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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
2-Alarm Fire Emits Heavy Smoke: Mount Arlington FD 2-Alarm Fire Emits Heavy Smoke: Mount Arlington FD
2-Alarm Fire Emits Heavy Smoke: Mount Arlington FD A two-alarm fire sent plumes of smoke into the sky in Mount Arlington Tuesday, June 16, authorities said. At 6:15 p.m., firefighters responded to a structure fire on Howard Blvd. and found heavy fire and smoke showing, Mount Arlington Fire & Rescue said. A second alarm was immediately tolled, requesting additional units to the scene, firefighters said. Firefighters stretched multiple companies as they worked to extinguish the fire that spread throughout the residence, fire officials said. All occupants were evacuated from the residence, firefighters said. The fire was eventually k…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
DWI Driver Found Asleep At The Wheel: Hackettstown PD DWI Driver Found Asleep At The Wheel: Hackettstown PD
DWI Driver Found Asleep At The Wheel: Hackettstown PD A 41-year-old Hackettstown man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, authorities announced Wednesday, June 17. Officers responded to a welfare check on Saturday, May 16, after receiving a report of a vehicle parked on a residential street with the driver appearing to be asleep, Hackettstown police said. Upon arrival, officers located a man, later identified as Margarito Tambonero Tlapala asleep behind the wheel with the keys in the ignition and an open alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle, police said. During the investigation, officers observed signs of impai…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Woman Dead, Teen Daughter Hospitalized In Route 23 Crash: Sources Woman Dead, Teen Daughter Hospitalized In Route 23 Crash: Sources
Woman Dead, Teen Daughter Hospitalized In Route 23 Crash: Sources A woman was killed and her teen daughter was airlifted with serious injuries in a three-vehicle crash involving a dump truck on Route 23 in Franklin Borough on Thursday morning, June 18, police and Daily Voice sources said. The crash happened shortly after 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Route 23 and Mabie Street, according to the Franklin Borough Police Department. Responding officers found the driver of a Ford SUV and a juvenile passenger suffering from apparent serious injuries, Police Chief Gregory Cugliari said. A preliminary investigation found the Ford SUV, occupied by an adult…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Bergen County Dyson Heist Suspect Arrested While Reporting To Parole Officer: Cops Bergen County Dyson Heist Suspect Arrested While Reporting To Parole Officer: Cops
Bergen County Dyson Heist Suspect Arrested While Reporting To Parole Officer: Cops A woman accused of stealing two Dyson vacuums from a Lowe's store in Bergen County was arrested while reporting to her parole officer, police said. East Rutherford police responded to Lowe's Home Improvement on June 3, for a reported shoplifting investigation, according to Capt. Jeff Yannacone. Store security showed officers surveillance video that captured a woman crawling under a secured locked enclosure and removing two Dyson vacuums, the captain said. The woman was then seen leaving the store without paying for the merchandise, police said. After an investigation, East Rutherf…

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by Cecilia Levine
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 Bridgewater Crash: Prosecutor Teen Charged In Deadly Bridgewater Crash: Prosecutor
Teen Charged In Deadly Bridgewater Crash: 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
Meetup To Sell Gaming PC Ends In Armed Robbery In Bergen County: Prosecutor Meetup To Sell Gaming PC Ends In Armed Robbery In Bergen County: Prosecutor
Meetup To Sell Gaming PC Ends In Armed Robbery In Bergen County: Prosecutor A social media meetup to sell a gaming computer ended in an armed robbery, leading to charges against two teenagers and a local woman in Bergen County, authorities said. Lodi police responded to the area of Church Street and Boyd Street in Lodi at approximately 11:41 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, after receiving a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The victim had arranged through social media to sell a gaming computer and was waiting in a vehicle when two suspects approached and began talking with them, Musella said. A short tim…

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by Cecilia Levine