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,…
Lodi Man, 38, Threatens Women With Knife Outside Saddle Brook Smoke Shop: Cops
A 38-year-old man was arrested on accusations that he threatened two women with a knife outside a Bergen County smoke shop, authorities said.
On Saturday, Aug. 30, Saddle Brook police responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls for a fight in progress at It’s Lit Smoke Shop at 446 Market Street, according to Saddle Brook Police Chief John A. Zotollo Jr.
An investigation by responding officers led to the arrest of Nicholas R. Luna, of Lodi, who allegedly brandished a knife and threatened the two female victims outside the business, Zotollo said.
Luna was charged with second-degree aggravated assault,…
Lyndhurst Pair Stole $2K From Dead Woman, Confronted Brother About Lock Change During Wake: PD
Two New Jersey residents are accused of stealing nearly $2,000 from the bedroom of a deceased woman whom they occasionally assisted, and confronted the woman's brother during the wake about lock changes, police said.
On Saturday, July 19, at approximately 8:24 p.m., Lyndhurst police responded to a local residence for an unattended death, according to Lyndhurst Capt. Paul F. Haggerty. The death was determined to be from natural causes, but a police investigation was conducted as a procedural matter.
On Monday, Aug. 4, at approximately 10:40 a.m., the decedent’s brother and next of kin arrive…
NY Man Pulled Fake Gun In Palisades Park Road Rage Incident, Police Say
A New York man is facing charges after police say he pulled out an imitation gun during a road rage incident in Bergen County last weekend.
On Sunday, Aug. 31, at about 10:35 a.m., officers were called to Bergen Boulevard and E. Central Boulevard in Palisades Park for a report of a driver brandishing a handgun, Police Chief George Beck said.
Patrol Officer Stephen Kim spotted the suspected vehicle and driver several blocks away, Beck said. During the investigation, Kim found an imitation firearm believed to have been used in the incident, according to police.
Marcelino Amaya Castro, 50, of…
3 A.M. 911 Call Leads Rutherford Police To Man On Memorial Field Bleachers With Knife: PD
A 911 call early Sunday, Sept. 1 led police to a man at Bergen County football field with a stolen knife, authorities said.
At about 3:20 a.m., a 911 operator reported a male caller who said he was at a field before hanging up, Rutherford Police Chief John Russo said.
Lt. Craig Capoano traced the call near Memorial Field, dispatched officers, and monitored the field’s surveillance cameras, spotting the man later identified as Brian Smith of Union Beach, according to Russo.
Officers Thomas Kilroe, Courtney Dembowski, and Justin Finelli arrived to find Smith holding a knife. He complied with…
Man Used 8 Different Phone Numbers To Sexually Extort Victim, Bergen Prosecutor Says
A Massachusetts man is facing charges in Bergen County after he threatened to expose sexually explicit images of a victim in an attempt to force her into a sexual relationship, authorities said, noting he also shared pre-pubescent child porn online.
Robert J. Meserve III, 37, of Plymouth, MA, was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 27, following an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
In June 2025, the Cyber Crimes Unit received information about alleged sexual extortion, Musella said. An adul…
$762K Jersey Cash 5 Jackpot Ticket Sold At Montvale Gas Station
A Bergen County player is starting the weekend $762,724 richer after matching all five numbers in Thursday night’s Jersey Cash 5 drawing — the 45th jackpot win of 2025.
The winning numbers were 10, 12, 14, 21, and 42. The XTRA was 04 and Bullseye was 14, New Jersey Lottery officials said.
The winning ticket was sold at Chestnut Ridge Exxon Tiger Market, 142 Chestnut Ridge Rd. in Montvale, which will receive a $2,000 bonus for selling it.
The jackpot has reset to $150,000 for Friday’s drawing.
