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Saturday, nov 30
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Law Enforcement
Politics
Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says
Several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet selections and administrative appointees were the targets threats the last two days, a spokesperson said, calling the acts "violent" and "un-American." According to a statement by the Trump-Vance Transition Team on Wednesday, Nov. 27, several individuals associated with the incoming administration were subjected to threats ranging from bomb scares to "swatting" incidents, in which false reports are made to dispatch emergency responders to someone's location. Law enforcement responded swiftly to ensure the safety of those targeted, the team s…
Police & Fire
Murder
: Man Beaten Dead, Found Behind Hudson County Building, Prosecutor Says
A Hudson County man who was found lifeless behind a building earlier this month has been confirmed as a homicide victim after investigators determined he was beaten to death, officials said. Reynaldo Gonzalez, 56, of Union County, was discovered unresponsive behind a building on 23rd Street on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at around 11 a.m., Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Responding officers pronounced him dead at the scene shortly after 11:30 a.m. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined on Wednesday, Nov. 26, that Gonzalez died from complications of blunt force injuries, Hudson County…
Police & Fire
'Welcome To Florida!' Sheriff Mocks NJ Swatting Caller Sentenced To Prison
A New Jersey man who made swatting calls to a Florida high school got more than his 15 minutes of fame: Two years behind bars. Brad Parga, of Guttenberg, who was 17 years old when he called in threats from the Garden State to Milton High School in Santa Rosa County on Feb. 14, 2022, said his reason for doing so was "to get on the news." On Nov. 14, 2024, Parga was sentenced to two years in the Florida Department of Corrections followed by three years of probation — and Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson didn’t miss the opportunity to give the cheeky update. "You know I'm about gran…
Police & Fire
AG IDs Man Who Plunged To His Death During Hudson County Police Pursuit
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has identified the man who died during a police encounter in Hudson County last week as a 26-year-old Texas man. Authorities on Friday, Nov. 22, named Brandon Lee Ortega as the individual who died following a foot chase with Guttenberg police on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The incident began around 11:02 p.m. when officers responded to 68th Street and Bellevue Avenue for a reported disturbance. Police were informed that one of the individuals involved, later identified as Ortega, was armed with a gun, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Guttenberg Pol…
Police & Fire
Dad Gets Five Years For Route 287 Road Rage Shooting With Kids In Car: Prosecutor
A 41-year-old Middlesex County dad was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday, Nov. 15 after being convicted of multiple charges in a road rage shooting on a Route 287 exit ramp in May 2023, authorities said. While driving in heavy traffic on Easton Avenue in Franklin Township by the Route 287 exit ramp, Gerald Chapman, a Highland Park residet, pulled alongside the victim's car and struck the passenger side mirror with his left hand, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. Chapman then drove behind and around to the driver's side of the vehicle, pulled out a handgun and fired two…
Police & Fire
Trenton Man Sentenced To Life For Violent Carjacking Spree That Seriously Injured 2, Feds Say
A Trenton man will spend the rest of his life in prison nearly seven years after a violent carjacking spree that left two victims with life-altering injuries, authorities said. Cedrick Hodges, 41, received his life sentence in Trenton federal court, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release on Wednesday, Nov. 20. He was found guilty on five counts after a seven-day trial on Thursday, Oct. 24. Sellinger said Hodges "terrorized" Hamilton Township on the night of Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. "The sentence handed down today will ensure that this violent offender will …
Police & Fire
NJ Corrections Officer Arrested On Child Porn Charges: Prosecutor
A New Jersey corrections officer has been arrested on child pornography charges, authorities said. Austin Metivier, 34, of Mount Holly, was taken into custody at the Burlington County Jail, where he works, and lodged at the Camden County Jail, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Pemberton Township Police Chief Jonathan Glass said. The investigation began last month after Pemberton Township police were informed that a hard drive belonging to Metivier contained child sex abuse material. A forensic examination of the hard drive later revealed that it contained multip…
Business
Cybersecurity Issue Hits Stop & Shop, Other Supermarkets, Parent Company Says
