Kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Racketeering: Collingswood Woman Charged, NJ AG Says
Two people have been arrested and charged with a slew of crimes related to a prostitution scheme, authorities announced Tuesday, July 21.
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, Atlantic City police received a report of an underage girl who was being sex trafficked by Tamier Brown-Miller, a 26-year-old Philadelphia resident and Dezeree Smith, a 25-year-old Collingswood resident, at locations in Cherry Hill, Atlantic City and Pennsylvania, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said.
The girl would be taken to various motels to have sex with men, Davenport said. Brown-Miller took photos of her and post…
Holtsville Suspect Turned Lost Wallet Into $5K Identity Theft Scheme: Police
A Long Island man stole another person’s identity, opened a bank account, and swiped $5,000 earlier this year, police said.
Justin Kopperl, 28, of Holtsville, used the money to rent cars, deposit false checks, and send money through CashApp, the Suffolk County Police Department said Monday, July 20. The victim in the case had lost their wallet prior to the fraud, according to investigators.
The victim, a Bay Shore man, contacted police on May 6 after realizing a bank account had been opened in his name without his knowledge, cops said. Authorities traced the activity to Kopperl.
Kopperl wa…
4-Year-Old Found Locked Behind Bungee-Corded Closet Door In Callaway Home, Sheriff Says
There was a bungee cord on the door.
Behind it, deputies say, was a 4-year-old child locked inside a dark, filthy closet like Harry Potter.
The troubling discovery was made on Monday, July 20, after deputies rushed to a home in St. Mary's County on a report that a child was being held inside a closet.
Deputies responded to the 20000 block of Roh Ranch Lane in Callaway, where they were given permission to enter the home, according to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.
Inside, they found a closet door secured shut with a bungee cord. When they opened it, they found the young child…
Child Suffers Neck, Head Injuries In Assault By Dad: Ephrata Police
Pennsylvania father is facing felony child endangerment and assault charges after police said he assaulted a minor, leaving the child with injuries to the neck, chest, back, head, and arms.
Josiah D. Hess, 41, of Denver, was charged with felony endangering the welfare of children and misdemeanor simple assault following an alleged domestic violence incident in West Cocalico Township, the Ephrata Police Department said in a release issued Monday, July 20.
Officers responded to the 600 block of South Ridge Road at 9:07 p.m. Sunday, July 19, for a report of an assault that was no longer in pro…
Contractor Took Payment, Left Stony Brook Renovation Unfinished: Police
A Long Island contractor was arrested after police say he accepted payment for home renovations but stopped work before the project was finished, leaving a Stony Brook homeowner without the services she paid for, Suffolk County Police said in a release issued Monday, July 20.
The woman hired M3 Development Group Inc. on Jan. 8, 2026, to complete improvements to her Stony Brook home, police said. The contractor, identified as Michael Specchio, completed only part of the renovations before abandoning the job, according to investigators.
Sixth Squad detectives arrested Specchio, 48, of East I…
Passenger Jumps Into Driver's Seat, Dies After Crashing With Child Inside In Mantua: Prosecutor
A 41-year-old backseat passenger of a vehicle died after jumping into the front seat of the car, taking off, and then crashing with a 5-year-old still inside the car in South Jersey on Sunday, July 19, authorities said.
At 11:57 p.m., Mantua Township police stopped a vehicle for a traffic offense on southbound Route 55, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said.
While one officer was speaking with the driver outside the vehicle, another officer ordered the passenger, Holly Hageman, 41, to get out of the vehicle, authorities said. Instead, Hageman climbed into the driver's seat and…
Wethersfield Woman, 31, Sexually Coerced Long Island 13-Year-Old She Met Online: Feds
A Connecticut woman is accused of grooming a 13-year-old New York boy on Discord before driving him to her home and attempting to sexually abuse him, federal authorities said.
Amily Colon, 31, of Wethersfield, was arrested Friday, July 17, on a federal criminal complaint charging her with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Colon allegedly used the name "Alice" when she started an online relationship with the 13-year-old boy from New York, according to cou…
Would-Be West Babylon Child Predator Finds Undercover Cops Waiting Online: Police
Two men attempting to meet underage girls for sex have been arrested in New York, according to state police.
