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Wednesday, dec 11
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Wednesday, dec 11
Police & Fire
NJ Woman Confesses To Killing Toms River Man In Grisly Dismemberment Case: Prosecutors
A Seaside Heights woman has admitted to killing a Toms River man whose body was dismembered, authorities said. Elizabeth Mascarelli, 29, pleaded guilty on Monday, Dec. 9 to aggravated manslaughter, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. She was previously indicted on Thursday, Oct. 24 for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, hindering apprehension, desecration of human remains, and eight weapons charges. Mascarelli was among the four people charged in the killing of 56-year-old Kerry Rollason. Danielle Bolstad, 42, of Barnegat; Jared …
Police & Fire
Old Bridge Woman Gets 18 Years For Fatal Elizabeth Shooting: Prosecutor
A 44-year-old Old Bridge woman was sentenced to 18 years on prison on Friday, Dec. 6, for her role in a fatal shooting in Elizabeth in 2019, authorities said. Cheryle Lugo had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in October, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel, Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca and Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves said. On Oct. 25, 2019, Jamile Robbins, a 19-year-old Elizabeth resident was found with a gunshot wound at the Oakwood Plaza Apartments, authorities said. He was subsequently transported to a local area hospital where …
Police & Fire
Teaneck Drunk Driver Busted Following Pursuit: Denville PD
A 34-year-old Teaneck man was arrested and charged with drunk driving after leading Denville police on a pursuit on Saturday, Dec. 7, authorities said. Officers responded to Route 80 West and observed a vehicle driven by Daniel Hernandez-Gutierrez exhibiting behaviors indicative of drinking and driving, Denville police said. Hernandez-Gutierrez refused to stop and led police on a pursuit, officers said. Hernandez-Gutierrez eventually stopped and was removed from the vehicle and police determined he was under the influence of alcohol and/or narcotics, officers said. An expendable baton …
Police & Fire
Man Killed, Another Injured In Shooting During Argument Outside Trenton Bar: Police
A Ewing man died and another man was injured in an early morning shooting outside a Trenton bar, authorities said. Kristoffer Givens, 47, was shot and killed outside Al-Lee’s Bar and Lounge on Dickinson Street, Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa Hilton said in a news release. The shooting happened at around 1 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. Trenton police responded to a report of a shooting in progress. Officers learned an argument outside the bar escalated and several shots were fired. Givens was found about a block away on Olden Avenue suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to Cap…
Police & Fire
NJ Stepson's Brutal Hammer Assault Leaves Stepfather Critical: Prosecutor
A Woodbridge man is clinging to life after his stepson allegedly attacked him with a hammer, authorities announced on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Ronald Javier Polanco-Barrera, 22, is accused of striking his 48-year-old stepfather multiple times in the head at their Sherry Street residence, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Woodbridge Police Director Robert Hubner. Emergency responders were called to the scene around 6:42 p.m. and found the victim unconscious with blunt force trauma to his head, officials said. He was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospita…
Police & Fire
Two Football Coaches Among 6 Dead In Newark Wreck (
Update
)
The New Jersey high school football community is mourning the loss of two Hudson Catholic coaches who were among six people killed in a fiery crash in Newark over the weekend, officials said. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop confirmed in a statement on X that two of the victims were Hudson Catholic football coaches. They were later identified as head coach Lamar McKnight and assistant coach Brad Cunningham, according to various news outlets and high school sports teams. McKnight, a Jersey City native, took over as Hudson Catholic’s head coach last December. A standout athlete at Lincoln High …
Police & Fire
Woman Killed In Hit-And-Run, Driver Arrested: Middlesex County Prosecutors
A 57-year-old Elizabeth woman was fatally struck while crossing the street on her way home from work in Perth Amboy, authorities said on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Gladis Ruiz was hit by a 2010 Hyundai Sonata near Elm Street between Market Street and Riverview Drive at 6:20 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. The car fled the scene, and Ruiz later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Perth Amboy Police Chief Lawrence Cattano. Detectives from the Perth Amboy Police Department and Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office identified the driver as…
Police & Fire
PA Motorcyclist, 24, Killed In NJ Turnpike Crash: State Police
A 24-year-old motorcyclist from Pennsylvania was killed in a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike Friday night, Dec. 6, state police said. Troopers responded to the northbound inner roadway near milepost 77 in South Brunswick at approximately 7:48 p.m. following a report of a crash, officials said. A preliminary investigation revealed that Torbjorn Vetland, of Stroudsburg, PA, was riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound on the right shoulder when he struck the guardrail, causing the motorcycle to overturn. Vetland was ejected from the bike and died, state police said. The crash remains …
