Author: Breaking Local News Report

Somerville, NJ – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, along with the chiefs of the Bernards Township and Hillsborough Township police departments, announced the arrest of Jose Cabanzo-Pena, 28, and Luis Eduardo Pena-Garzon, 32, both of Queens, NY, in connection with a series of motor vehicle burglaries across Somerset County, New Jersey. On June 24, 2024, local law enforcement became aware of a vehicle linked to Cabanzo-Pena and Pena-Garzon as it entered Bernards Township and was located at Mountain Park. An investigation indicated that the two men had been targeting parks throughout the county for motor vehicle burglaries. Surveillance was…

Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, led by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, directed by Drew Skinner, are currently investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in East Orange, following a police pursuit that started in Newark. The incident resulted in the death of one driver and non-life-threatening injuries to two other drivers. The crash involved multiple vehicles, including a civilian vehicle that was struck by the pursued vehicle, which also hit two other vehicles, one of which was a parked…

Edison, NJ – Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department announced that Joan Franklin Polanco, 37, of Edison, has been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing that occurred in Edison on Sunday. On Sunday, at approximately 4:37 p.m., the Edison Police Department received a 911 call reporting a stabbing on Horizon Drive. Upon arrival, officers found Lizbeth Benitez-Rivera, 37, of Edison, with multiple stab wounds. Benitez-Rivera was pronounced deceased at the scene. An investigation led by Detective Clint Hetzell of the Edison Police Department and Detective Javier Morillo of the Middlesex County…

Virginia Beach, VA – The Virginia Beach Police Department has issued a swimming advisory for the Oceanfront Area from 22nd Street to 37th Street. Recent testing by the Health Department revealed that bacteria levels in the water do not meet state water quality standards, prompting the advisory. Swimming and wading are currently prohibited in the affected areas. Signs will be posted on the beach to alert the public. A resample of the water has already been taken, and results are expected to be available tomorrow morning. To receive status updates on beach conditions directly to your phone, sign up for…

Montgomery County, MD – Officers from the Montgomery County Police Department arrested Drimitri Lemaire, 32, of Takoma Park, on multiple handgun charges following a traffic stop on Friday. The arrest occurred after officers from the 3rd District Community Action Team investigated a community complaint of illegal drug activity in the Cornet Ct. area. During their investigation, officers observed a Hyundai Kona committing multiple traffic violations and initiated a traffic stop. During the stop, officers spotted a handgun with an extended magazine in plain view inside the front passenger’s crossbody bag. The handgun was identified as a privately manufactured firearm. The…

QUEENS, NY — Harold Vega, 46, has been indicted on multiple charges after a high-speed chase in Astoria on July 3 led to the severe injury of an e-bike rider. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the charges following Vega’s arraignment on a 13-count grand jury indictment. The charges include first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and other related offenses. Vega, a Bronx resident, allegedly engaged in reckless driving behaviors that endangered many during the pursuit. According to the District Attorney, Vega ran through 26 red lights and 14 stop signs, drove against traffic, and on sidewalks, ultimately striking e-biker Arturo Aguirre…

TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the New Jersey Racing Commission have announced a new record set during the Haskell Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park. The total handle reached $21,748,294, surpassing last year’s record by nearly 2 percent. The event also marked the highest attendance since 2015, with 38,976 racing fans present, a significant increase compared to the year American Pharoah won the Triple Crown. The highlight of the day was the $1 million, Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes, which was won by Dornoch. With this victory, Dornoch has earned a free entry…

NEWARK, NJ — The Newark Public Safety Department is seeking the public’s assistance to identify a suspect involved in a recent package theft. Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé announced that the theft occurred early on Wednesday, near the intersection of N. Munn Avenue and Tremont Avenue. A local resident reported the theft of two Amazon packages from their doorstep at approximately 6 a.m. The suspect, a slim-built Black male with braided hair, was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts, and sneakers colored white, black, and teal. After the theft, he was observed fleeing southbound on N. Munn…

MORGANTON, NC — Dustin Timothy McCormack, a 37-year-old landlord from Morganton, North Carolina, faces serious charges after allegedly entering his tenants’ home unlawfully and shooting their pet. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office reported that McCormack was arrested last week and is charged with felony animal cruelty and breaking or entering. The incident, which occurred while the tenants were on vacation on July 15, came to light when video footage provided by the victims showed McCormack kicking and shooting their cat. Additional evidence from McCormack’s live Facebook video and posts further implicated him, showing references to the incident and images of…

KISSIMMEE, FL — A Florida sheriff has been fined $500 for a public records violation after he inadvertently posted a photo of a deceased 13-year-old girl on his Instagram account. Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez expressed regret following the incident involving the photograph of Madeline “Maddie” Soto, discovered deceased in a rural area in March. The photo’s release triggered a legal response as it breached Florida’s strict public records laws, which safeguard the confidentiality of minors involved in violent crimes. The Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office issued a noncriminal citation to Sheriff Lopez last week. The citation stated that Lopez…