Tag:

Westfield, NJ

Bodycam Footage: Uber Eats Driver Masturbated In Front Of Minors In Westfield, Cops Say Bodycam Footage: Uber Eats Driver Masturbated In Front Of Minors In Westfield, Cops Say
Bodycam Footage: Uber Eats Driver Masturbated In Front Of Minors In Westfield, Cops Say Newly-released bodycam footage shows the arrest of a Brooklyn man working as an Uber Eats driver who was arrested after police said he exposed himself to juveniles in New Jersey last March. Givi Khomeriki, 35, was arrested on Quimby Street in Westfield around 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, Westfield police papers show. A video of the arrest, posted to YouTube by Transparency Bodycam, shows officers confronting Khomeriki and taking him into custody.  Off the bat, there was a major language barrier. Khomeriki told officers he did not speak English, only Georgian, and used his phone to t…
Claire's Closing Three CT Stores, 290+ Nationwide After Bankruptcy Filing: See Which Ones Claire's Closing Three CT Stores, 290+ Nationwide After Bankruptcy Filing: See Which Ones
Claire's Closing Three CT Stores, 290+ Nationwide After Bankruptcy Filing: See Which Ones Claire's has revealed nearly 300 of its stores that will be closing as the popular mall brand navigates bankruptcy. The well-known children's jewelry and ear-piercing retailer released a list of the 291 locations that are shuttering in a bankruptcy court filing on Monday, Aug. 25. That includes 71 Claire's and Icing stores across the Northeast. The closures add to the financial pressure facing the mall chain, which filed for bankruptcy earlier in August. Claire's is working to restructure nearly $500 million in debt by December 2026, Bloomberg reported. Columbia, Maryland-based Ames W…
Bergen County Town Ranks Among Richest, Safest In America Bergen County Town Ranks Among Richest, Safest In America
Bergen County Town Ranks Among Richest, Safest In America If you live in one of these towns, you’re not just doing well — you’re doing really well. Several communities in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia have been named among the safest and richest cities in America for 2025, according to new research from GOBankingRates. The ranking looked at the top 50 cities nationwide with sky-high household incomes, low crime, and enviable livability scores. Data came from the U.S. Census, Zillow home values, Sperling’s BestPlaces cost-of-living indexes, and FBI crime stats. Only towns with a livability index above 80 ma…
America’s 50 Wealthiest Suburbs Ranked: East Coast Enclaves Dominate The List America’s 50 Wealthiest Suburbs Ranked: East Coast Enclaves Dominate The List
America’s 50 Wealthiest Suburbs Ranked: East Coast Enclaves Dominate The List The richest suburbs in America have been named — and the East Coast is cleaning up. A new GOBankingRates report finds that New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and Virginia communities are holding their own (and then some) among the country’s priciest and most prosperous addresses. For the second year in a row, Scarsdale, NY wore the crown. The leafy Westchester enclave boasts an average household income of $601,193 in 2023 — up 2.2 percent from the year before — and home values pushing past $1.2 million. Not far behind was Rye, NY, where the average household brings in $421,259 an…
Wrong Way DUI Perth Amboy Driver Involved In Crash That Killed Cyclist: Police Wrong Way DUI Perth Amboy Driver Involved In Crash That Killed Cyclist: Police
Wrong Way DUI Perth Amboy Driver Involved In Crash That Killed Cyclist: Police A 20-year-old Perth Amboy driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in the death of a 71-year-old Kenilworth cyclist in Westfield on Monday, Aug. 4, authorities said. At 9:54 a.m., Anthony Velazquez was driving a 2016 Acura IDX east on West North Avenue when he entered the opposite lane of travel and crashed into a 2022 Ford Transit van traveling west, Westfield police said. The crash caused the Ford to overturn and onto the cyclist, who was traveling west on his bicycle along the side of the roadway, police said. The bicyclist, who has not been identified, was prono…
Kenilworth Man Fatally Struck By Vehicle: Westfield PD Kenilworth Man Fatally Struck By Vehicle: Westfield PD
Kenilworth Man Fatally Struck By Vehicle: Westfield PD A 71-year-old Kenilworth man was fatally struck by a vehicle in Westfield on Monday, Aug. 4, authorities said. At 9:54 a.m., officers responded to the 1000 block of W. North Avenue and found the cyclist with traumatic injuries, Westfield police said. The cyclist, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.  The crash remains under investigation, police said.
