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Plainfield, NJ

Plainfield Man Gets Nearly One Year For Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor Plainfield Man Gets Nearly One Year For Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Gets Nearly One Year For Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Plainfield man was sentence to 364 days in prison on Friday, Nov. 22 after previously being convicted of assaulting a North Plainfield police officer by dragging him on his dirt bike in April 2022, authorities said.  Victor Ogando-Marte was driving an illegal dirt bike on Route 22 along with 15 to 20 others, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. The dirt bikers were driving recklessly by weaving in and out of traffic, popping wheelies and obstructing the passage of other vehicles, authorities said. Officer James Kirchner attempted to apprehend Ogando-Marte ne…
Students Kept Indoors After Bear Spotted Near Plainfield Schools Students Kept Indoors After Bear Spotted Near Plainfield Schools
Students Kept Indoors After Bear Spotted Near Plainfield Schools A bear was recently spotted near two schools in Plainfield, the district said. The bear was seen near Evergreen Elementary School and Plainfield High School, Plainfield Public Schools said on social media. "Out of caution, we urge all school community members to remain indoors and stay alert," Superintendent Rashon K. Hasan said. "The safety of our students, staff, and community is our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation and are in communication with local authorities."
Last Look At New Jersey's 12 Congressional Races: Your Guide To The 2024 Election Last Look At New Jersey's 12 Congressional Races: Your Guide To The 2024 Election
Last Look At New Jersey's 12 Congressional Races: Your Guide To The 2024 Election More than 1.9 million people have already cast their vote in New Jersey ahead of the 2024 election. Here's one last look at who's on the ballot in the Garden State's 12 Congressional races, and what you need to know. District 1: All of Camden County, as well as parts of Burlington County and Gloucester County. Teddy Liddell and Donald Norcross. Teddy Liddell for Congress/Donald Norcross Facebook photos Democratic candidate Incumbent Rep. Donald Norcross: A father of three and electrician, Norcross was elected in 2014 having previously served in both the State Senate and Assembly. …
Plainfield Man Convicted Of Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor Plainfield Man Convicted Of Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Convicted Of Dragging Police Officer On Dirt Bike: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Plainfield man was convicted on Friday, Sept. 13 of assaulting a North Plainfield police officer by dragging him on his dirt bike in April 2022, authorities said. On April 13, Victor Ogando-Marte was driving an illegal dirt bike on Route 22 along with 15 to 20 others, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. The dirt bikers were driving recklessly by weaving in and out of traffic, popping wheelies and obstructing the passage of other vehicles, authorities said. Officer James Kirchner attempted to apprehend Ogando-Marte near Rock Avenue, but he used his dirt bike to drag h…
19 NJ Retailers Fined $4,500 For Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says 19 NJ Retailers Fined $4,500 For Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says
19 NJ Retailers Fined $4,500 For Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says Nineteen retailers across New Jersey are facing $4,500 after an investigation found they'd been selling flavored vape products banned in the Garden State, the NJ Attorney General's Office said. All 19 stores were issued a Notice of Violation after they were found to have violated the state's consumer protection laws, AG Matthew Platkin said. The enforcement actions are the result of a Division investigation into unlawful sales of flavored electronic smoking devices and products, including mint, candy, fruit, and chocolate flavors, Platkin said.  The Division launched its investigation…
New Charges Filed Against Former Plainfield Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Election Fraud: AG New Charges Filed Against Former Plainfield Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Election Fraud: AG
New Charges Filed Against Former Plainfield Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Election Fraud: AG A 70-year-old former mayoral candidate town previously accused of election fraud is facing new charges, New Jersey authorities announced Friday, Aug. 23. An indictment returned against Plainfield's former mayoral candidate Dr. Henrilynn Ibezim charges him with tampering with witnesses and informants and trafficking in personal identifying information pertaining to another person, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Ibezim had previously been accused of trying to submit hundreds of bogus voter registration applications to Union County's election officials, and th…
