Category Archives: News
Howell teen pleads guilty to vehicular homicide in crash that killed friend, injured three
An 18-year-old Howell man admitted smoking marijuana and drinking before driving a car on March 21, causing an accident that killed a Freehold man and injured three people. Michael Woehrle pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, assault by auto, driving while intoxicated and violating the state’s driver’s license rules. His car collided with a car heading north on Route 9, killing his passenger and injuring the three occupants of the other car.
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Man hailed as hero for stopping ‘portal to hell’ attack in Union Township
When Hernan Agudelo looked out his sunroom window Friday into a dark morning, he had trouble seeing what was unfolding in his neighbors’ yard. But he knew something was terribly wrong. The 33-year-old husband and father walked out the front door of his Union Township house, went around the fence and into a yard strewn with items cleared out of a shed. There, he said, he witnessed a nightmare scene: A strange man was attacking one of his neighbors with a 10-inch, double-bladed knife.
Agudelo walked to his car, grabbed a small souvenir baseball bat, then returned to the backyard, where he swung for the attacker’s head, cracking it open, police said. He then tackled the man and held him until police arrived. Agudelo interrupted a bizarre attack, one that left two women near death, their bodies riddled with knife and hatchet wounds allegedly inflicted by Morgan Mesz, a 25-year-old who claimed he had been searching for “the portal to hell,” according to police.
Both women — 53-year-old Carolyn Bunnell and 50-year-old Barbara Perrine — were listed in critical condition last night in University Hospital in Newark. The two encountered Mesz after noticing all the things had been taken out of their shed and tossed into their yard township Police Director Dan Zieser said. Mesz, who lives on nearby Nottingham Way with a girlfriend, repeatedly stabbed both women until Agudelo intervened, Zieser said.
When officers arrived, the suspect was walking toward the front yard, blood running down his body, and Agudelo was screaming for them to stop him, the police director said. Mesz received stitches at the hospital and underwent a mental evaluation.
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Heroin, cash, paraphernalia seized in Toms River
Police seized hundreds of bags of of heroin, thousands of dollars in cash and arrested a Philadelphia man late Thursday evening, said officials. Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group and Toms River police executed a search warrant at the Holiday Inn on Route 37 and seized approximately 250 bags of heroin, $7,000 and drug paraphernalia associated with the operation of a drug production facility such as grinders, sifters, scales and thousands of empty, unused wax paper folds and rubber bands used to package drugs including heroin, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ahmed Young, 50, of Newhall Street in Philadelphia, was arrested at the Ocean County Mall on Hooper Avenue during the raid. Young was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, operating and maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to Ocean County Jail, here, with bail set at $175,000 cash only.
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Long Branch woman accused of robbing elderly woman in parking lot
A Long Branch woman was arrested after police say she robbed an elderly woman in a business parking lot Wednesday. Police were called to a Sears Department Store parking lot at Seaview Square Mall on Route 66 around 1:20 p.m. regarding a robbery. Officer Trevor Dickerson met with a 77-year-old woman who said she was sitting in her parked car when a beige minivan pulled up behind her. The driver, later identified as Jessica Figueroa, walked up to the woman’s car and opened the front passenger’s door, according to Peters.
The elderly woman was startled and Figueroa was able to grab her purse from the seat before running back to the minivan, Peters said. The woman ran after Figueroa and stood in front of the minivan demanding that Figueroa return her purse, according to Peters. The woman pounded her fists on the hood of Figueroa’s vehicle but Figueroa put it in reverse and backed away from the woman before speeding out of the parking lot.
The woman and a store employee who witnessed the incident and came to help, both reported the minivan’s license plate number to police, Peters said. Detectives Patrick Martin and Jeffrey Malone went to the address register to the vehicle and Figueroa pulled up shortly after them, Peters said. She was charged with robbery.
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Jersey City cab driver acquitted of charges he held senior citizen hostage in taxi
A Jersey City cab driver was found not guilty today of allegations he locked a 77-year-old passenger in his cab after refusing to accept the man’s senior discount fare. During the trial Abdalziz testified he drove Harkins to Kennedy Boulevard and Fairmont Avenue on April 9 and upon arrival Harkins showed him a senior citizen card and in keeping with city policy, offered Abdalziz half the $4.50 fare. The driver said he demanded identification and when Harkins said he had none on him, he refused to accept the discounted fare. Abdalziz said Harkins told him he’d had the same problem with a cab driver previously and said he was calling police. Instead, the cabbie told Harkins to stay in the car and he called police himself.
Abdalziz testified, and the judge agreed, that Harkins was free to leave the cab at any time. Abad said Harkins said he wanted to wait for police anyway. The arriving officers filed no charges against driver or passenger and Abdalziz accepted Harkins’ $2.25 fare, which was handed to him by the officers. After today’s verdict, Harkins said he was shocked Abad ignored his testimony stating the Abdalziz had locked him in the cab and repeatedly refused to let him out.
Abdalziz was represented by Jersey City Attorney Patrick G Patel.
Story is here.
Cranford police officer suffers broken hand when narcotics arrest turns violent
A Cranford police officer was hospitalized after a narcotics arrest turned violent during the early morning hours today at Cranford High School. Officer John Rattigan was conducting a security check of the Cranford High School property at approximately 1:22 a.m. when he saw three men crouching behind a retaining wall located in front of the school building. With another officer respondeding to assist, the officers approached the group and found all three were to be in possession of suspected marijuana, as well as an open container of alcoholic beverage. As they were being placed under arrest, all three attempted to run away.