Raccoon Bites Two People In Westfield, Rabies Alert Issued Raccoon Bites Two People In Westfield, Rabies Alert Issued
Raccoon Bites Two People In Westfield, Rabies Alert Issued A racoon bit two people in Westfield, authorities announced Tuesday, July 22. The incidents occurred on the 400 block of 1st Avenue and the 700 block of Scotch Plains Avenue, the Westfield Health Department said in a public health alert. The raccoon may be infected with rabies, and officials urge residents in this area to stay alert. Suspicious animal behavior includes any animal that appears disoriented and confused, has difficulty walking, or is aggressive. If residents observe any animal with these behaviors, it should immediately be reported to the Westfield Police Department at 908-7…
State Of Emergency: House Struck By Lightning, Hundreds Without Power In Bergen County State Of Emergency: House Struck By Lightning, Hundreds Without Power In Bergen County
State Of Emergency: House Struck By Lightning, Hundreds Without Power In Bergen County New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency Monday evening, July 14, as storms swept through the state. At 8:45 p.m., NJ Transit announced major impacts across multiple rail lines due to weather-related conditions.  Severe flooding left cars underwater with drivers stranded, and thousands without power. Some of those areas include Route 22 in Scotch Plains, local streets in Cranford, Edgewater, and Teaneck, Route 287, and Route 78. Our crews were on the scene in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, where they witnessed a dramatic water rescue unfold.A flash flood warning i…
VIDEO: 'Screaming Banshee' Predicted Her Own Fate In Westfield Arrest Months Before Fatal Crash VIDEO: 'Screaming Banshee' Predicted Her Own Fate In Westfield Arrest Months Before Fatal Crash
Video: 'Screaming Banshee' Predicted Her Own Fate In Westfield Arrest Months Before Fatal Crash A New Jersey woman charged in a fatal drunk driving crash near the MIT campus in Massachusetts made what appears to be a chilling prediction about her own future during a 2024 arrest in Westfield, newly released police bodycam footage shows. Lauren Mullins, 32, of Roselle Park, NJ — whose LinkedIn page shows she works as a law clerk — was charged in March 2025 with operating under the influence of liquor and negligent operation of a motor vehicle after police say she struck and killed 73-year-old pedestrian Daniel O’Neil near MIT on March 21. Lauren Mullins was arrested in Hoboken Ja…
$900K Covid Loan Fraud, Westfield Man Learns Fate: Feds $900K Covid Loan Fraud, Westfield Man Learns Fate: Feds
$900K Covid Loan Fraud, Westfield Man Learns Fate: Feds A 54-year-old Westfield man was recently sentenced to two years in prison after he fraudulently obtained a Payroll Protection Program loan for $900,000, authorities said. Joseph McKeon pleaded guilty last November in Newark federal court to wire fraud and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said. From February 2021 through February 2022, McKeon submitted fraudulent PPP loan and forgiveness applications for $900,000 on behalf of a New Jersey company he owned, Habba said. In support of those applications, McKeon lied about the number of employees the business employed and the income t…
$783K Lotto Ticket Sold In Westfield $783K Lotto Ticket Sold In Westfield
$783K Lotto Ticket Sold In Westfield It was a sensational Saturday for a lottery player in Union County. A Jersey Cash 5 ticket sold in Westfield matched all five numbers in the drawing held on Saturday, May 3, winning $783,159.  The ticket was sold Westfield Mini Mart on South Avenue East. The winning numbers were 03, 13, 15, 25 and 32. The XTRA was 03 and the Bullseye was 03.
