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Wednesday, mar 5
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Law Enforcement
Police & Fire
Son Of NJ Judge Accused Of Posing As Cop In PA Speaks Out: ‘I’m No Fraud’
A man accused of impersonating a police officer and harassing residents in Quarryville is now speaking out, claiming he was falsely accused and unfairly targeted by authorities. John Francis McCarthy, the estranged son of a sitting New Jersey judge, was charged with impersonating a public servant and harassment in February. Now, he’s firing back, calling the charges a “twisted lie” by law enforcement. “I HAVE NEVER claimed to be a government employee to anyone, anywhere, EVER,” McCarthy wrote in a series of emails to local news outlets. Instead, he says he is a concerned Uber driver who h…
Police & Fire
Brazen Dunkin' Bandit Steals $18K From 14 Locations Across New Jersey: Prosecutor
A Newark man is behind bars after authorities say he went on a multi-county Dunkin’ burglary spree, swiping more than $18,000 in cash and leaving a trail of destruction behind. Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 24-year-old Enajaim E. Bowman, who turned himself in on Tuesday, Feb. 25, after detectives tracked him down following weeks of investigation. For nearly two months, Bowman prowled the overnight hours, prying open doors and smashing windows to loot cash registers, safes, and managers’ offices at Dunkin’ Donuts locations across Bergen, Middlesex, Morris, and…
Police & Fire
Suspended BMW Driver Leads 100 MPH Pursuit-Crash Along Route 206: Police
A BMW clocked at over 100 mph led police on a high-speed chase down Route 206 before crashing and sparking a foot pursuit that ended in the arrests of two North Jersey men, authorities said. The Byram Township Police Department said the Feb. 23 incident began at 11:11 a.m. when an officer attempted to pull over the speeding vehicle on Route 206 North. Instead of stopping, the driver, later identified as Andrew Jack Acevedo, 19, accelerated, weaving through traffic and even passing another vehicle on the shoulder, police said. The chase stretched into Andover Borough, where responding office…
Police & Fire
NJ Man Trying To Lure Girls For Sex Sent His Drivers License To Undercover Cop: AG
A 39-year-old Ocean County man was arrested and charged on Friday, Feb. 28 with trying to lure young children for sexual activity, authorities said. On Friday, Feb. 7, an undercover law enforcement officer purporting to be an adult male with access to a 6-year-old girl was contacted on an online platform by a user, later identified as Daniel Dagostino, of the platform, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. The undercover officer and the other user moved their conversation to a messaging app, where the undercover mentioned he had access to an 8-year-old girl and a 10-year-old gir…
Police & Fire
Fallen Officer Honored: Funeral For Andrew Duarte Livestreamed Today
The funeral for Officer Andrew Duarte, the Pennsylvania officer killed in the UPMC York hospital shooting, is being held today, and the service will be livestreamed for those wishing to pay their respects. Duarte, who was wearing a bullet-resistant vest, died from a gunshot wound to the torso, according to the coroner’s report. The brave officer sacrificed his life while responding to the violent hostage situation inside the hospital. The public can watch the funeral service live here. Duarte is remembered as a dedicated officer, a loving family man, and a hero whose actions saved lives …
Police & Fire
NJ Security Guard Guilty Of Hitting Homeless Shoplifter With Cop Car: Prosecutor
A 57-year-old Rutherford Family Dollar security guard was convicted on Wednesday, Feb. 26 of hitting a shoplifter with a police car, authorities said. Frederic Parisi was convicted of aggravated assault, endangering an injured victim and impersonating police officer for the 2020 incident which left the victim, Hector Rodriguez with life-threatening injuries, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II said. On Friday, March 13, 2020, Parisi, a security guard at the Family Dollar store at 131 Clinton Ave. chased Rodriguez in a police car, struck him with the vehicle and then sprayed him in …
Police & Fire
$36 Million In Drugs Seized During NJ Traffic Stop:
Njstp
Two people were arrested after $36 million worth of drugs were seized during a motor vehicle stop in Warren County on Tuesday, Feb. 18, authorities said. The Mobile Safe Freight Unit was conducting a commercial vehicle inspection on Route 78 East in Greenwich Township when it was determined the vehicle was transporting of marijuana, New Jersey State Police said. . A subsequent search of the trailer led to the seizure of approximately 8,042.2 pounds of raw hydroponic marijuana, 12,062 pounds of various cannabis/THC products, and 13.4 pounds of psilocybin products, police said. The tota…
Police & Fire
Slain Officer’s Final Wish Revealed As Funeral Plans Announced After Hospital Shooting
West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte will be laid to rest this week after he was killed in the line of duty during a mass shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York County on Saturday, Feb, 22. His family, fellow officers, and an outpouring of community support are ensuring his legacy of service and sacrifice is never forgotten. Funeral Service Details Duarte’s funeral will take place on Friday, Feb. 28, at 1:00 p.m. at Living Word Community Church, 2530 Cape Horn Road, Red Lion, PA. Due to high attendance expectations, seating arrangements are as follows: Seating inside the c…