Former Plainfield Recreation Director Killed In Piscataway Crash: 'A Real Straight-Up Guy' Former Plainfield Recreation Director Killed In Piscataway Crash: 'A Real Straight-Up Guy'
Former Plainfield Recreation Director Killed In Piscataway Crash: 'A Real Straight-Up Guy' A Plainfield man was killed in a crash on Interstate 287 in Piscataway, authorities said. David Wynn, 68, died in the wreck on I-287 South on Thursday, Aug. 15, a state police spokesperson said. Troopers responded to the crash near milepost 8.8 at around 8:24 p.m. Investigators said Wynn was driving a Chevrolet vehicle when he crashed into the back of a trailer hauled by a Chevrolet pickup. Wynn's vehicle went off the highway and hit several trees. Wynn was a former director for Plainfield's parks and recreation department, according to a city council agenda and his Facebook page. Those w…
Former Trenton Teacher, Basketball Coach Sexually Assaulted Student Over Five Years: Prosecutor Former Trenton Teacher, Basketball Coach Sexually Assaulted Student Over Five Years: Prosecutor
Former Trenton Teacher, Basketball Coach Sexually Assaulted Student Over Five Years: Prosecutor A former Trenton elementary school teacher and middle school coach was accused of sexually assaulting a student for about five years, authorities said. Darrell Moody, 51, of Plainfield, was arrested on Monday, Aug. 12, Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa Hilton said in a news release. He was a teacher at Parker Elementary School and a basketball coach at Joyce Kilmer Middle School. Investigators said the victim reported the sexual assault claims to Trenton police in May. Moody met the victim while he was teaching fifth grade at Parker. The victim claims Moody sexually as…
Police ID Drowning Victim At Dangerous NJ Lake As 18-Year-Old Trespasser Police ID Drowning Victim At Dangerous NJ Lake As 18-Year-Old Trespasser
Police ID Drowning Victim At Dangerous NJ Lake As 18-Year-Old Trespasser A teen swimmer has died after being pulled from a notoriously dangerous and privately owned lake in Manchester Township. Victor Arias-Peralta, 18, of Perth Amboy drowned at Crystal Lake on Monday, July 29, the Manchester Township Police Department said in a news release.  Investigators said Arias-Peralta was with a group that trespassed on the Heritage Mineral property at around 6 p.m. Arias-Peralta and a friend tried to swim across the lake when Arias-Peralta suffered from "severe fatigue" and became distressed about 20 yards from the shore. Friends…
Kids Sexually Assaulted In NJ Church Bathroom, Police Say Kids Sexually Assaulted In NJ Church Bathroom, Police Say
Kids Sexually Assaulted In NJ Church Bathroom, Police Say A 68-year-old Plainfield man has been charged with sexually assaulting two minors in a church in North Plainfield last month, authorities said. On Sunday, June 23, at 4:38 p.m., police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a sexual assault of a minor earlier that day, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and North Plainfield Chief of Police William Parenti said.  Pierre Joseph, the suspect, was detained at the church while they awaited police, authorities said While Joseph was transported for questi…
Plainfield Man Gets 20+ For Fatal Shooting: Prosecutor Plainfield Man Gets 20+ For Fatal Shooting: Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Gets 20+ For Fatal Shooting: Prosecutor A 34-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to 23 years in state prison on Thursday, May 16, for fatally shooting a man in 2022, authorities said. At 4 p.m. on March 11, Plainfield police responded to Johnston Avenue and East 2nd Street and found Eric Williams, a 50-year-old Plainfield resident hit with multiple gunshot wounds, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James Abney said. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. Haneef Welch was sentenced after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter, autho…
Plainfield Man Gets 40 Years For Strangling Girlfriend: Prosecutor Plainfield Man Gets 40 Years For Strangling Girlfriend: Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Gets 40 Years For Strangling Girlfriend: Prosecutor A 24-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Wednesday, May 15, for strangling his 19-year-old girlfriend to death in 2020, authorities said. On July 6, 2020, Plainfield police conducted a welfare check and found the body of 19-year-old Brenda Montoya-Cruz, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney said.  Bryan Gonzales-Martinez was convicted of first-degree murder last June, authorities said. He must serve 85% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, authorities said. 