Police & Fire
Mass
Casualty
: Six Dead When Vehicle Goes Airborne, Catches Fire In Newark
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a devastating crash that left six people dead late Friday night, Dec. 6, in Newark, authorities said. UPDATE: Hudson Catholic Football Coaches Among Two Dead In Fiery Newark Crash The crash occurred at approximately 10:47 p.m. at the intersection of Raymond Boulevard and Blanchard Street. A vehicle carrying six individuals was traveling on Raymond Boulevard toward the Route 1&9 Southbound on-ramp when it veered off the roadway, became airborne, and struck a support column for the Pulaski Skyway, a spokesperson for the prosecut…
Police & Fire
Assault Weapons, High-Capacity Mags Seized From NJ Man Busted With 31K Child Porn Files: Cops
A former Bergen County parking enforcement agent found with more than 31,100 child pornography files last month was also found with a high-capacity magazine and assault riels, authorities said Friday, Dec. 6. A court-authorized search of Benjamin P. Ritter's Washington Township home on Thursday, Dec. 5 turned up the following, according to township police: Smith & Wesson AR 10 with folding stock and pistol grip Smith and Wesson AR 15 with folding stock and pistol grip Eighteen (18) 30 Round High–Capacity Magazines Six (6) 20 Round High–Capacity Magazines One (1) 25 Round High–Capacity …
Police & Fire
Romanian Duo Charged in $289K Bitcoin-For-Fake-Gold Cryptocurrency Scam In Bergen County
A year-long investigation has led to charges against two Romanian men accused of orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam involving fake gold and Bitcoin valued at approximately $289,000, and a Bergen County victim, authorities said. The suspects, 33-year-old Ciprian A. Tiber and 43-year-old Ahmed Zarei, remain at large and are believed to have returned to Romania following the alleged fraudulent transaction in September 2023, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced. The investigation began when Hasbrouck Heights police contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crime…
Police & Fire
Man Flashed Woman, Inappropriately Touched Her At Central Jersey Store: Prosecutors
A Hazlet man was accused of exposing himself to a woman and inappropriately touching her at a Middletown store, authorities said. Perry Mangano, 21, was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, fourth-degree lewdness, and fourth-degree stalking, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Dec. 6. Investigators said Mangano approached the woman inside the At Home store on Route 35 North at around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. He exposed himself and made physical contact with her. Middletown police arrested him after he returned to the store …
Police & Fire
Secret Rutgers Drug Network Exposed: Seven Arrested In Undercover Bust, Prosecutors Say
A covert social media network used by Rutgers University students to buy and sell drugs led to seven arrests following a months-long investigation, authorities said. The seven were arrested as part of the "Operation RU Pharm" investigation, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release on Thursday, Dec. 5. The undercover operation exposed a private social media network used by Rutgers students to distribute and purchase drugs. Investigators said they uncovered the online platform created by a former Rutgers student. Dealers posted menus of drugs for students w…
Police & Fire
Video Shows Unlicensed NJ Bartender's DUI Arrest After Crash
A New Jersey bartender is facing a slate of charges, including DUI and driving without a license, after police spotted her driving erratically following a crash she had been involved in last month, according to police papers obtained by Daily Voice. The 37-minute bodycam footage of the arrest, published by Transparency Bodycam, shows 33-year-old Melissa Hoffman’s erratic behavior during the field sobriety tests and her emotional outburst in the back of the patrol car during her arrest on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Those who know Hoffman, of Cranford, describe her as a dedicated pillar of the Cra…
Police & Fire
Somerset Man Stole $600K In Benefits Meant For Dead Father: Feds
A 66-year-old Somerset resident admitted to stealing over $600,000 in government benefits intended for his deceased father for more nearly two decades, authorities said. Steven Jones pleaded guilty to a charge of conversion of federal funds, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Jones’s father received federal retirement benefits before his death in October 2004, Sellinger said. Instead of notifying authorities, Jones falsified his father’s death certificate and orchestrated a scheme to continue receiving the payments, Sellinger said. On two occasions, Jones even had someone impersonate…
Police & Fire
Video Shows Van Explosion That Caused Gridlock On Main Morris County Roadway
Daily Voice has obtained footage of a van fire, including a minor explosion, that closed a Morris County intersection on Thursday, Dec. 5 (scroll for video). The incident occurred on Route 10 in Randolph near Denville, just past the Mount Pleasant Turnpike, and involved a painter’s van, according to Denville Police Capt. Scott Welsch. The van's driver had pulled over after noticing smoke and entered a nearby business to seek help, Welsch said. A passerby spotted the van in flames and called 911. When a Denville police officer arrived, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. The Denville …
Police & Fire
Undercover Prostitution Sting At NJ Spas Nets 4 Arrests, Nearly $9.5K Seized