New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime
New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime Gov. Phil Murphy signed into legislation this week a new law that establishes criminal and civil penalties for producing and distributing deceptive audio or visual media, a.k.a. deepfakes. A3540/S2544, which had bipartisan support, makes it a crime in the third degree for anyone who produces deepfake audio or video media for an unlawful purpose or shares deepfakes created for an unlawful purpose. The creator or distributor could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $30,000 if convicted. Francesca Mori, a student at Westfield High School, has become a staunch advocate for legislati…
Threats Force Westfield High School Into Lockdown Twice In One Day: Police Threats Force Westfield High School Into Lockdown Twice In One Day: Police
Threats Force Westfield High School Into Lockdown Twice In One Day: Police Westfield High School was forced into lockdown twice on Wednesday, Feb. 12, following threats on social media, authorities said. At 8:08 AM, officers responded to Westfield High School following reports of a potential threat through a conversation on a social media platform, Westfield Police Captain John Ricerca said. The school was placed under lockdown at 8:14 AM in order to properly assess the threat, Ricerca said. Out of an abundance of caution, all other schools in the district implemented a shelter-in-place protocol, Ricerca said. Following a search of the school, the threat was deeme…
Video Shows Unlicensed Westfield Bartender's DUI Arrest After Crash Video Shows Unlicensed Westfield Bartender's DUI Arrest After Crash
Video Shows Unlicensed Westfield Bartender's DUI Arrest After Crash A New Jersey bartender is facing a slate of charges, including DUI and driving without a license, after police spotted her driving erratically following a crash she had been involved in last month, according to police papers obtained by Daily Voice. The 37-minute bodycam footage of the arrest, published by Transparency Bodycam, shows 33-year-old Melissa Hoffman’s erratic behavior during the field sobriety tests and her emotional outburst in the back of the patrol car during her arrest on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Those who know Hoffman, of Cranford, describe her as a dedicated pillar of the Cra…
Westfield Man Admits To Defrauding COVID Relief Fund Of $900K: Feds Westfield Man Admits To Defrauding COVID Relief Fund Of $900K: Feds
Westfield Man Admits To Defrauding COVID Relief Fund Of $900K: Feds A 66-year-old Westfield man recently admitted to fraudulently obtaining a $900,000 PPP loan during the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities said.  Joseph McKeon applied for PPP loans on behalf of his New Jersey company, falsely claiming a higher number of employees and inflated payroll figures, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said. To support his claims, McKeon submitted forged documents, including bank statements and tax returns, Sellinger said. McKeon withdrew significant amounts of cash and transferred portions of the money, including a $315,504 transaction to an Indiana title company, Selli…
Trump Taps NJ Billionaire High School Dropout To Helm NASA: Meet Jared Isaacman Trump Taps NJ Billionaire High School Dropout To Helm NASA: Meet Jared Isaacman
Trump Taps NJ Billionaire High School Dropout To Helm NASA: Meet Jared Isaacman Jared Isaacman, a North Jersey high school dropout who founded a billion-dollar company, has been nominated to be the new administrator of NASA. President-elect Donald Trump announced Isaacman's nomination in a post on his Truth Social account. "Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in space science, technology, and exploration," Trump wrote. " Over the past 25 years, as the Founder and CEO of Shift4, Jared has demonstrated exceptional leadership, building a trailblazing global financial technology company. Jared’s pass…
'Was This Leaked?' Millburn Deli Reacts To Rumored New Location 'Was This Leaked?' Millburn Deli Reacts To Rumored New Location
'Was This Leaked?' Millburn Deli Reacts To Rumored New Location Jersey City is about to get a taste of Millburn Deli. The local legend had its plans leaked — here’s what they said next. Millburn Deli, the beloved sandwich institution known for its iconic Sloppy Joes, has officially confirmed it will be opening a location in Jersey City — but not without a twist. In a cheeky Facebook post, the deli responded to leaked details of its expansion plans with humor and surprise on Thursday, Nov. 21: "Guess this is our official announcement… Jersey City coming 2025," the post read, referencing how the news had surfaced ahead of their intended reveal. The leak…
New Rankings: Best Public High Schools In Union County New Rankings: Best Public High Schools In Union County
New Rankings: Best Public High Schools In Union County Niche has released its list of the best public high schools in America for 2025. The rankings are based on "rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Factors include teacher quality, high school ratings, college readiness, state test scores, and graduation rates (click here for more on methodology). Here are the top 10 best high schools in Union County, according to Niche. 1. Union County Magnet, Scotch Plains 2. Academy for Information Technology, Scotch Plains 3. Academy for Allied Health Scien…