Union County Lottery Player Wins $1K/Week For Life Union County Lottery Player Wins $1K/Week For Life
Union County Lottery Player Wins $1K/Week For Life A lottery player in Union County is going to be reaping the benefits of his prize for the rest of his life. A CASH4LIFE ticket matched the five white balls in the Thursday, May 16 drawing, winning $1,000 a week for life. The ticket was sold at Quick Stop Convenience in Plainfield. 
Plainfield Man Sentenced For DWI Crash That Injured Seven: Somerset County Prosecutor Plainfield Man Sentenced For DWI Crash That Injured Seven: Somerset County Prosecutor
Plainfield Man Sentenced For DWI Crash That Injured Seven: Somerset County Prosecutor A 24-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday, May 10, for a DUI crash that left seven people injured last June. Jose Cruz Villanueva-Izaguirre was behind the wheel of a 2004 Honda Civic and collided with a Kia Sedona after driving at high speed through a red light on June 11, 2023, at 2:09 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. Villanueva-Izaguirre, as well as his passengers — two adults and a teen — were seriously injured in the crash, authorities said. One passenger was found unresponsive in the back seat, suffering from near-fatal i…
US Marshals Capture NJ Train Station Murder Suspect In PA, Prosecutor Says US Marshals Capture NJ Train Station Murder Suspect In PA, Prosecutor Says
US Marshals Capture NJ Train Station Murder Suspect In PA, Prosecutor Says A 44-year-old Plainfield man was arrested in Pennsylvania on Friday, May 10 and charged with a fatal stabbing at a train station in July 2023, authorities said. At 2 p.m. on July 6, 2023, police responded to the Plainfield train station and found Juquin Smith, 45, suffering from stab wounds, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney said. Smith was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. Aswad Spruiel was arrested in Northumberland County, PA., by US Marshals, authorities said. He is in custody in …
Feds: Nine Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Fentanyl, Coke, More At Open-Air Drug Market Feds: Nine Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Fentanyl, Coke, More At Open-Air Drug Market
Feds: Nine Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Fentanyl, Coke, More At Open-Air Drug Market Nine reputed members and associates of the Sex, Money, Murder street gang were charged by Homeland Security agents in New Jersey with peddling fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine at an open-air drug market. Working with local law enforcers, agents with HSI Investigations Newark homed in on a neighborhood on West 3rd Street in Plainfield where the subset of the Bloods controlled the drug trade, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. For months, they witnessed and recorded sales, conducted undercover buys -- some by confidential informants -- and analyzed phone records, the U.S. attorney said. …
Four Kittens Abandoned At Plainfield Humane Society Four Kittens Abandoned At Plainfield Humane Society
Four Kittens Abandoned At Plainfield Humane Society The Plainfield Area Human Society are attempting to locate the person who abandoned four kittens on Wednesday, April 24 At 5:55 a.m., security footage showed the person abandoning the four gray and white kittens on the front porch of the Plainfield Area Humane Society. Staff brought the kittens in, described as "scared and cold", the Plainfield Area Humane Society said. The kittens were placed on a heating pad and fed breakfast, the Plainfield Area Humane Society said. Anyone with information on who the person is should contact Animal Control at 908-753-0300 or  contact@pahs.org
NJ Woman Charged With Unlawful Sexual Conduct On 14-Year-Old In Ohio: Prosecutors NJ Woman Charged With Unlawful Sexual Conduct On 14-Year-Old In Ohio: Prosecutors
NJ Woman Charged With Unlawful Sexual Conduct On 14-Year-Old In Ohio: Prosecutors A 30-year-old Union County woman is wanted by police in Ohio for unlawful sexual conduct with a teenage boy. Police in Kettering, near Dayton, began investigating after the 14-year-old came forward to reveal the sexual conduct, a felony, with Corrinne Kneipp, a Plainfield resident in February, the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office said.  The incident occurred while Kneipp was in Ohio visiting family, prosecutors said. Kneipp remains at large and a warrant has been issued for her arrest, prosecutors said. She is scheduled to be arraigned net week.
