wanted on warrants out of multiple Central Jersey towns arrested for leading a Route 202 police pursuit before crashing, authorities said. Police tried stopping Jerrie Lee Williams, of Bound Brook, around 11:05 p.m. in Branchburg when they noticed she had an expired registration, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Williams failed to stop when signaled by the officer activating his emergency police lights and siren, McDonald said. Instead, she fled on Holland Brook Road at a high rate of speed.  The officer deactivated his police emergency l…
Man Shot At NJ House Party Man Shot At NJ House Party
Man Shot At NJ House Party A 20-year-old New Jersey man was shot during a house party Friday, July 8, authorities said. The victim was one of the dozens of guests at a party somewhere near Arnold Avenue when authorities found him at Vermeule Park in North Plainfield suffering a gunshot wound to his upper body around 10:45 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Officers and responding Emergency Medical Personnel tended to the shooting victim who was treated at an undisclosed area hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Authorities are attempting to determine the motive for the shootin…
Somerset County Man Busted On Child Porn Charges Somerset County Man Busted On Child Porn Charges
Somerset County Man Busted On Child Porn Charges A 33-year-old Somerset County man was arrested on child porn charges, authorities said. A search of devices at Jason O'Hare's Lake Road home in Far Hills the morning of May 25 turned up  numerous sexually explicit images of children under the age of 18, Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Detectives were tipped off to an apparent upload of images of sexual exploitation or abuse of a child by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).  O’Hare was arrested without incident at his house and charged with 2nd degree Distribution…
Central Jersey Man Sent Out Child Porn: Authorities Central Jersey Man Sent Out Child Porn: Authorities
Central Jersey Man Sent Out Child Porn: Authorities A 60-year-old Somerset County man was arrested on child porn charges, authorities said. Gary J. Babey, of Hillsborough, sent numerous images of child sexual abuse material to another individual, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. The investigation stemmed from a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Babey was arrested on Monday, May 2 and charged with multiple child porn offenses. He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail where he will remain pending a detention hearing in this matter Acting Prosecutor Taggart, Chief …
Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor
Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor The driver who struck and killed a pedestrian earlier this year was arrested, as was a woman who lied about the incident to police, authorities in Central Jersey said. Raulito Peralta, 22, of Highland Park, struck and killed New Brunswick's Treasa M. Daye-Fennie while she was crossing a street in Franklin Township last February, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Estrella Caballero-Cruz, 21, of Highland Park, was charged with providing a false report to police. Daye-Fennie was crossing Somerset Street near High Street around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22, wh…
Investment Trading CEO Had Heroin In Crash Near Neshanic Valley Golf Course Course: Prosecutor Investment Trading CEO Had Heroin In Crash Near Neshanic Valley Golf Course Course: Prosecutor
Investment Trading CEO Had Heroin In Crash Near Neshanic Valley Golf Course Course: Prosecutor A DUI driver who struck a tree near a Somerset county golf course last month was busted with heroin, authorities said. Christian Graverson, 44, was behind the wheel of an SUV when he struck a tree South Branch Road near the Neshanic Valley Golf Course. in Branchburg around 5:50 p.m. March 31,  Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. The 44-year-old Hillsborough man was not injured, Taggart said. Further investigation found that Graverson was under the influence of drugs, and was subsequently placed under arrest, police said. He was in possession of heroi…
NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor
NJ Man Sexually Assaulted Girl From Ages 6 To 9: Prosecutor A 68-year-old Somerset County man was arrested on accusations he sexually assaulted a girl for three years beginning when she was six years old, authorities said. Teodoro R. Velazquez, of Bernardsville, was arrested following an investigation beginning in June 2021,  Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The girl told detectives she was abused by Velazquez from 2013 to 2017 in Bernardsville, Chirichella said alongside local police. Velazquez was arrested Wednesday, March 23, on various degrees of aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment. He was lodged in …
Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police
Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police A 26-year-old Somerset County man who led two separate police pursuits in stolen cars — both of which he crashed — has been arrested on theft and drug charges, authorities announced. Nicholas G. Aiello first started trouble on Feb. 24, when police responding to reports of a stolen vehicle spotted it speeding eastbound on Route 28 around 9:20 p.m. in Branchburg, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The officer activated his vehicle’s emergency lights and siren, but discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons as the vehicle sped out of sight. A short time later, off…
NJ Woman Helping Homebound Victim With Groceries Wanted For Racking Up $22K Bill: Police NJ Woman Helping Homebound Victim With Groceries Wanted For Racking Up $22K Bill: Police
NJ Woman Helping Homebound Victim With Groceries Wanted For Racking Up $22K Bill: Police A New Jersey woman entrusted with the credit card of a medically incapacitated victim she had been grocery shopping for was arrested for racking up a $22,000 bill on the victim's card for her own personal gain, authorities said. Lisa Pryor, 55, of Monroe, was arrested at her job in Plainsboro on a warrant for theft and fraud-related offenses on Tuesday, March 22, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The victim, a Branchburg resident, in September 2021 told police that someone had used their card and other identifying information, resulting in the loss of thou…
NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say
NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say A 53-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for attacking a victim with an axe, sending him to the hospital, authorities said. Jonathan W. Beatty, of Raritan, was at his West Somerset Street house when he got into an argument with someone he knew around 12:50 a.m. July 3, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Things escalated and Beatty sliced the victim's back and forearm with the axe, causing him to bleed profusely, Robertson said alongside Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Raritan Borough Chief of Police Raymond Nolte. Beatty was transported from …
Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting
Pair Captured On Attempted Murder Charges Weeks After Somerset County Shooting Two men have been arrested in connection with a Somerset County shooting last month, authorities announced Monday. Somerville police responded to Third and Center streets on reports of shots fired around 2:45 a.m. May 23, where they found bullet holes in an occupied home, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Ronnie Lyles, 51, of Phillipsburg, and Miguel A. Hernandez, 37, of Somerville, were identified as the two suspects involved in the shooting, Robertson said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Somervil…
NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 'Extremely Affectionate' Son, 4, Indicted On Murder Charge NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 'Extremely Affectionate' Son, 4, Indicted On Murder Charge
NJ Mom Accused Of Killing 'Extremely Affectionate' Son, 4, Indicted On Murder Charge A New Jersey mother who called 911 for a minor wrist injury she suffered apparently in the process of killing her 4-year-old son was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the homicide, authorities announced.  Elina Gutti -- also known as Olga Singhania and Olga Gutiy -- is accused of using two kitchen knives to cut the throat of Aiden Singhania, who was found in a first-floor bedroom of her South Bound Brook home on Feb. 6, and pronounced dead at the scene, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced. The indictment charges Gutti with first-degree murder and&nb…
NJ Martial Arts Studio Owner Placed Hidden Camera In Bathroom, Prosecutor Says NJ Martial Arts Studio Owner Placed Hidden Camera In Bathroom, Prosecutor Says
NJ Martial Arts Studio Owner Placed Hidden Camera In Bathroom, Prosecutor Says The 31-year-old owner of a martial arts studio was arrested on accusations he placed a camera inside of a bathroom and filmed members of the public and students who used it, authorities said Wednesday. Leonardo Sanchez of Somerville -- who owns Impact Martial Arts in Warren -- was arrested March 19 and charged with third-degree Invasion of privacy, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Police were called to the Mountain Boulevard studio around 11:30 p.m., when an employee found a hidden camera inside of the business, along with videos of individuals using the bathroom, Rober…
Prosecutor: NJ Driver Charged With Attempted Murder For Hitting Men With Dodge Durango Prosecutor: NJ Driver Charged With Attempted Murder For Hitting Men With Dodge Durango
Prosecutor: NJ Driver Charged With Attempted Murder For Hitting Men With Dodge Durango A Somerset County man was charged with attempted murder after intentionally hitting two men with his car after patronizing the same local bar in 2019, authorities said. Surveillance tapes captured a 2020 Dodge Durango registered to William D. Hoke Jr., 47, driving up and down East Main Street in Bound Brook before entering Lot 3 around 1:40 a.m. on Dec. 20, 2019, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Once inside the lot, he hit a 31-year-old Bloomfield man and 36-year-old Bound Brook with his car, propelling them more than ten feet into a parked car, Robertson said…
NJ Mom Called 9-1-1 For Her Own Wrist Injury After Killing 4-Year-Old Son, Prosecutor Says NJ Mom Called 9-1-1 For Her Own Wrist Injury After Killing 4-Year-Old Son, Prosecutor Says
NJ Mom Called 9-1-1 For Her Own Wrist Injury After Killing 4-Year-Old Son, Prosecutor Says A New Jersey mom who called 9-1-1 for a minor wrist injury overnight was charged with murder after officers found her 4-year-old son -- who later died -- with cuts on his body in a bedroom, authorities said. Elina Gutti, 38, of South Bound Brook (Somerset County) called 9-1-1 on Feb. 6 saying she had unexplained injuries on her left wrist around 2:30 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Her injuries required minor medical treatment, but on further assessment, officers found a 4-year-old boy with serious cuts in a first floor bedroom of the home, Robertson said al…
NJ Dad Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2-Year-Old Daughter At Motel NJ Dad Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2-Year-Old Daughter At Motel
NJ Dad Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2-Year-Old Daughter At Motel A New Jersey dad has been charged with first degree attempted murder after surveillance tapes caught him putting his 2-year-old daughter in a plastic bag and carrying her through a New Jersey motel, authorities said. North Plainfield police responded to a Route 22 motel on reports of a baby inside of a bag around 12:40 p.m. on Jan. 23, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. There, they found a man later identified as Lamar S. Waller -- the girl's dad -- holding his child, Robertson said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W.…
Tech Company Manager From Branchburg Charged With Possession, Distribution Of Child Porn Tech Company Manager From Branchburg Charged With Possession, Distribution Of Child Porn
Tech Company Manager From Branchburg Charged With Possession, Distribution Of Child Porn A 55-year-old Branchburg man was arrested for possession and distribution of child pornography, authorities said. Detectives with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit were notified of a peer-to-peer child pornography download case regrading Philip Liebergall, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Liebergall's Facebook profile says he is the business operations manager of Cisco, an American multinational technology company. On Dec. 8 at 7:15 a.m., a search warrant was executed at Liebergall's home, which turned up more than 1,000 photos …
NJ Woman Who Pointed Gun At Construction Worker Brings SWAT Presence To Apartment Complex NJ Woman Who Pointed Gun At Construction Worker Brings SWAT Presence To Apartment Complex
NJ Woman Who Pointed Gun At Construction Worker Brings SWAT Presence To Apartment Complex A 31-year-old woman accused of pointing a gun at a construction worker outside her apartment complex was arrested after a standoff with police Thursday, authorities said. Celeste E. Jensen, of Somerville, jailed on weapons related charges pending a bail hearing, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Police were called to the Brookside Apartments on Brookside Avenue in Somerville on reports that a woman flashed a gun at construction workers doing maintenance at the complex around 4:45 p.m., Robertson said alongside other authorities. The worker pointed police to Jensen,…