A cybersecurity “issue” has led the parent company of a supermarket chain to disconnect some systems to protect them. Ahold Delhaize USA said it recently detected a cybersecurity issue within its US network. "Immediately upon detecting the issue, our security teams began an investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts," the company said. "We also notified law enforcement." The move affects: Stop & Shop, which has around 400 locations in New England, New York, and New Jersey; Hannaford, with stores in eastern upstate New York and New England; Giant Company, with…
Police & Fire
NJ Teacher's Aide Slammed, Dragged Toddler At Montessori School: Prosecutor
A teacher’s aide at Apple Montessori School in Wayne has been charged with child abuse following an incident in which she allegedly assaulted a two-year-old in her care, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office announced. Meghan Hornidge, 19, of River Edge, was charged with fourth-degree abuse of a child and simple assault, stemming from an investigation conducted by the Special Victims Unit, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. The investigation began on Aug. 13, 2024, when the Prosecutor’s Office received a report that Hornidge had reportedly slammed and dragged the …
Police & Fire
Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials
A massive wildfire that scorched 350 acres in Jackson Township was ignited by an illegal shotgun round that authorities said was fired by a 37-year-old Brick Township man. Authorities charged Richard Shashaty, 37, with arson after an investigation revealed that magnesium shards from a prohibited Dragon’s Breath 12-gauge shotgun round sparked the blaze on Nov. 6, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. The fire, known as the Shotgun Wildfire, erupted shortly after noon on November 6 near the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road. Investigators determined that the incendi…
Police & Fire
Video
: Officers Rescue Driver Seconds Before SUV Erupts In Flames On Route 287
Two police officers' quick actions likely saved an unconscious 29-year-old New York driver from a wrecked car on Route 287, just seconds before it burst into flames. The Chevrolet SUV was heading south when he struck a Peterbilt tractor-trailer parked on the right shoulder at 4:20 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Charles Marchan said. "While Mahwah units were responding, dispatch updated that they were receiving additional 9-1-1 calls that the driver was still inside the burning vehicle and that witnesses were unable to extricate the driver," Mahwah Police Capt. Guido…
News
NJ Veteran Who Bragged About 'Manhandling' Cops At Capitol Riot Convicted, Feds Say
A New Jersey man who the NY Times says is a veteran of the U.S. Army has been found guilty of assaulting a police officer at the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Brian Glenn Bingham, 38, of Pennsville, has been found guilty of felony offenses of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia said on Tuesday, Nov. 4 — the day before Election Day 2024 (criminal complaint here). Bingham was also found guilty of misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or gro…
Police & Fire
Fifth Suspect Captured In NJ Detective's Home Invasion Killing, Prosecutors Say
A fifth person has been arrested in the violent home invasion that killed a Cumberland County detective, authorities said. Byron Thomas of Paulsboro was charged with two counts of first-degree murder among other offenses, the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Sgt. Monica Mosley, a detective sergeant with the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, was shot and killed in her Bridgeton home late at night on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Nyshawn Mutcherson, 29, of Vineland; Jarred Brown, 31, of Bridgeton; and Richard Hawkins Willis, 32, of Gl…
Police & Fire
Officer Kills Knife-Wielding Man In NJ Apartment Complex Stairwell: AG
A knife-wielding man in the stairwell of an apartment complex in Camden County was shot and killed by a police officer, authorities said. members of the Haddon Township Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding an attempted burglary in progress at an apartment complex located on West Crystal Lake Avenue in Westmont around 1:05 a.m., New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Shortly after arrival, officers encountered a male in the stairwell armed with a knife. During an interaction in the stairwell, an officer fired his service weapon, striking the male, Platkin said.&nb…
Police & Fire
Wayne Woman, 72, Made Bomb Threat That Locked Down Holy Name Medical Center: Prosecutor
A 72-year-old woman has been charged with calling in a bomb threat to Holy Name Medical in August, authorities said. Adele Ulrich, of Wayne, called the hospital on Aug. 17 saying that several bombs were going to detonate in the hospital, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said following a months-long investigation. The hospital was placed on divert, and a shelter-in-place order was implemented, bringing police officers, firefighters, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad to the scene. Ultimately, first responders determined that the call was a hoax, and no act…
Politics
PA Man Threatened To Shoot Donald Trump Ahead Of Rally: Affidavit