Motorcyclist Killed In Plainfield After Crashing Into Parked Car: Authorities Motorcyclist Killed In Plainfield After Crashing Into Parked Car: Authorities
Motorcyclist Killed In Plainfield After Crashing Into Parked Car: Authorities A motorcyclist was killed in Plainfield early Sunday, April 21 after his motorcycle crashed into a parked car, authorities said. At 5 a.m. Plainfield police responded to the 700 block of East 3rd St. on a report of a crash, Andrea Wright, a spokeswoman for the city said.  Upon arrival, police located a man who crashed his motorcycle into a parked car, Wright said. EMS responded and the man was pronounced dead at the scene, Wright said. The crash remains under investigation, Wright said. The man's name, age and residence has not been released.
Plainfield School Employee Pocketed $13K Meant For Program: Complaint Plainfield School Employee Pocketed $13K Meant For Program: Complaint
Plainfield School Employee Pocketed $13K Meant For Program: Complaint An employee with the Plainfield School District and a board of education trustee in Montgomery was arrested last month and charged with stealing money meant for a school program, authorities said. Between March 2021 and May 2023, Zelda Spence-Wallace, 54, pocketed $13,000 meant for the Plainfield Board of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Center Program and used it for her own personal gain, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice. Spence-Wallace was charged with theft by deception and theft of moveable property. The mother of five served as project director for…
Hunterdon County Firefighter, Dad Bryan Pascale Dies At 45: 'A True Fireman's Fireman' Hunterdon County Firefighter, Dad Bryan Pascale Dies At 45: 'A True Fireman's Fireman'
Hunterdon County Firefighter, Dad Bryan Pascale Dies At 45: 'A True Fireman's Fireman' Bryan Pascale, a Tewksbury Township resident and firefighter in Califon died on Monday April 15 at the Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township, four days after celebrating his 45th birthday, according to his obituary. Born in Plainfield, Pascale was a lifelong Hunterdon County resident, living in Washington and later Glen Gardner, where he graduated from Voorhees High School in 1997, his obituary reads. He spent the last nine years in Tewksbury and was vice president of his family's business, Central Sheet Metal Fabricators in Middlesex, according to his obituary. Well before …
WINNER! Union County Lotto Player Nets Big $ In Fast Play WINNER! Union County Lotto Player Nets Big $ In Fast Play
Winner! Union County Lotto Player Nets Big $ In Fast Play Fast play led to some fast cash for a lottery player in Union County. Playing the Fast Play Progressive ticket, the lucky winner managed to turn a $5 ticket into $61,321 jackpot on Thursday, April 18. The prize money was 50 percent of the progressive jackpot. The winning ticket was sold at Leland Liquors and Deli in Plainfield.
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Monmouth University pollsters have tried to answer a question that has been hard to solve for many in the Garden State: Where is Central Jersey exactly? The Monmouth University Polling Institute released a survey on Tuesday, Apr. 16 that asked New Jerseyans what region they live in and if they believe their region gets a fair share of state resources. The pollsters also asked people to pick their favorite convenience store. According to the poll, 41 percent of New Jerseyans said they live in North Jersey, 34 percent said they're in Central Jersey, and 23 percent said they're from South…
4th Suspect Charged In Shooting Near Rutgers Campus: Prosecutor 4th Suspect Charged In Shooting Near Rutgers Campus: Prosecutor
4th Suspect Charged In Shooting Near Rutgers Campus: Prosecutor A fourth man has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting that occurred near the Rutgers University campus in New Brunswick, authorities said. On April 5, at approximately 2 a.m., authorities responded to 66 Easton Avenue after a report of a shooting. Police found one female and one male victim, who sustained gunshot wounds and were subsequently taken to Robert Wood Hospital for treatment.  Both victims were affiliated with Rutgers, campus police said. On April 6, Walter Rodriguez-Cardenas, 20, was arrested without incident in Plainfield w…
Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD
Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD A 57-year old Plainfield man was fatally struck by a car as he was checking on a pedestrian he hit with his vehicle near Costco in North Plainfield on Thursday, April 4, authorities said. At 11:37 p.m. police responded to Route 22 East and discovered two motor vehicle crashes had taken place, North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti said. Danti Bryant had just struck a 31-year-old North Plainfield woman who was injured and lying in the roadway, Parenti said. As Bryant exited his vehicle to investigate what he had struck, he was struck by another vehicle that swerved to avoid hitting the…
