Mugshots: Cops Seize $30K, Cartier Watch, Drugs In Twin Mahwah Busts, PD Says
More than $30,000 in cash and counterfeit bills were seized and six people were arrested in two separate investigations in Mahwah this month, police said.
The first incident happened on Wednesday, July 9 around 4:15 p.m., when Officer Timothy Knutelsky noticed suspicious activity behind a Route 17 hotel, according to Mahwah Police Capt. Michael Blondin.
Several signs of “criminal activity” were observed during a traffic stop, police said. Officers William Reardon, Greg Lehman, and Anthony LoFaro responded to assist, along with the Mahwah Police K-9 Unit.
A search turned up $19,090 in U.S. …
FBI Helps Bust Bogus Contractors Who Stole Half-a-million Dollars From Clifton: Cops
Two bogus contractors accused of stealing nearly $600,000 from the City of Clifton have been arrested and extradited to New Jersey, following a multi-year investigation by local police and the FBI, authorities said.
Robert J. Richard, 73, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and William A. McInteer, 58, of Brumley, Missouri, posed as a legitimate city vendor and diverted $592,757.43 into a third-party bank account that had no ties to the vendor or the city, Clifton Police Lt. Robert Anderson said.
The investigation began in September 2022, when Clifton city officials discovered a large fraudule…
Sex Slave Sting: Women Held In NJ Homes, Forced Into Brothels, AG Says
Eight people have been charged with racketeering and human trafficking for running a prostitution ring out of several homes in Trenton and Camden, authorities said.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced the charges on Tuesday, July 1, following a months-long investigation that began in May 2024. At least 15 victims were located during raids at five properties, investigators said.
According to the criminal complaints, Vilma Deleon Bracamonte, also known as “Janet,” 55, of Hamilton, and Maria Soledad Xec Chan, 42, of Trenton, were the alleged ringleaders. They face charges …
Newark Woman Hit With 29 Charges In $600K Real Estate, Rent Scam Spree
A Newark woman is facing nearly 30 charges for allegedly stealing more than $600,000 through a string of frauds across New Jersey, authorities said.
Joyce Kirkland, 59, was arrested at her home on the morning of Wednesday, June 25, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel said Friday. Kirkland was charged with 29 counts, including theft, money laundering, forgery, and criminal impersonation.
Prosecutors say Kirkland forged names on deeds, falsified documents, and stole from the State of New Jersey’s Emergency Rental Assistance Programs, taking more than $300,000. She also allegedly forged …
Perth Amboy Beauty Salon Owner Admits She Fraudulently Obtained Covid Loan: Feds
A 42-year-old Perth Amboy woman pleaded guilty on Wednesday, June 25, to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 loans and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits, authorities said.
Damaris Valerio, who owns and operates La Vogue House of Beauty, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said.
From April 2020 through December 2021, Valerio fraudulently obtained $194,212 in COVID-19 emergency relief funds, which were meant for distressed small businesses and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits for unemployed workers, by submitting false and fraudulent applica…
$5.6M Multi-State Fraud Scheme With 1K+ Stolen IDs Lands Pennsylvania Man Federal Charges: DOJ
A Pennsylvania man is accused of stealing over $5.6 million in pandemic aid using more than 1,000 stolen or fake identities, federal prosecutors announced on Monday, June 16.
Adepoju Babatunde Salako, 32, has been indicted in Colorado on multiple federal charges after allegedly orchestrating a nationwide COVID-19 benefits scam, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.
Salako faces six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and four counts of aggravated identity theft, according to t…
$46K, Drugs Seized In Hackensack Bust; Man Arrested, Police Say
A Hackensack man is facing serious charges after police say they uncovered a stash of drugs and $46,000 in cash during a motor vehicle stop and a search of his apartment.
On Wednesday, June 11, Detectives Michael Reo and Aaron Rios of Hackensack PD's Crime Suppression Bureau stopped a 2025 Ford Explorer on Route 80 west near East Kennedy Street, Police Chief Michael Antista said.
Inside the vehicle, officers found “a significant amount" of unregulated marijuana and cash, Antista said.
The driver, identified as Felix Molina, was arrested and taken to police headquarters. Later that nig…
Heroin, Cocaine: Pleasantville Man Arrested After K-9 Detects Drugs, AC Police Say
A 33-year-old Pleasantville man was arrested and charged after he was found to be in possession of heroin and cocaine in Atlantic City on Wednesday, June 4, authorities said.
At 4:40 p.m., officers conducted a motor vehicle stop at Kentucky and Drexel avenues, Atlantic City police said. A detective along with K-9 partner, Gee, arrived on scene and Gee detected drugs in the vehicle, police said.
Steven Young Jr. was removed from the vehicle after turning over the narcotics he had concealed in his pants, police said. Additional narcotics were found inside the vehicle, police said.
Detectives…