Politics
Right-Wing Podcaster Dan Bongino Named FBI Deputy Director
Popular right-wing podcaster - and staunch Trump supporter - Dan Bongino has been named as the FBI deputy director in a surprise move. The former Secret Service agent who went on to become an instructor in Maryland, earned a master's degree from Queens College and an MBA at Penn State University. He will serve under recently appointed FBI Director Kash Patel, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the agency's dozens of field offices. "Great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice! Dan Bongino, a man of incredible love and passion for our Country, has just been named the next DEPUTY…
Police & Fire
Officer Stabbed, Suspect Arrested In Camden County: Police
A Camden County police officer is in critical condition after he was stabbed by a 38-year-old Sicklerville man on Sunday, Feb. 23, authorities said. The officer, was stabbed while conducting a business check in the area of Broadway and Chestnut Street in Camden, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said. He was transported to a nearby hospital and is currently in critical, but stable condition, authorities said. Richard Dennis was apprehended soon after in the area of South 7th Street and Kaighn Avenue, authorities said. He was charged with attempted murder, aggravated …
Police & Fire
Slain Virginia Beach Officer Is NJ Native: Remembering Christopher Reese
One of two Virginia Beach officers killed during a routine traffic stop on Friday, Feb. 21, has been identified as a South Jersey native. Officer Christopher Reese, 30, and Officer Cameron Girvin, 25, were riding double-assigned to a midnight shift traffic car when they attempted to stop a Hyundai with an expired plate at 11:27 p.m., Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate said at a news conference Saturday. The driver, later identified as John McCoy III — whom Neudigate vowed to only name once — refused to yield, leading officers to a dead-end street, where the vehicle finally came…
News
Customers Overwhelm Route 46 Bird Store Owner With Love After Crossbow Attack
Katarina wasn’t sure what to expect when she unlocked the doors of Birds By Joe 2 on Roue 46 Saddle Brook on Friday, Feb. 21—the first time she’d officially reopened since being shot with a crossbow inside her own store. What she walked into was overwhelming. Customers streamed in, arms full of flowers, gifts, and bags of soft food she could eat. They hugged her, squeezed her hands, and told her they had been worried about her. Some just stood there, fighting back tears, grateful she was still here. Stephanie Sclafani arrived carrying two milkshakes and a bag of mashed potatoes from…
Police & Fire
Thief Who Led High-Speed NJ Turnpike Pursuit In Stolen Audi Arrested: Cops
A 29-year-old Newark man was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 19, months after he was able to flee Secaucus police during a pursuit. On Wednesday, June 5 at 1:02 a.m., a Secaucus resident reported their 2022 Audi Q3 was in the process of being stolen from the driveway, Secaucus police said. Officers followed the stolen vehicle into a dead end, police said. Rakim Thompson purposely rammed several of the police vehicles, one of which was occupied, to escape and evade capture, officers said. Thompson then fled in the stolen Audi where he was pursued by officers onto the New Jersey Tu…
Police & Fire
Drug Kingpin From Infamous Newark Gang Learns Fate: Feds
A 41-year-old Newark drug trafficker was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Tuesday, Feb. 18, for his role in dealing numerous amounts of drugs and guns throughout the city, authorities said. Shaheed Blake was the last of 25 co-defendants to be sentenced, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna said. Blake and his other associates were members of a Bloods-affiliated gang that called itself the “CKarter Boys," Khanna said. The organization’s leaders—Blake and Anderson Hutchinson operated a massive drug market that flooded the streets of Newark with heroin and crack cocaine 24-7, K…
Police & Fire
Man Trying To Keep Warm Charged With Arson In Massive NJ Storage Facility Blaze: Cops
An 84-year-old man who authorities say was trying to keep warm has been charged with arson after starting a massive fire at a storage facility in Cape May County on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 19, authorities said. Salvatore Gellura was working in his storage unit at Burleigh Storage in Middle Township and lit cardboard in a metal container to keep warm sometime around 8:49 a.m., Middle Township police said. The fire spread beyond the container and Gellura was unable to control it, police said. One firefighter was transported to a nearby hospital for smoke inhalation, police sa…
Police & Fire
Another Man Accused Of Exposing Himself To Young Girls In Ocean County: Prosecutor