A man has been held without bail after threatening to shoot former president Donald Trump, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Paul J. Gavenonis, 74, of State College, was purchasing a commuter lot parking pass on Friday night, Oct. 25 so he could attend the Trump campaign rally at Bryce Jordan Center when the threats were made, police detailed in court documents. He is accused of making comments about climbing up a tall building, then gestured a gun-racking/loading motion and finally said: “I hate Donald Trump. I’d like to shoot that guy.” After witne…
Police & Fire
Two NJ Senior COs Charged With Sexually Assaulting Female Teen Inmate, AG Says
Two New Jersey corrections officers were accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a teen at a juvenile detention center, authorities said. Senior corrections officers William Young, 35, of Marlton, and Gary Nieves, 53, of Burlington City, were arrested and charged, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said at a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The officers were accused of assaulting the 18-year-old while assigned to the Juvenile Female Secure Care and Intake Facility in Bordentown. "I stand before you as the chief law enforcement of the state and the head of the Depar…
Police & Fire
Four Arrested In NJ Detective's Home Invasion Killing: 'Significant Step Toward Justice'
Four people have been charged for their roles in a violent home invasion that left a Cumberland County detective dead, authorities announced. Nyshawn Mutcherson, 29, of Vineland; Jarred Brown, 31, of Bridgeton; and Richard Hawkins Willis, 32, of Gloucester City, were each charged with first-degree murder, the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release on Monday, Oct. 28. Cyndia Pimentel, 38, of Paulsboro, was also facing charges in the case. Sgt. Monica Mosley, a detective sergeant with the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, was shot and killed in her Brid…
Police & Fire
Video Shows Vehicle Pulling Into Path Of Police Car In Deadly Sussex County Crash: AG
Video has been released in a crash involving a Franklin Borough police officer and a 19-year-old Sussex County woman who died as a result of it back in May. Sgt. William Grissom was driving southbound on Route 23 in Franklin when a black Honda Prelude pulled out of the ShopRite parking lot near Walsh Street on Monday, May 27 around 10:40 a.m., NJ Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Video shows the Prelude emerging from behind vehicles in traffic on the northbound side of the roadway, the attorney general's office said. The officer's dashcam, released Monday, Oct. 28 by Platki…
Police & Fire
Grand Jury Declines To Indict Police Officers In Fatal Shooting In Woodbridge: AG
Cranford police officers who fatally shot a Perth Amboy man on the Garden State Parkway in December 2023 will not face charges, the state attorney general's office announced Friday, Oct. 25. On Thursday, Dec. 28, officers from the Cranford Police Department were pursuing a stolen vehicle when it crashed in the area of Exit 131 on the Parkway southbound, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. After the crash, the driver of the vehicle, Kevin Harlfinger, exchanged gunfire with Cranford Police Officers Christopher Folinusz and Ryan McSharry, Platkin said. Harlfinger was pronounced d…
Police & Fire
Top
Njsp
Cop Investigated Over Antisemitic Remarks, AG Says
One of the New Jersey State Police Department's highest-ranking troopers is being investigated over remarks he allegedly made about the state's attorney general, the general himself confirmed. Matthew Platkin issued a brief statement about the investigation of Lt. Colonel Sean Kilcomons following a news report published by the New York Post, which alleges Kilcommons referred to Platkin as "that Jew." The Post claims the remark was made on "Bring Your Child to Work Day" on April 25, and that Kilcomons kept an NJSP helicopter in the air so that Platkin's son couldn't see inside of it. Th…
Police & Fire
Throngs Of Unruly Teens Break Up NJ Haunted Hayride Event, Police Say
About 200 teens and young adults caused chaos at a PTA-sponsored hayride in Collingswood, authorities said. The large group was dropped off by several vehicles on the outskirts of Knight Park on Saturday, Oct. 19, the Collingswood Police Department said in a Facebook post. The teens and young adults started fighting each other, ran recklessly through the crowd, and cut in line for the Haunted Hayride. Officers at the event broke up the unruly teens and other Camden County police departments were called in to help. "To ensure the safety of those in attendance, the decision was mad…
Police & Fire
NJ Police Officer John Paul Patrick Dies Weeks After On-Duty Medical Episode: Chief
The Springfield Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own. Officer John Paul Patrick suffered a medical episode while on duty on Oct. 6, which Chief John Cook said ultimately led to his passing on Monday, Oct. 21. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Patrick was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective. He is survived by a wife, two young children, a host of caring family members and colleagues. Officer Patrick joined the SPD in May 2007 after graduating from the Cape May County Police Academy. After spending the early part of his career as a patrol officer, Patrick was assigned as…
Politics
NJ Town's GOP Loser Had Help From Loser's Wife Secretly Record Mayor, Deputy Mayor: Officials
