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Police & Fire
WANTED: Masked Gunman Stole $60K In Jewelry From Bayonne Shop, Took Rideshare To JC, Cops Say WANTED: Masked Gunman Stole $60K In Jewelry From Bayonne Shop, Took Rideshare To JC, Cops Say
Wanted: Masked Gunman Stole $60K In Jewelry From Bayonne Shop, Took Rideshare To JC, Cops Say Police in Bayonne are seeking the 24-year-old masked robber who they say made off with approximately $60,000 in jewelry from a Bayonne business before using a rideshare service to flee to Jersey City. The armed robbery happened Thursday, June 18, at Jewelry by Peter, located at 180 Broadway in Bayonne, where Tomani Johnston entered the store wearing a surgical mask, displayed what appeared to be a black handgun, and demanded $10,000 from employees, according to Bayonne Police Sgt. Kenneth Drago. Johnston then went behind the sales counter and took multiple pieces of jewelry valued at a…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
NJ Little League Prez Stole $73K From Youth Baseball Program: Prosecutor NJ Little League Prez Stole $73K From Youth Baseball Program: Prosecutor
NJ Little League Prez Stole $73K From Youth Baseball Program: Prosecutor The president of a Little League baseball association in New Jersey has been charged with stealing more than $73,000 from the organization over nearly three years, authorities said. Donald Petito, 42, of Freehold, was charged with third-degree theft by unlawful taking or disposition, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit began after a Monmouth County Crime Stoppers tip, authorities said. Investigators found that beginning in March 2022, Petito submitted fake rei…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Why Tesla Didn't Electrify CT Town Pool After Splashdown On Opening Day Why Tesla Didn't Electrify CT Town Pool After Splashdown On Opening Day
Why Tesla Didn't Electrify CT Town Pool After Splashdown On Opening Day Opening day at the Steve Benko Pool in New Canaan didn't go quite as planned.  Instead of swimmers diving in, a Tesla did. A now-viral video taken by Kristen Schilo of New Canaan Dogs shows firefighters hoisting the electric vehicle from the pool at Waveny Park after it crashed through a fence and plunged into the water Tuesday morning, June 16.  Multiple lifeguards and police officers entered the pool to help the driver out of the submerged vehicle, police said. He was the only person inside. Concerns about the pool becoming electrified appear to be unfounded. According to EV F…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Woman Found Dead In NJ Home After 3-Alarm Fire (UPDATE) Woman Found Dead In NJ Home After 3-Alarm Fire (UPDATE)
Woman Found Dead In NJ Home After 3-Alarm Fire (Update) A woman was found dead inside a South Bound Brook home after a three-alarm fire ripped through the property early Friday morning, June 19, authorities said. The fire broke out on Howard Avenue at approximately 3:46 a.m., according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Acting Chief of County Detectives Meredith McKay, and South Bound Brook Police Chief Douglas LaGrua. South Bound Brook firefighters and police responded to a 911 call reporting the blaze. Fire companies from Bound Brook, Community Fire, Somerset, Somerville, East Franklin, Elizabeth Avenue, Millstone Valley, Middlese…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
11 Undocumented Migrants Among 15 Charged In $1.4M Mass SNAP, Health Benefits Fraud Case: Feds 11 Undocumented Migrants Among 15 Charged In $1.4M Mass SNAP, Health Benefits Fraud Case: Feds
11 Undocumented Migrants Among 15 Charged In $1.4M Mass SNAP, Health Benefits Fraud Case: Feds A federal investigation uncovered a massive benefits fraud scheme that allegedly drained more than $1.4 million from taxpayer-funded programs in Massachusetts. The charges were announced Thursday, June 18, after a Homeland Security Investigations probe led to indictments against 15 suspects, including 11 people living in the country illegally and four U.S. citizens. According to the Department of Justice, the scheme involved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, MassHealth benefits, disability payments, unemployment benefits, and other public assistance programs. Feder…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Man Killed In Double Stabbing: Middlesex County Prosecutor Man Killed In Double Stabbing: Middlesex County Prosecutor
Man Killed In Double Stabbing: Middlesex County Prosecutor A man was killed and a woman is in critical condition after both were found stabbed in South River Thursday morning, June 18. At 10:01 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call of a disturbance on Kamm Avenue and a woman and unresponsive man with multiple stab wounds, Middlesex County Prosecutor Linda Estremera and South River Police Chief Mark Tinitigan said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene while the woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition, authorities said.  The investigation is active and continuing but there is no threat to the public, authorities said…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Brick Man Sold Cocaine That Led To Deadly OD: Prosecutor Brick Man Sold Cocaine That Led To Deadly OD: Prosecutor
Brick Man Sold Cocaine That Led To Deadly OD: Prosecutor A 31-year-old Brick Township man was arrested and charged with selling cocaine that led to a fatal overdose, authorities announced Thursday, June 18. At 9:10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, Brick Township police responded to a residence and found a 27-year-old woman dead from a drug overdose, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.  An investigation determined Roderick Seward had sold the woman cocaine, which caused her death, Billhimer said. Seward is charged with strict liability drug induced death, distribution of cocaine and possession of cocaine, Billhimer said.