Edwin Antonio Sabillon Jr., 24, of West Babylon, NY, and Anik Conley-Das, 36 of Norwood, MA, were busted in an undercover operation, New York State Police said.
The two men were “attempting to sexually exploit children online” but instead interacted with undercover officers based in state police barracks on Long Island, authorities said.
Sabillon and Conley-Das were both charged with second-degree rape, attempted child endangerment, and attempted sharing indecent materials with a mi…
Ex-GF's New BF Opened Fire In North Arlington Double Homicide, Family Alleges: Report
A father of two who was killed in a double shooting in North Arlington on Sunday night, July 19, had gone to pick up his children when a confrontation with his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend turned deadly, ABC7 Eyewitness News reports.
UPDATE: Brian Dominick Lockett, 28, of North Arlington, NJ, and Ezequiel Aquino, 29, of Newark, were identified as the victims by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. A GoFundMe campaign says they were cousins. A separate GoFundMe was launched by Aquino's mother, who sources say buried her other son, Uriel Aquino, four years ago due to an alleged overdos…
Ex-Felon Motorcycle Rider Busted With Illegal Gun In Guilderland: Police
A New York man with a felony conviction has been arrested again for possessing a loaded handgun, police said.
Kevin Phillips, 45, of Schenectady, was riding his motorcycle southbound through Guilderland on the New York State Thruway on Thursday, July 16, when he was stopped for a traffic violation, New York State Police said.
During the stop, troopers learned Phillips was in possession of a loaded handgun, according to authorities. They investigated further and discovered Phillips had a prior felony conviction, making it illegal for him to have the gun, according to state police.
Phillips …
Police Impersonation, Strangulation Lands Nassau County Man Under Arrest In New Canaan — Again
A New York man who was arrested twice in Connecticut last month is back in custody after police said he was wanted on new charges tied to a vicious domestic incident.
Christopher Douglas Hassel, 42, of Syosset, New York, was arrested on an active warrant by the New Canaan Police Department earlier this month, authorities said.
Hassel is charged with third-degree assault, second-degree assault, second-degree strangulation/suffocation, criminal impersonation, impersonating a police officer, and disorderly conduct. His bond was set at $50,000.
The latest arrest comes just weeks after Ha…
Wallingford School PTO Treasurer Stole $22K From Elementary School Group, Police Say
A former Connecticut elementary school PTO treasurer is accused of stealing about $22,000 from the organization that supports local students and teachers.
Erica L. Vitale, 39, of Wallingford, was arrested Friday, July 17, according to police. She served as treasurer for the Highland Elementary School PTO and had full access to the group's funds.
The PTO claims $22,000 is missing from their accounts, and Vitale cannot account for it, police explained.
Vitale is charged with first-degree larceny and fraudulent use of an automated teller machine, Wallingford police said. She …
0.2-bac Hauppauge Driver Sentenced For Crash That Killed Nassau Police Officer: Authorities
A Long Island drunk driver was sentenced Monday, July 20 for a crash that killed a police officer earlier this year, authorities said.
Matthew Smith, 21, got between seven years, four months and 22 years in prison, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said. Smith’s sentence was negotiated as part of a plea deal in June.
Smith, of Hauppauge, was driving 70 mph in a 30 mph zone when he sped through a red light and slammed into a vehicle driven by Patricia Espinosa around 6 a.m. on Jan. 31, according to authorities.
Espinosa, a 42-year-old Nassau County Police Officer, was on her way…
Person Unresponsive Following Rideshare Crash: Bridgeton PD
A person was found unconscious following a crash in Bridgeton Sunday morning, June 19, authorities said.
At 3:47 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of West Brigantine Avenue after a vehicle traveling northbound left the lane of travel and crashed into a parked vehicle, Brigantine police said.
Police found a passenger who was unconscious and unresponsive, officers said. Lifesaving measures were initiated and he was transported to a nearby hospital, police said.
The driver, who was operating a rideshare vehicle, was not injured, police said. The crash remains under investigation, poli…