Central Jersey Dad, Attorney Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart Central Jersey Dad, Attorney Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart
Central Jersey Dad, Attorney Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart Rutgers University graduate and attorney Christopher Canada of Plainfield died on Feb. 12, according to an obituary published by Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home. He was 55 years old. Friends created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his sons' continuing education.  The campaign says Chris, a Clark native, is survived by his wife of 20 years, Debbie, whom he met in middle school. "Chris first met his future wife Debbie in 6th grade and was quickly smitten, as he made known through a series of attention-getting pranks combined with chivalrous actions such as carrying her books home fr…
'It's Sweet': South Jersey's Isiah Pacheco Wins Second Super Bowl With Kansas City Chiefs 'It's Sweet': South Jersey's Isiah Pacheco Wins Second Super Bowl With Kansas City Chiefs
'It's Sweet': South Jersey's Isiah Pacheco Wins Second Super Bowl With Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is getting spoiled in his young NFL career. The Vineland native has won his second Super Bowl in just his second professional season. Pacheco had 59 rushing yards and 33 receiving yards in the Chiefs' thrilling 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11. After the game, Pacheco talked about the championship win with CBS Sports HQ with a Puerto Rican flag draped around his shoulders. "It sounds so sweet just now, two-time Super Bowl champion," said Pacheco. "It's sweet. Last year, I was unsatisfied. Th…
Emaciated Senior Cat Abandoned Outside Plainfield Shelter Emaciated Senior Cat Abandoned Outside Plainfield Shelter
Emaciated Senior Cat Abandoned Outside Plainfield Shelter An emaciated senior cat was abandoned on the front porch of the Plainfield Area Humane Society on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 7, the shelter said.  The black cat was left outside all night in the cold, "shivering and scared for his life," the shelter said on Facebook. The shelter posted video of the cat being left behind.  Once staff discovered him, he was warmed up with food and a heating pad and is currently sleeping peacefully, the shelter said. The shelter said it is working to find him a forever home. Anyone with information on his owner is asked to contact the …
Driver In High-Speed Pursuit From NJ Swim Club Headed To Prison Driver In High-Speed Pursuit From NJ Swim Club Headed To Prison
Driver In High-Speed Pursuit From NJ Swim Club Headed To Prison A 22-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday, Jan. 12 after pleading guilty to leading police on a pursuit in Somerset County that damaged multiple police vehicles in October 2022, authorities said. At 3:51 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2022, Berkeley Heights Police responded to the parking lot at the Brook Hill Swim Club in Watchung for a report of vehicles driving recklessly and revving their engines at a high volume, Somerset District Attorney John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Watchung Borough Chief o…
Services Set For NJ Firefighter Marques Hudson Killed In Line of Duty Services Set For NJ Firefighter Marques Hudson Killed In Line of Duty
Services Set For NJ Firefighter Marques Hudson Killed In Line of Duty Marques Hudson, the Plainfield firefighter killed on Friday, Jan. 26 battling a house fire, will be laid to rest on Saturday, Feb. 3.  Services were announced by Buckland Funeral Home in Somerset for Hudson, the 32-year-old Piscataway resident and father of three. Viewings will be held on Friday, Feb 2 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Plainfield High School and Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the high school, according to his obituary.  A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. at the high school, his obituary reads. Hudson was pronounced dead after he…
Four NJ Restaurants Make Yelp's Top 100 In America Four NJ Restaurants Make Yelp's Top 100 In America
Four NJ Restaurants Make Yelp's Top 100 In America New Jersey foodies have some new places to add to their list, if they haven't dined there already. Four restaurants from the Garden State made Yelp's annual Top 100 US Restaurants 2024 list. Boomchia in Montclair ranked 21st on the list. The restaurant has a five star rating on Yelp serves up healthy bowls, offering ingredients like dark chocolate granola, blue coconut, bananas, cashew butter and gogi berries.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alex Colonna (@thetypicalfoodie) "Best Chia Acai bowl," wrote one Yelp reviewer. "…