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
NJ Police Sergeant Dies In Sleep, Leaving Family, Colleagues Heartbroken NJ Police Sergeant Dies In Sleep, Leaving Family, Colleagues Heartbroken
NJ Police Sergeant Dies In Sleep, Leaving Family, Colleagues Heartbroken The sudden death of an Englewood police sergeant has left his family, fellow officers, and the community mourning the loss of a man described as a dedicated officer, trusted friend, and devoted father. Sgt. Matthew DePetro died in his sleep following a medical event, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched by Englewood PBA Local 216. DePetro was a longtime member of the Englewood Police Department whose death came as a shock to colleagues and loved ones, organizers said. The campaign says DePetro took great pride in serving the community but was most devoted to his family. Organizer…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Teen Charged In Deadly Crash That Killed Piscataway Man: Prosecutor Teen Charged In Deadly Crash That Killed Piscataway Man: Prosecutor
Teen Charged In Deadly Crash That Killed Piscataway Man: Prosecutor A 19-year-old Bridgewater resident has been in charged following a fatal car crash in the township, authorities announced Wednesday, June 17. At 9:41 p.m., officers responded to Finderne Avenue near Van Veghten Drive and saw a two-car crash between a Honda and a Kia, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of County Detectives Meredith McKay and Bridgewater Township Chief of Police John Mitzak said. The Honda, driven by Dylan Baez, was travelling north when it crossed over the centerline into the southbound lane striking the Kia …

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Teen Tourist Killed When Central Park Carriage Horse Gets Loose: Police Teen Tourist Killed When Central Park Carriage Horse Gets Loose: Police
Teen Tourist Killed When Central Park Carriage Horse Gets Loose: Police An 18-year-old man died after falling from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park, police said. The incident happened near 71st Street and Center Drive at 2:47 p.m., according to the NYPD.  Officers were told the man had fallen from the carriage, police said. He was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to the NYPD. According to ABC7, the man was an 18-year-old tourist. Footage of the horse breaking free and being chased by the driver was shared to X by Gus Stalton, the managing editor of the West Side Rag. Here’s a video of the h…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Death Penalty Possible For Man Accused Of Killing National Guard Specialist Near White House Death Penalty Possible For Man Accused Of Killing National Guard Specialist Near White House
Death Penalty Possible For Man Accused Of Killing National Guard Specialist Near White House A man accused of carrying out a deadly ambush on National Guard members steps from the White House now faces new federal charges that could lead to the death penalty, prosecutors announced.  Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 30, an Afghan national, was charged in a 17-count superseding indictment filed in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, June 16, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. The new charges stem from the shooting that killed Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and seriously injured Sgt. Andrew Wolfe on Nov. 26. Beckstrom, a member of the West Virginia National Guard, was killed in the sh…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Scottish Soccer Fans Are Drinking US Bars Dry, Forcing Emergency Beer Deliveries Scottish Soccer Fans Are Drinking US Bars Dry, Forcing Emergency Beer Deliveries
Scottish Soccer Fans Are Drinking US Bars Dry, Forcing Emergency Beer Deliveries The British may have marched on Boston centuries ago, looking for a fight. This time, the Scots are here looking for a pint.  Scottish soccer fans have descended on Massachusetts for the World Cup, and in less than a week, they've helped drink some of the city's bars dry. The "Tartan Army" spent the past week filling restaurants and pubs, and in some cases helping empty beer taps across the city, according to NBC Boston. The fans took over the streets last weekend after Scotland claimed a 1-0 win over Haiti on Saturday and marched to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game on Sunday. Sam Ad…

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by Josh Lanier