The day after authorities announced the arrest of an 18-year-old ski-masked man masturbating in front of young females, officials in the same county announced a similar arrest. Michael Marto, 28, of Tuckerton, exposed his penis to a 10-year-old girl, propositioned two 15-year-old girls, and made sexual comments toward a 17-year-old girl — all in Lakewood, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Marto's arrest comes one day after that of Massinissa Ladj, who wore a ski mask as he drove around and masturbated in front of females as young as 12 years old in Lakewood, polic…
Police & Fire
Cops Intercept 'FBI Agent' En Route To Collect $40K In New Jersey, Authorities Say
A 28-year old Cherry Hill resident was arrested and charged on Thursday, Feb. 13 with trying to scam a person in Evesham out of $40,000 by posing as an FBI agent, authorities said. Officers began investigating after a person told law enforcement they received a phone call from an individual claiming to be a member of the F.B.I, Evesham police said. Brij Shukla informed the person that they owed the government $40,000 and instructed them to withdraw the money, stating that a "courier" would visit their residence to retrieve the cash, police said. Detectives began investigating the crime…
News
Family Fears Missing PA Teen Spotted In NJ, Wawa Possibly Sex Trafficked
A 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl vanished after slipping out of a bathroom window at home—and her family fears she may have fallen into the hands of traffickers. Authorities are urgently searching for Enci Wu, who goes by the name Aubrey, last seen in New Jersey and at a Wawa in Whitehall Township, officials announced. Wu, of Palmer Township, Easton, was reported missing on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, after police responded to her home on the 2600 block of Stephens Street for a welfare check, according to the Palmer Township Police Department. Her family says she has now been missing for 39 days…
Police & Fire
North Bergen Cop Resigns After Sexual Assault Charge: Police
Roberto Gonzalez, a police officer in North Bergen resigned last November after being charged with sexual assault. Gonzalez was previously suspended after he was charged with sexual assault in Essex County in March 2023, according to the police department's annual discipline report. The criminal case remains pending, police said. Following an Internal Affairs investigation, the department moved for termination, but Gonzalez chose to resign, police said. A lifelong North Bergen resident, Gonzalez previously worked as a dispatcher for the police department. He joined the department as a poli…
Police & Fire
Pursuit In Stolen Mercedes Along Route 17, Parkway Ends In 5 Arrests: Police
A pursuit involving a stolen Mercedes-Benz GLE ended in multiple arrests after five suspects attempted to flee police in Paramus early Sunday, Feb, 16, police said. Sgt. Sean Nutland first spotted the stolen 2017 white Mercedes-Benz traveling north on Route 17 near Ridgewood Avenue around 2:50 a.m., according to Paramus Police Chief Robert Guidetti. After confirming the vehicle was reported stolen out of Kearny, the driver made a U-turn onto Route 17 South at Linwood Avenue and attempted to evade officers at high speeds. Officer Cesar Hurtado took over the pursuit as the vehicle continued o…
Police & Fire
Police Shoot Sword-Wielding Resident In Wayne: Prosecutor
A Wayne resident armed with two swords is in stable condition after being shot by police on Friday night, Feb. 14, authorities said. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team responded to a home on White Birch Court around 9:55 p.m., Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. Wayne police had been dispatched to perform a welfare check when they encountered the suspect, armed with two swords, Valdes said. One Wayne officer discharged a service-issued firearm, striking the individual, according to the prosecutor. That individual was transported to the hospital …
Police & Fire
$32K Worth Of Heroin Seized In NJ Turnpike Drug Raid, Man Charged: Prosecutor
A 52-year-old Teaneck man was arrested and charged after he was found transporting $32,000 in heroin, which authorities said was seized from him along the NJ Turnpike in Mercer County. Officers began surveilling Edwin Vargas after receiving information he was transporting large quantity of narcotics into Hamilton Township near the Woodrow Wilson Service Area, Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey said. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11:30 a.m., law enforcement conducted a motor vehicle stop on a Kia Telluride driven by Vargas on the New Jersey Turnpike, Marbrey said. Vargas was detained…
Police & Fire
Final Ride: Paterson Motor Officer Laid To Rest, Honored With Special Sendoff
Former Paterson Police Officer Anthony DeSopo was honored with a heartfelt farewell on Thursday, Feb. 13, as colleagues and loved ones gathered to pay their final respects. The department shared powerful images of a solemn police procession, featuring DeSopo's former patrol bike—a touching tribute to his years of service. DeSopo, who retired in January 2024, tragically lost his life in a snowmobile accident in Pennsylvania on Friday, Feb. 7. He was 55 years old. Photos captured officers standing at attention, lining the city streets in salute as a black hearse, flanked by Paterson motor of…
Police & Fire
Threats Force NJ High School Into Lockdown Twice In One Day: Police