BMW, Porsche Stolen From Home In Westfield: Police BMW, Porsche Stolen From Home In Westfield: Police
BMW, Porsche Stolen From Home In Westfield: Police Two luxury vehicles were stolen in a residential burglary in Westfield on the early morning of Monday, Sept. 30, police said. At 2:46 a.m., officers received a 9-1-1 call from a resident reporting a 2024 BMW X7 was stolen from their driveway on the 100 block of East Dudley Avenue, Westfield police said in a release. Officers determined three people forced their way into the residence while wearing hoods and masks, and also stole a 2022 Porsche Macan, police said. After taking the car keys, the three suspects fled through the front door, police said. The vehicles parked outside were the inte…
Delivery Driver Busted With Firearm In Westfield, Police Say Delivery Driver Busted With Firearm In Westfield, Police Say
Delivery Driver Busted With Firearm In Westfield, Police Say A 24-year-old Brooklyn woman was arrested and charged in Westfield while delivering food for unlawfully possessing a firearm on Sunday, Sept. 15, authorities said. A license plate recognition camera picked up a 2008 black BMW 328i bearing a New York registration entering Westfield, Westfield police said in a release. The vehicle was involved in a shooting that occurred in Jersey City a day before and was believed to be armed, police said. The driver, Rianna Williams, was taken into custody at Carol Road and Lynn Lane and an investigation ensued, police said. She was working as a driver for …
Charges Upgraded For 20-Year-Old Man After Pedestrian Dies In WNY Hit-Run Crash Charges Upgraded For 20-Year-Old Man After Pedestrian Dies In WNY Hit-Run Crash
Charges Upgraded For 20-Year-Old Man After Pedestrian Dies In WNY Hit-Run Crash Charges were upgraded for two people arrested in a hit-and-run crash after the victim died over the weekend, authorities in Hudson County said. Samuel Collazo, a 20-year-old Westfield resident, was identified as the driver of the motorcycle that struck Angel Guzman Morales, 54, of Union City, last Saturday, Aug. 17, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Collazo was initially charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a crash resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim, receiving stolen property, and unlawful taking, Suarez said. After Morales died on Saturday,…
Two Charged In West New York Hit, Run Crash That Critically Injured Pedestrian: Prosecutor Two Charged In West New York Hit, Run Crash That Critically Injured Pedestrian: Prosecutor
Two Charged In West New York Hit, Run Crash That Critically Injured Pedestrian: Prosecutor Two people were arrested and charged on Wednesday, Aug. 21, following a hit-and-run motorcycle crash in West New York that critically injured a pedestrian last Saturday, Aug. 17, authorities said. At 3:40 p.m., West New York police responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a motorcycle on Bergenline Avenue and 57th Street and found the victim with life-threatening injuries, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. The occupant of the motorcycle fled the scene on foot, Suarez said.  The victim, a 54-year-old Union City resident, is in critical condition in a nearby hospital, …
1950 Originals Expands To Westfield 1950 Originals Expands To Westfield
1950 Originals Expands To Westfield 1950s Originals is continuing to establish its footprint as the hot dog joint of North Jersey. Dan DeMiglio, owner of the Westwood eatery, announced his shop will be expanding into Westfield, with an opening date set for sometime next month. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Burgers, Dogs & Fries (@1950originals) "It’s a proud moment for our entire team," DeMiglio said. "A huge thanks to everyone who’s been with us on this journey.  "Bringing co-owner Chef Danny’s recipes and our Beef Tallow tastebud magic to such an arti…
Child Injured After Daycare Evacuated When Ceiling Tile Falls: Westfield FD Child Injured After Daycare Evacuated When Ceiling Tile Falls: Westfield FD
Child Injured After Daycare Evacuated When Ceiling Tile Falls: Westfield FD A child suffered a minor injury after the Westfield Day Care Center had to be evacuated after a ceiling tile fell on the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 1, authorities said. At 1:25 p.m., firefighters responded to a report of a roof collapse at the day care located inside Redeemer Lutheran Church at 229 Cowperthwaite Pl. and found a small drip tray from a roof mounted air conditioning unit had leaked and caused a ceiling tile and the drip tray to fall, the Westfield Fire Department said in a release.  The children were relocated to the Roosevelt School, firefighters said. The Westfield Vol…
Eric Bernstein, CEO of Berkshire Furniture, Dies At 55 Eric Bernstein, CEO of Berkshire Furniture, Dies At 55
