Cop Killers Helped Run Multi-State Car Theft Ring Out Of Camden: AG
Thirteen people were arrested and charged with running a car theft ring out of Camden that involved the shooting death of a Philadelphia police officer, authorities announced Friday, Sept. 5.
Alex Vargas, a 27-year-old Camden resident and his brother Alexi Vargas, a 24-year-old Pennsauken resident, led a criminal enterprise which coordinated the theft of vehicles throughout New Jersey and his nearby states, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.
From July 2001 through January 2004, the Vargas brothers and their accomplices stole cars in Camden, Burlington, Somerset, Bergen,…
$4.5M Ministry Purchase Secures Somerset Property
Pillar Plaza, a non-profit ministry in Somerset County has purchased an office property in Somerset for $4.5 million, Bussel Realty Corp. announced.
The 84,325 square foot office property is located at 80 Cottontail Ln., off Exit 5 on Route 287, Bussel Realty said. The property consists of 85,425 square feet of modern office space, with 329 surface and covered parking spaces. The property was purchased through Ten-X, an online platform specializing in commercial real estate auctions.
Pillar Plaza, affiliated with Pillar Ministries, has had a presence in Somerset County for o…
Stolen Handgun, Heroin, Cocaine: Dunellen Man Arrested, Prosecutors Say
A 38-year-old Middlesex County man was arrested and hit with numerous drugs and weapons charges following a monthslong investigation, authorities announced Friday, Aug. 22, authorities said.
On Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 6:20 p.m., law enforcement conducted a search warrant at Pablo Hernandez-Garcia's Dunellen residence, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Ch…
10,000 Without Power Due To Storm: See Rainfall Totals In NJ So Far
Torrential downpours and flash flooding triggered widespread power outages and traffic disruptions across New Jersey on Thursday, July 31.
As of 9 p.m., more than 10,000 residents were without power.
PSE&G reported:
2,812 outages in Middlesex County, including 2,680 in Woodbridge
883 outages in Somerset County, mostly in North Plainfield
JCP&L reported more than 7,000 outages in Ocean County, including:
5,129 in Manchester
995 in Ocean Gate
586 in Berkeley Township
Utility crews were working through the night to restore power as the storms continued into the evening.
As of 8:50…
Fugitive: North Plainfield Man Charged With Sexual Assault At Large, Prosecutor Says
A 45-year-old North Plainfield man wanted for sexual assault is at large, authorities announced Tuesday, July 29.
On Sunday, July 20 at 2:07 a.m., officers responded to a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by a man while walking home on Manning Avenue in North Plainfield, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and North Plainfield Chief of Police Alan McKay said.
The woman attempted to flee but the suspect, later identified as Oscar Vasquez Barraza, caught up to her and sexually assaulted her…
Truck Hauling Pesticide Overturns On Route 78: Njsp
A truck hauling pesticide overturned on Route 78 in Somerset County Saturday morning, July 19, authorities said.
At 6:20 a.m., a tractor-trailer was traveling west on Route 78 when it lost directional control, causing it to run off the road, strike an exit sign and light pole and overturn, Charles Marchan, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said.
The truck was hauling carbonate pesticide, Marchan said. Somerset County Hazmat and Warren Twp. Fire Department responded and unloaded the material, Marchan said.
Minor injuries were reported an the scene, and all lanes were closed and tr…
Plainfield Victim, 25, Killed By Violent Storm Was Coming Home From Work, Campaign Says
Support is pouring in for the family of Bryan Ernesto Valladares, one of the three victims killed during Thursday’s violent thunderstorm in New Jersey/.
As of Saturday, July 5, more than $4,400 had been raised on a GoFundMe to help send the 25-year-old Plainfield man's body back to his home country of El Salvador and support his grieving family.
Bryan, described as a hard-working young man, was driving home from work around 6:56 p.m. on July 3 when a tree collapsed onto his vehicle, campaign organizer Yoselin Melendez wrote.
“Bryan, only 25 years old, tragically lost his life when a tree f…
NWS Confirms 80 MPH Winds In NJ Storm That Left 3 Dead
The National Weather Service says the severe storm that struck parts of Central Jersey Thursday, July 3, packed winds as strong as 80 miles per hour and caused widespread damage across multiple towns.
In a public information statement issued Friday afternoon, July 4, the NWS confirmed that the destruction — which caused three deaths — was caused by “straight-line winds and downbursts.”
The storm hit Somerset and Middlesex counties just after 6 p.m., tearing through North Plainfield, South Plainfield, Green Brook Township, Bound Brook, and Metuchen, the NWS said.
“Based on photos shared wit…
Three Killed In New Jersey As Storm Uproots Trees, Crushes Cars, Flattens Homes
A violent thunderstorm that ripped through New Jersey Thursday night, July 3, left three people dead — including a Middlesex woman, a 79-year-old man, and a 25-year-old Plainfield resident — and caused widespread destruction across Union and Somerset counties, officials said.
Storm photos in Edison below (scroll for fatal incidents).
Yesterday’s strong thunderstorm caused many wires, countless trees, branches and other debris to come down but... Posted by Mayor Sam Joshi on Friday, July 4, 2025
North Plainfield:
At around 6:30 p.m., a 44-year-old Middlesex woman was driving a 2018 …
Stabbing Suspect Rams Montgomery Twp Cop Car, Leads Pursuit Through 3 Towns: Prosecutor
A North Carolina man stabbed a New Jersey resident, then fled the scene in a red SUV, sparking a police pursuit that stretched through three towns Monday, June 16, authorities said.
Brian Pyke, 65, of Calabash, NC, was arrested after allegedly stabbing a man on Willow Run Lane in Montgomery Township (Somerset County) around 1:32 p.m., according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
Montgomery Police officers arrived on the scene along with Montgomery EMS and provided emergency care to the victim, McDonald said.
The man suffered stab wounds to the shoulder and abdomen and was rush…
Man Beat Husky With Saw Blade After It Got Loose From Car In Franklin Twp: Cops
A man is facing a long list of charges after he was caught on camera brutally beating a dog in Somerset County, then fleeing police during a wild pursuit, authorities said.
Dennis Storey, 62, of Perth Amboy, was arrested Tuesday, June 10, and is being held in the Morris County Jail, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. On Monday, June 16, a judge ordered him detained pending trial.
The alleged incident happened Saturday, June 7, around 7:18 p.m., when Franklin Township Police received a 9-1-1 call about an act of animal cruelty near Somerset Street, McDonald said.
Witnesses to…
Ghost Gun, Uzi Seized In Somerset County Raid: Two Elizabeth Men Busted, Prosecutor Says
Two Elizabeth men were arrested and charged after numerous firearms were found at their residences, authorities announced on Monday, June 2.
On Wednesday, May 7, at 8:30 p.m., the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task force, along with members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other law enforcement agencies conducted a search warrant at two residences in Elizabeth, located on Magnolia Avenue and Murray Street, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said.
The searches led to the seizure of eight handguns, includi…
Child Porn, Ecstasy, Mushrooms: 23-Year-Old Raritan Man Behind Bars, Prosecutor Says
A Central Jersey man is facing charges after authorities say he was found with child sexual abuse material and drugs, authorities announced.
Joseph Vega Ramirez, 23, was arrested on Tuesday, May 13, following a search of his Raritan home, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said on Friday, May 23.
The investigation began when the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force alerted Somerset County officials to a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip reported “the upload of several files depicting the sexual abuse a…