Westfield High School was forced into lockdown twice on Wednesday, Feb. 12, following threats on social media, authorities said. At 8:08 AM, officers responded to Westfield High School following reports of a potential threat through a conversation on a social media platform, Westfield Police Captain John Ricerca said. The school was placed under lockdown at 8:14 AM in order to properly assess the threat, Ricerca said. Out of an abundance of caution, all other schools in the district implemented a shelter-in-place protocol, Ricerca said. Following a search of the school, the threat was deeme…
Police & Fire
Search Underway For Three Hoboken Shooting Suspects, Police Say
Three suspects remain at large following a shooting in Hoboken last December, authorities said. At 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, two groups known to each other got into a dispute, resulting in shots being fired near the intersection of Fourth and Jackson Streets, a spokesperson for the Hoboken Police Department said. All involved parties dispersed the area immediately following the gunfire, authorities said. Elias Mercado, an 18-year-old Kearny resident was arrested and charged with criminal attempted murder for his role in the shooting, authorities said. He remains at the Hudson Coun…
Police & Fire
Bergen County Man Arrested In Florida Swattings, Sheriff Says
A 22-year-old Bergen County man was arrested last month after making swatting calls to police in Florida, authorities said. Maywood PD In August 2024, officers in south Florida responded to reports of shootings at two different residences, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said. One call said a person was shot in the chest and being held hostage, while another call said the caller, later identified as Justin Flavien, shot his sister, authorities said. Once on scene of both incidents, deputies determined the reports were unfounded and no one was injured, police said. Despite Flavien's effo…
Police & Fire
Newly Retired Paterson Officer Killed In Snowmobile Crash
The Paterson Police Department is mourning the loss of recently retired officer Anthony DeSopo, who was killed in a snowmobile accident in Pennsylvania on Friday, Feb. 7. He was 55 years old. DeSopo, of Totowa, and another man were riding snowmobiles on Lake Wallenpaupack in Pike County when they collided with the lake's rocky shoreline near Cove Road and North Hemlock Lane in Palmyra Township around 6 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police said. Both riders were ejected from their snowmobiles after striking large rocks and boulders. DeSopo was pronounced dead at the scene by the Pike County Coron…
Sports
Eagles Seek Revenge, Kendrick Ignites Halftime, Free Stream Offered: Your Super Bowl LIX Guide
America's biggest unofficial holiday is here and Super Bowl Sunday offers so much beyond what happens on the field inside the Caesars Superdome. The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs are set to kick off Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9. This showdown is a rematch of the NFL's 2023 championship game when the Chiefs beat the Eagles 38-35 at Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs have been slight betting favorites at -1.5 on most sportsbooks since the matchup was finalized. That's a reversal from when they were about two-point underdogs in Super B…
Police & Fire
Video Shows Route 17 Procession Escorting Body Of NJ Officer Steven Fernandez Home
The body of Ridgefield Park Police Officer Steven Fernandez was escorted back to New Jersey on Tuesday, Feb. 4, in a major procession along Route 17. Video captured by Boyd A. Loving shows Ridgefield Park Officer Steve Fernandez's body being escorted home Wednesday, Feb. 4. Boyd A. Loving Video of the procession was captured at the Route 17 Park & Ride in Ridgewood by Boyd A. Loving. The clip shows dozens of law enforcement vehicles traveling in the southbound lanes. The procession traveled along Route 17 through New York into New Jersey ending at approximately 4 p.m. Fer…
Police & Fire
Wanted PA Arsonist Attacks FBI Agent During NJ SWAT Standoff: Officials
A York, PA man wanted for arson is facing attempted murder and other charges after a tense standoff with law enforcement in Bergen County, NJ, during which he wielded a pickaxe and attacked an FBI agent, authorities announced on Monday, Feb. 3. Tyre (Tyrie) R. Dunn, 36, was arrested on Monday, Jan. 27, after an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Prosecutor Mark Musella, alongside the FBI and Lodi Police Department. Dunn, who was already wanted in Pennsylvania, fled from law enforcement and barricaded himself inside a shed attached to a private home on Stokes St…
Police & Fire
'Compulsive' Sex Offender, Inmate Escapes During Transport To Hospital In Newark: State Police
The New Jersey State Police are asking for the public’s help in locating registered sex offender Nicholas Voutsas, who authorities said escaped from custody while being transported to University Hospital in Newark on Thursday, Jan. 30. Voutsas, 25, escaped from a New Jersey Department of Health medical transport van at approximately 9 a.m. while en route to the hospital, State Police said. The New Jersey Human Services Police Department has charged him with escape, authorities said. Voutsas is a Tier 2 sex offender, which is described as a "repetitive, compulsive" offender on the NJ Sex Off…
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