Eric Bernstein, CEO of Berkshire Furniture, Dies At 55 Eric Bernstein, the CEO of his Berkshire Furniture and a Westfield resident, died on Thursday, July 25, at the age of 55, according to his obituary by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel. Berkshire Furniture, based in Springfield, is a family business that has been passed down through four generations, Bernstein's obituary reads. Bernstein also served as president of the New Jersey/New York Furniture Association in 2017, according to his obituary. Yesterday the we lost a special friend, partner and leader. Eric Bernstein, president of Berkshire Furniture , and..…
Home Explosion Rocks Quiet North Jersey Neighborhood Home Explosion Rocks Quiet North Jersey Neighborhood
Home Explosion Rocks Quiet North Jersey Neighborhood An unoccupied home in Westfield was destroyed following a fiery explosion on Monday evening, July 29, authorities said. At 10:15 p.m., firefighters responded to a home on the 100 block of Tudor Oval and found the structure ablaze with evidence of an explosion, the Westfield Fire Department said in a release. Debris was scattered around the area, firefighters said. Firefighters said they transported a second alarm at 10:23 p.m., requesting additional units to assist with containing the blaze. A third alarm was transmitted at 10:38 p.m., firefighters said. Police evacuated nearby homes, fire…
Former CFO From Westfield Gets Five Years For Stealing Millions From Law Firm: AG Former CFO From Westfield Gets Five Years For Stealing Millions From Law Firm: AG
Former CFO From Westfield Gets Five Years For Stealing Millions From Law Firm: AG A 61-year-old Westfield resident was sentenced on Friday, July 26, to five years in prison after he admitted to embezzling over $1.5 million from the law firm where he worked as chief financial officer, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said. John Dunlea was the CFO at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, a national law firm based in Morristown, Attorney General Matthew  Platkin said. Between 2017 and 2022, Dunlea misappropriated funds from the firm by paying himself $1.2 million. He also rung up $355,256 in charges on the company credit card, paying for flights, hotels a…
8K+ Without Power Amid Another Round Of Storms In New Jersey 8K+ Without Power Amid Another Round Of Storms In New Jersey
8K+ Without Power Amid Another Round Of Storms In New Jersey More than 8,000 New Jersey residents were without power amid another round of storms on Sunday, June 22. PSE&G's outage map shows 5,341 were in the dark in Burlington County and more than 3,000 in Camden. The majority of the outages were in Maple Shade, Moorestown, Haddon and Pennsauken. In Union County, nearly 1,000 had lost power in Westfield. Smaller but more widespread outages were reported on the Jersey Shore, according to JCP&L, specifically in Long Branch, Red Bank, Asbury Park, Hazlet, Middletown, Keansburg, and Matawan. The National Weather Service had warned residen…
Hollywood Actors Filming New Movie In New Jersey Hollywood Actors Filming New Movie In New Jersey
Hollywood Actors Filming New Movie In New Jersey Union County has become a true cavalcade of stars. Julianne Moore and John Turturro were the latest Hollywood stars spotted in Westfield on Wednesday, May 8, filming the new movie "The Room Next Door."  For the shoot, Westfield transformed into Lake Hill, New York, with patrol cars, police uniforms, a department seal and a New York State flag flying over the city.  Town of Westfield "The crew noted that, after scouting many locations in New Jersey, they chose Westfield for this scene not only for the front of our police department, but also for the beauty of Mindowaskin Park," …
NJ Law Firm CFO Embezzled $1.5 Million, Faces Five Years In Prison : State AG NJ Law Firm CFO Embezzled $1.5 Million, Faces Five Years In Prison : State AG
NJ Law Firm CFO Embezzled $1.5 Million, Faces Five Years In Prison : State AG A 61-year-old Westfield man faces five years in state prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $1.5 million from the law firm he worked at as chief financial officer, authorities said. John Dunlea pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 8, to two counts of theft by deception and five counts of failure to pay taxes, New Jersey Attorney General Platkin said. Dunlea admitted to misappropriating $1.5 million from the law firm of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter by paying himself excess compensation, Platkin said. Between Jan. 2017 and Dec. 2022, Dunlea paid himself $1.2 mill…
Trader Joe's Sets Opening Date For Newest Store In New Jersey Trader Joe's Sets Opening Date For Newest Store In New Jersey
Trader Joe's Sets Opening Date For Newest Store In New Jersey Popular food items like "Everything but the Bagel" seasoning, "Unexpected Cheddar Cheese", and "Hold the Cone!" ice cream are about to be sold at a new Central Jersey spot. Trader Joe's will open its location in Middletown on Thursday, Apr. 25, the company said on its website on Friday, Apr. 19. The grocery store will hold a grand opening celebration at 8 a.m. The new Trader Joe's will be in the Middletown Plaza shopping center off Route 35. "We've consulted our maps and compass and have found a terrific location for a store in Middletown, NJ," Trade Joe's said in its opening announce…