Despite being ordered to stop, Russell Holtz Jr., 19 of Rahway, attempted to flee and was tackled to the ground and handcuffed. Nathanael Greene, 19 of Cranford physically resisted and had to be wrestled to the ground when he tried to pull away to flee. He continued to flail his arms and strike at Officer Wagner, and was eventually subdued and restrained with assistance from other officers. During the melee, Officer Wagner suffered a broken hand and had to undergo surgery later in the day.
Colin Embry, 18 of Westfield, fled the scene on foot towards Berkeley Place, but was identified by police due to his New Jersey driver’s license which was left at the scene. Embry turned himself in at the Cranford Police Department a few hours later. As a result of the incident, all three subjects were charged with resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.
If you are charges with any crimes in Union County, call the Union County Criminal Defense Lawyers at 732-773-2768 to discuss your charges.
Greene was additionally charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and Holtz was charged with underage possession of an alcoholic beverage. Police recovered three zip top bags of suspected marijuana and open bottles of Bacardi Rum and wine at the scene.
Cranford Police Chief Eric Mason believes the incident highlights the dangers his officers face every day. “In this day and age, no community is immune to violence, and no incident is routine,” he stated. “These officers confront criminals and respond to unpredictable situations every day; they place themselves in harm’s way each and every time they come to work. In this particular case it resulted in a serious injury and I wish Officer Wagner a safe and speedy recovery.”
Holtz and Embry were released after processing with a first appearance scheduled in Superior Court on January 3, 2011. Greene was released after posting $5000 bail, also with a first appearance on January 11, 2011.
Bounty hunter arrested for firearms possession after fugitive escapes
Bounty hunter Richard Winant, of Jackson, opened fire at about 7:15 p.m. Thursday night on the 300 block of River Road, Lakewood. Winant allegedly fired one, 9 mm round at Nicholas Barone, 30, of the High Point garden apartments on Prospect Street. After Winant hit Barone’s car, Barone then attempted to run him over. One of
Winant’s hands was struck by the car. He was treated for minor injuries at the scene and refused further treatment. To his credit, Winant called police to report his injury and the shooting. However, they arrested him for illegal possession of a weapon — a 9 mm automatic handgun. Due to the Graves Act, he could be looking at some hard time unless he gets a great lawyer to help him out.
Barone was arrested later at his apartment by Lakewood police. They found him with a loaded handgun. He was charged with resisting arrest, unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
story is here.
Holiday Weekend Shoplifting Cases Expected to be High
Paramus Shoplifting Lawyers
With the economy bad and unemployment high, shoplifters are likely to be out in droves this weekend. As a result, shoplifting cases in Paramus, Livingston, Woodbridge, Elizabeth, Freehold, Stafford, Jackson and other towns where shoplifting cases are common are likely to be high. Our New Jersey shoplifting attorneys have found that early attorney involvement can make a big difference in the ultimate outcome of the case. With electronics always a favorite target of shoplifting defendants, it becomes easy for anyone to pick up felony charges. If you are charged with shoplifting in New Jersey and the value of the items allegedly taken is over $200, you will be facing felony charges. Even if the value is under $200, shoplifting charges are getting tougher to defend. For unknown reasons, courts around New Jersey are taking a tough line on shoplifting charges by preventing prosecutors from offering good plea bargains. Thus, it is more important than ever to get a shoplifting lawyer that will fight for you.
Keansburg Aggravated Assault Charges Against Several People
Keansburg Aggravated Assault Lawyers
Six people were injured, and they and six others have been charged as a result of a Thanksgiving Day brawl. The fight stemmed from an earlier altercation between two 18-year-old boys. Richard LeComte Sr., his sons Matthew and Richard Jr. and his 14-year-old daughter, confronted Lamar Shabazz at his home about what he said was Shabazz assaulting his son, Brian LeComte, according to police. Within minutes, Richard LeComte Jr. punched Shabazz and a melee ensued. Police said that when Shabazz got back into his home, he grabbed a carving knife began threatening the LeComte family. Police said that Richard LeComte Jr. used metal knuckles to punch several people in the face and head, causing injuries.
Richard LeComte Jr. of South Concourse, Aberdeen, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault; possession of a weapon, the metal knuckles; rioting; and disorderly conduct. Police said he was released after posting $85,000 bail. Richard LeComte Sr. and Matthew LeComte, both of Main Street, Keansburg, were charged with disorderly conduct and rioting, and were released in $2,500 bail each. Shabazz of Oakwood Place was charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and rioting.
Charged with disorderly conduct were Pamela Harbison, of Oakwood Place, and Anita Diaz, of Center Avenue in Keansburg; Latesha Harbison, of Trenton; and Jessica Harbison, of Fayetteville, N.C.
Four juveniles — members of the two families involved in the brawl — were charged with disorderly conduct, police said, and the state Division of Youth and Family Services were notified about their involvement. Also, officials will follow up on code violations at the Oakwood Place home where the group fought and the landlord of the property faces complaints for maintaining a nuisance at the address.
Source: APP.COM
Ocean Township Police issue over 60 tickets for consuming alcoholic beverages while under the legal
Ocean Township consuming alcoholic beverages while under the legal age on private property
Ocean Township police broke up another large party filled mostly with Monmouth University students. Police were originally called to the home for an assault complaint. When the police got there, there was no alleged victim. However, the patrolman did find a large party with over 60 people drinking who were under 21. As a result 61 tickets were issued.
story is here.
Tonacchio Law LC 