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Plainfield, NJ

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
Plainfield Woman Charged With Unlawful Sexual Conduct On 14-Year-Old In Ohio: Prosecutors Plainfield Woman Charged With Unlawful Sexual Conduct On 14-Year-Old In Ohio: Prosecutors
Plainfield 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…
Califon Firefighter Bryan Pascale Dies At 45: 'A True Fireman's Fireman' Califon Firefighter Bryan Pascale Dies At 45: 'A True Fireman's Fireman'
Califon Firefighter 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…
Rutgers Grad Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart Rutgers Grad Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart
Rutgers Grad 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': Vineland's Isiah Pacheco Wins Second Super Bowl With Kansas City Chiefs 'It's Sweet': Vineland's Isiah Pacheco Wins Second Super Bowl With Kansas City Chiefs
'It's Sweet': Vineland'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. "…
78 Years For Plainfield Pair Convicted In Shooting That Left 1 Paralyzed, 1 Dead: Prosecutor 78 Years For Plainfield Pair Convicted In Shooting That Left 1 Paralyzed, 1 Dead: Prosecutor
78 Years For Plainfield Pair Convicted In Shooting That Left 1 Paralyzed, 1 Dead: Prosecutor Two Plainfield men were sentenced to 78 years in state prison on Friday, Jan. 12 after being convicted of first degree murder for killing a woman and paralyzing another in a 2021 double shooting, authorities said. Jaahad Ingram, 23 and Zaire Wallace, 30, were sentenced in Union County Superior Court and must serve 85 percent of their sentence before being eligible for parole, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James Abney said. The pair were found guilty in October for the shooting, which killed Jennifer Vorn, a 24-year-old King of Prussia, PA residen…
'Execution-Style' Neptune Township Killers Sentenced 'Execution-Style' Neptune Township Killers Sentenced
'Execution-Style' Neptune Township Killers Sentenced Two men were sentenced to prison time for their roles in what prosecutors called an "execution-style" double murder of a young man and woman in Neptune Township nearly two years ago. Gabriel Braithwaite, 21, of Keansburg was sentenced to 40 years in state prison on Friday, Jan. 5, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced. Braithewaite pleaded guilty in July 2023 to three charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. Jeron Dearin, 24, of Aberdeen was sentenced to five years in state prison. He also pleaded guilty in July 2023 to one count of conspiracy to commit aggravat…
14 NJ Businesses Newly-Barred From Practicing For Shortchanging Workers: DOL 14 NJ Businesses Newly-Barred From Practicing For Shortchanging Workers: DOL
14 NJ Businesses Newly-Barred From Practicing For Shortchanging Workers: DOL An additional 14 New Jersey businesses have been barred from practicing for short-changing workers and other violations, bringing the total to 82, according to the state's Labor and Workforce Development Department. The businesses — which were named to the NJDOL’s Workplace Accountability in Labor List (the WALL) — owe a collective $956,000 in wages and penalties to the state and their employees. The 14 businesses added to the WALL are: A Z Construction of NJ Inc., Plainfield Brasero Chicken 3 LLC, Paterson Dar's Staffing LLC, Little Egg Harbor EC Abatement Inc., Newark Lane Mechanical He…
Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors
Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors A 23-year-old Plainfield man was indicted by a grand jury for murder in the shooting death of a former college football player last August. Maurice Pierce shot Jameer Outsey, of Bridgewater, on North Broad Street and Magnolia Avenue in Elizabeth on Aug. 27, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca said. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. Pierce was charged with murder in the first degree and multiple weapons offenses. Outsey, a three-year letterman at Fra…
Plainfield Homicide Unsolved Seven Years Later, Person Of Interest Sought: Authorities Plainfield Homicide Unsolved Seven Years Later, Person Of Interest Sought: Authorities
Plainfield Homicide Unsolved Seven Years Later, Person Of Interest Sought: Authorities It has been seven years since Shamar Coleman was fatally gunned down in Plainfield and police are still attempting to solve his murder. On Dec. 29, 2016, Plainfield police responded to Seafood Rama and found Coleman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James Abney said. Coleman was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Authorities are attempting to locate a person of interest who was at the scene of the time of the murder. The individual, who can be seen exiting and entering the passenger si…
Plainfield Building With Questionable Past Erupts In Flames Injuring 15, Displacing Many Plainfield Building With Questionable Past Erupts In Flames Injuring 15, Displacing Many
Plainfield Building With Questionable Past Erupts In Flames Injuring 15, Displacing Many A fire at a Plainfield apartment building with a history of safety troubles left 15 people injured and displaced at least seven families, officials said. The fire on at 515 West 7th Street broke out around 4:45 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, displacing 42 families — 35 of whom were allowed to return home later that day. According to abc7, the building is owned by the same landlord as its neighbor at 501 West 7th St., which was condemned in August, where inspectors found leaking and open pipes, and holes in walls and ceilings. An electrical problem or lithium-ion battery were believed to have ca…
Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease
Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease Support is on the rise for a Somerset County family mourning the loss of a devoted dad after a 10-year battle with kidney disease. David Betancourt died surrounded by his beloved family at RJW Somerset on Monday, Nov. 6, his obituary says. He was 69. Born and raised in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, David lived in Plainfield, Somerville, and California before settling in North Plainfield in 2007. He was a member of the army in Guatemala before arriving in the United States in the 1980s, his memorial says. Described as a “man of all trades,” David loved soccer, especially watching the World Cu…
Plainfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle In Bound Brook (UPDATE) Plainfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle In Bound Brook (UPDATE)
Plainfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle In Bound Brook (Update) A 66-year-old man died after being struck by a car in Bound Brook Monday, Nov. 20, police said. The Plainfield man was in cardiac arrest when responders arrived at the West Union Avenue crash scene in front of Burger King, around 6:10 p.m., Bound Brook Police Chief Richard S. Colombaroni said. Officers and paramedics initiated life-saving measures and the victim was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Officers and detectives from the Bound Brook Police Department and the Somerset…
Plainfield Pair Convicted In Drive-By Double Shooting: Prosecutors Plainfield Pair Convicted In Drive-By Double Shooting: Prosecutors
Plainfield Pair Convicted In Drive-By Double Shooting: Prosecutors Two Plainfield men were convicted on Tuesday, Oct. 31, of first degree murder for killing a woman and paralyzing another in a 2021 double shooting, authorities said. Jaahad Ingram, 23 and Zaire Wallace, 30, were found guilty for the shooting, which killed Jennifer Vorn, a 24-year-old Pennsylvania resident and left another victim permanently paralyzed, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James Abney said.  Ingram and Wallace followed the two victims before getting out of their black Buick SUV at Rock Avenue and West Front Street with handguns, firi…
Phillipsburg's Pat Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Safe After Missing For Month Phillipsburg's Pat Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Safe After Missing For Month
Phillipsburg's Pat Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Safe After Missing For Month Patrick J. Pespas, who starred in HBO's "Telemarketers," has been found safe. Pespas, 55, of Phillipsburg, has been found safe and was home with his wife, Sue, directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Bhala Lough said on Pespas' Instagram account Friday, Oct. 27. Pespas had been missing since Sept. 29, when he was seen in Easton, PA, and later at a bar in the Pittsburg area. Pespas, formerly of North Plainfield and Plainfield, NJ, has been living with his wife in Easton, PA.  He teamed up with Lipman-Stern to create the three-part HBO mini docu-series "Telemarketers," which shined a …
Somerset Fugitive Charged With Attempted Murder Caught In PA: Prosecutors Somerset Fugitive Charged With Attempted Murder Caught In PA: Prosecutors
Somerset Fugitive Charged With Attempted Murder Caught In PA: Prosecutors A Somerset County man accused of five counts of attempted homicide was arrested in Easton, Pennsylvania last week, according to authorities.  Cristobal Avila, 32, of Plainfield, is also charged with unlawful weapon possession related to an April 2021 incident in North Plainfield, said the Prosecutor's Office. He was arrested by Easton police on Saturday, Sept. 30 and will be returned to New Jersey pending extradition and prosecution of other charges in Pennsylvania, officials said.  Avila was Somerset County's fugitive of the month in September, they noted.  Details of his …
Speeding Driver Takes Police On Pursuit In Goshen, Receives 28 Tickets Speeding Driver Takes Police On Pursuit In Goshen, Receives 28 Tickets
Speeding Driver Takes Police On Pursuit In Goshen, Receives 28 Tickets A speeding driver who thought his license was suspended was charged with reckless driving in the Hudson Valley and received 28 tickets after fleeing from state police. The incident took place in Orange County in Goshen on Route 17 westbound around 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 1. According to Trooper Steven Nevel, of the New York State Police, a trooper spotted a 20212 Mazada 3 speeding on Route 17 westbound in Goshen and attempted to stop the driver. The driver, later identified as New Jersey resident Justin Cedeno, age 20, of Plainfield in Union County, attempted to elude the trooper. About 3…
Phillipsburg's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing Phillipsburg's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing
Phillipsburg's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing Patrick J. Pespas, who starred in HBO's "Telemarketers," has been missing for days, those who know him say. Pespas, 55, of Phillipsburg, was last seen in the Easton, PA area around 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, according to directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Bhala Lough Pespas, formerly of North Plainfield and Plainfield, teamed up with Lipman-Stern to create the three-part HBO mini docu-series "Telemarketers," which shined a light on the truth about the telemarketing industry. It premiered in August. Bhala Lough said on Sunday, Oct. 1 Pespas may have been spotted at a bar in Pittsburgh. …
Plainfield Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors Plainfield Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors
Plainfield Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors Maurice Pierce, 23-year-old Plainfield man was arrested on Monday, Sept. 25 and charged with murder in the shooting death of Jameer Outsey, a former college football player, back in August, authorities said. On Sunday, Aug. 12, Elizabeth police responded to North Broad Street and Magnolia Avenue and found Outsey, a Bridgewater resident, suffering from a gunshot wound, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca said. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. Pierce …
Plainfield High School Student Stabbed: School Officials Plainfield High School Student Stabbed: School Officials
Plainfield High School Student Stabbed: School Officials A Plainfield High School student was stabbed at a local park on Tuesday, Sept. 27, school officials said. The stabbing occurred following an altercation and the injured student was transported to a nearby hospital. School officials said Plainfield Police are investigating the incident and are offering support and counseling services to students. The following day, an armed weapon was dropped into a dumpster by an unidentified individual at Cedarwood K-8 Center at 2:50 p.m., school officials said. The Plainfield Police Department, school Division of Safety and administrators responded "We w…