Two women, both with ties to one New Jersey town's local Republican party, have been charged with secretly recording conversations had between their rivals at a local restaurant, officials said. Christina Albrecht, 45, of Flemington, and Jacqueline Hindle, 49, of Whitehouse Station, are both facing charges for secretly recording conversations between Readington Township Mayor Adam Mueller and Deputy Mayor Vincent Panico in July at The Rail at Readington, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said. Albrecht is married to Hindle's running mate, former mayor Ben Smith, who ran agai…
Police & Fire
'Most Wanted' NJ Fugitive Captured After 14 Years To Remain Held Pending Trial
A 40-year-old fugitive captured 14 years after shooting a man in the face in Ocean County will remain held pending trial, authorities announced. Marciano Sanchez, who had been named to the "New Jersey's Most Wanted" list, was captured earlier this month in New York City, as previously reported by Daily Voice. On Thursday, Oct. 17, Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels ordered Sanchez jailed pending trial. Sanchez is suspected of shooting a man in the face at the Community First Aid building on Mantoloking Road on Monday, Nov. 29, 2010, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley B…
Police & Fire
Bergen County Top Cop Turned Private Investigator Busted With Child Porn: Prosecutor
The 69-year-old former chief of the Bergen County Sheriff's Department and now-private investigator has been arrested on child pornography charges, authorities said. Stephen Bojekian was charged after a search of his Franklin Lakes home on Thursday, Oct. 17, according to Bergen County Mark Musella. Investigators found that Bojekian "used the Internet to view, download, and possess items depicting nude and/or sexually explicit prepubescent and pubescent children," Musella said. He has been charged with third-degree possession of child pornography and lodged in the Morris County Jail. Bojek…
News
500 Tickets Issued, 30 Vehicles Of Toll Violators Impounded In Single Day At NJ Bridge
Police issued 500 summonses and impounded 30 vehicles of persistent toll violators and users of fake or obstructed license plates, officials said. The Oct. 15 operation was a collaboration between the Port Authority of NY/NJ Police, NYPD, and New York State Police, and more, which also netted six arrests. This was the first crackdown at Outerbridge Crossing, following previous operations at other regional crossings. Drivers who received summonses owed a total of $445,909 in unpaid tolls and fees. Vehicles were impounded for a variety of violations, including lack of registration …
Police & Fire
CNAs Attack Patient At Jersey Shore Rehab Center: Prosecutor
A pair of certified nursing assistants are accused of beating a patient now listed in critical condition at the rehabilitation center they worked at, authorities in Ocean County said. Dhenmark Francisco, 28, of Toms River, and Jovi Esperanza, 31, of Beachwood, were each charged with aggravated assault in connection with the Sunday, Oct. 14 attack at Crystal Lake Rehabilitation Facility in Berkeley Township, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. The Berkeley PD was contacted by officials at the Crystal Lake Rehabilitation Facility regarding a patient that had been assa…
Police & Fire
NJ Prosecutor's Office Detective Killed In Home Invasion: 'Truly Devastating'
A Cumberland County detective was shot and killed during a home invasion in Bridgeton, authorities said. Sgt. Monica Mosley, 51, died late at night on Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Bridgeton Police Department said in a news release. She was a member of the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office. Bridgeton police were called to a report of several people kicking in the door of a home on the 600 block of Buckshutem Road at approximately 10:30 p.m. Officers found Sgt. Mosley had been shot and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation led officers to Inspira Hospital and state troopers to…
News
Stuffed Puppy Brings Life Full Circle For
Papd
's First Hispanic Female Police Captain
His name is Bingo, and he's so much more than a toy puppy. The stuffed animal was gifted to Priscilla Sanchez when she was 10 by her older brother gifted her the stuffed toy as he prepared for deployment to Iraq. “I held onto that puppy every night," said Sanchez, 33, adding that the puppy became a symbol of her brother's sacrifice. “I knew I wanted to follow the same path.” This year, days before welcoming her third son, Sanchez was promoted to the Port Authority Police Department's first female captain of Hispanic heritage. And this time, Sanchez's sons wer…
Obituaries
College Track Star, Special Toms River Police Officer Dies After Tonsil Surgery
A Toms River police officer who was part of the department since she was a girl died after tonsil surgery, according to a fundraising campaign. Ingrid Rivera-Zuniga, 21, died on Saturday, Oct. 5, her obituary from Horizon Funeral and Cremation Services said. She was a Class I special law enforcement officer with the Toms River Police Department. According to a GoFundMe page, Rivera-Zuniga had a difficult recovery from tonsil surgery. She was hospitalized with meningitis and suffered two strokes. The GoFundMe had raised more than $29,700 from at least 453 donations as of Wednesday, Oct. 9. …
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