Authorities dismantled a prostitution operation at two Passaic County spas, arresting four people and seizing nearly $9,500 in suspected proceeds, officials announced Wednesday, Dec. 5. The operation conducted on Tuesday, Dec. 3, began after concerned residents tipped off authorities about suspicious activities at the New Paterson Massage & Coco Healthy Spa on McBride Avenue in Paterson and the Eastern Cozy Spa on Overmount Avenue in Woodland Park, Sheriff Thomas Adamo said. Undercover detectives conducting surveillance at the locations reported being offered sexual acts, Adamo sai…
Police & Fire
Widow Of
Fdny
Lt. Who Died In Apartment Fire Located Hours After Going Missing
The Long Island widow of a late FDNY lieutenant who died in a double fatal fire decades ago was located hours after relatives reported her missing. Susan Blackmore, age 68, of South Farmingdale, had last been seen leaving her Plitt Avenue residence at around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, Nassau County Police said. At around 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, her sister Jeanne Santora informed her Facebook followers that Blackmore had been found and was safe. “Thank you everyone,” she wrote. No other details were given. News of Blackmore’s disappearance quickly gained traction on social media, where…
Police & Fire
Elderly Woman Critically Injured In Trenton House Fire, Neighbors Treated For Smoke Inhalation
An elderly woman was fighting for her life after a late-night fire tore through her Trenton home, leaving neighbors injured and displacing multiple residents, authorities said. The 89-year-old woman was critically injured in a house fire on Wednesday, Dec. 4, a Trenton Police Department spokesperson said. The blaze in the Howell Street home was reported at around 11:28 p.m. The fire also impacted a neighboring home, sending two adults and a child to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for smoke inhalation. Another adult from the home was displaced. The Red Cross is provi…
Police & Fire
Woman Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries In Jersey Shore Pedestrian Crash, Prosecutors Say
A pedestrian was severely injured after being struck by a vehicle in Howell Township, authorities said. The crash happened near the intersection of US Route 9 and Lanes Mill Road at around 5:17 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, Dec. 5. Howell Township police responded to the scene and found a 45-year-old woman from Lakewood had been hit by a vehicle while crossing the road. Investigators said a female driver was heading north in the left lane of Route 9 when the collision occurred. The driver stayed at the sce…
Police & Fire
Breaking
: Baby Found Dead In Wayne, Prosecutor Says
A 7-month-old baby was found dead in Wayne on Wednesday, Dec. 4, authorities said. Wayne police officers were called to Route 23 and Ratzer Road around 1:40 p.m. on reports of a deceased infant, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wayne Police Deputy Chief Joseph Rooney said. Upon arrival, the police located a possible crime scene and a 7- 7-month-old infant, who was subsequently pronounced dead. It was not immediately clear where exactly the harrowing discovery was made. The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes avail…
Police & Fire
Former NJ Corrections Officer Confesses To Beating Resident Who Died From Stroke, AG Says
A former New Jersey corrections officer admitted to assaulting a resident who died several days after the attack, authorities said. Giuseppe Mandara of Brick Township pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 3 to third-degree aggravated assault, Attorney General Matthew Platkin and the state's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability said in a news release on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Mandara confessed to attacking Darrell "Malik" Smith on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. Smith served more than 23 years in state prison on convictions for kidnapping and aggravated assault on a police officer. Man…
Police & Fire
Man Tries Carjacking Woman After GWB Crash, Found With High-Capacity Magazine:
Papd
A 26-year-old New Jersey man was arrested and charged after a two-car crash turned into an attempted carjacking on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 1, authorities said. A car with two men, including Frederick Antonio Castillo, crashed into another car, the New York Daily News reported, citing a source with Port Authority police. Castillo and the other man ran over to the woman's car and tried to open the doors, but she locked them, the Daily News said. One of the men was brandishing a firearm as he demanded the woman open the doors, the Daily News said. After failing to get in the car, Castillo …
Police & Fire
Man Killed By NJ Transit Train In Central Jersey, Line's Service Resumes (
Developing
)
A man was hit by a New Jersey Transit train and killed in Monmouth County, shutting down one rail line's service during the morning commute, officials said. North Jersey Coast Line train No. 3224 struck the man in Middletown at around 7:25 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, an NJ Transit spokesperson said. The pedestrian was hit at the Normandy Road bridge. None of the 120 customers and crew members on the train were injured. The train had left the Long Branch station at 7:10 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive at New York Penn Station at 8:41 a.m. North Jersey Coast Line rail service…
Police & Fire
Route 9 Pedestrian Crash, Property Damage Closes All Lanes (
Developing
)
A stretch of Route 9 was closed Tuesday night, Dec. 3 due to a pedestrian crash with property damage, officials said. The crash happened south of Lanes Mill Road in Howell around 9 p.m. All lanes were closed as of press time.
Police & Fire
4-Alarm Fire Rips Through Edison Senior Center, 1 Casualty Confirmed, Mayor Says
Firefighters were battling four-alarm blaze at an Edison senior center Tuesday night, Dec. 3, officials said. The fire broke out at the Inman Grove Senior Center, prompting a massive emergency response and resulting in at least one confirmed casualty, according to Mayor Sam Joshi. Firefighters from Edison, South Brunswick, Metuchen, and the Office of Emergency Management were at the scene and working to evacuate residents from the senior living facility. Mutual aid resources and helicopters have been called in to assist. "We are working on evacuating the building and have called in mutual …
Police & Fire
Violent NJ Human Trafficking Rings Dismantled Where Women, Teens Were Forced Into Sex: AG
Seven people have been arrested in the dismantling two human trafficking rings, one in North Jersey and one in South Jersey, authorities said. The rings were based in Essex County and Cumberland County, state Attorney General Matthew Platkin said at a news conference on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Khailah Meekins, 21 and Donte Barkley, 28, both Newark residents, trafficked two 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old in Essex County, Platkin said. Meekins and Barkley arranged sexual encounters for the girls through mobile apps that included online ads featuring nude photos of the minors. The girls would be…
Police & Fire
NJ
Ob-gyn
's License Suspended Amid Sexual Abuse Accusations By Two Patients: AG
A Mercer County OB-GYN had his medical license suspended after he was accused of sexually exploiting two longtime patients during routine exams, authorities said. The state Board of Medical Examiners has temporarily suspended the medical license of Dr. Bruce Pierce, Attorney General Matthew Platkin and the state Division of Consumer Affairs said in a news release on Monday, Dec. 2. Dr. Pierce worked at Delaware Valley OBGYN & Princeton Midwifery in Lawrenceville. His biography was removed from the practice's website as of press time. The doctor's suspension came after tw…
Police & Fire
NJ Hockey Player, 19, Dies In Fiery Route 80 Crash
A 19-year-old hockey player from Bergen County was killed after his car caught fire on Route 80 in Warren County on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 1, authorities said. At 8:21 p.m., a Hyundai SUV driven by Carmine Argenziano was traveling westbound on Route 80 in Hope Township when it veered off the right side of the roadway, hit multiple trees and then caught fire, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said. Argenziano died as a result of the crash, said Lebron, noting that the crash remains under investigation. Argenziano, who attended Nutley High School, was previousl…
Police & Fire
DNA Match Cracks 1997 NJ Murder Case, Suspect Arrested In Canada
After 27 years, authorities announced an arrest in a major Bridgewater cold case murder. Robert Creter, a 60-year-old Winnipeg, Manitoba resident was charged with the murder of Tamara "Tammy" Tignor, 23, of Newark, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said Monday, Dec. 2. Bridgewater police received a 9-1-1 call reporting the discovery of Tignor's body by a Bridgewater resident on a dirt access road that ended in a cul-de-sac off Gilbride Road near Washington Valley Park on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1997, McDonald said. An autopsy determined her death to be a homicide, authorities sai…
Police & Fire
Plainfield Man Gets Nearly One Year For Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor
A 39-year-old Plainfield man was sentence to 364 days in prison on Friday, Nov. 22 after previously being convicted of assaulting a North Plainfield police officer by dragging him on his dirt bike in April 2022, authorities said. Victor Ogando-Marte was driving an illegal dirt bike on Route 22 along with 15 to 20 others, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. The dirt bikers were driving recklessly by weaving in and out of traffic, popping wheelies and obstructing the passage of other vehicles, authorities said. Officer James Kirchner attempted to apprehend Ogando-Marte ne…
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