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Woman accused of throwing hot coffee at bus driver's face

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NJ Transit arrested two people in recent days on charges of assaulting personnel

NEWARK-- Two people have been arrested in the last few days for allegedly assaulting NJ Transit employees, NJ Transit Police said in a statement Wednesday.

byrdie.pngBrydie (NJ Transit police)  

Around 7:30 a.m. Friday, police say Sakinah Brydie of Newark boarded a bus at Broad and Market streets in the city. Brydie then began arguing with the driver before throwing a hot cup of coffee in the driver's face, police said. The driver suffered minor facial burns.

Brydie, 40, was quickly arrested after leaving the bus. She was charged with aggravated assault on a bus driver, possession of drugs and failure to hand over the drugs to police. She was released on her own recognizance.

Brydie faces up to five years in prison and $15,000 in fines if convicted on all charges.

On Monday, police also arrested Michael Grella, 33, of Linden, for allegedly assaulting a train conductor.

Around 11:15 a.m., Grella was on a North Jersey Coast Line train when he began arguing with a conductor over the fare, police said. As Grella exited at the South Amboy station, he shoved the conductor in the chest, according to police.

grella.pngGrella  

Grella was arrested at the station and charged with aggravated assault. He was also charged with hindering apprehension after police learned he was wanted on outstanding warrants issued in Linden and in Essex County.

Grella faces up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

"NJ Transit will not tolerate any type of assault on an employee,'' said Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. "We will work with our local law enforcement partners to ensure these and other acts like them are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.''

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.  

 


Woman hit by vehicle, seriously hurt in Newark's Ironbound

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Prosecutor's office investigating after pedestrian struck in the city.

NEWARK -- A woman suffered serious injuries when she was hit by a vehicle in Newark's Ironbound section Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

The pedestrian was hit at Warwick and Adams Street, according to Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter. 

Officials did not immediately release additional details. The woman was not publicly identified. The prosecutor's office was investigating. 

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

Mayors pledge to stand by immigrants despite Trump's threats

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Sanctuary cities, like Newark, are jurisdictions that limit their cooperation with federal immigration agents and could lose federal funding under President Trump's new executive order.

NEWARK -- New Jersey's so-called sanctuary cities remained resolute in their commitment to protect undocumented immigrants hours after President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order Wednesday that would slash federal grant money from such places.

"It's not only inappropriate or wrong, it's hostile to many communities like Newark," Mayor Ras Baraka said during a joint press conference with immigrant organizers, Muslim advocacy groups and other elected officials from Maplewood, East Orange and Newark. 

He said it was "criminal" to cut federal dollars and "to punish other Americans, to punish the residents of this community, to punish them in terms of housing, in terms of police, in terms of roads, in terms of infrastructure, to punish them because they refuse to cooperate in sending their neighbors away unlawfully."

Newark commits to protecting immigrantsImmigrant rights organizers and city leaders gathered Wednesday to denounce President Trump's executive orders on immigration. (Karen Yi| NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

Trump signed two executive orders on Wednesday that would begin construction of a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, hire an additional 5,000 U.S. Border Patrol agents, another 10,000 immigration officials and withhold federal dollars from sanctuary cities. 

"We are here to stay, we are not leaving, we are here to stand with immigrant communities from all races, all ethnicities and all religious backgrounds," said Johanna Calle, of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, an immigrant advocacy group. "When the federal government or anybody who wants to come after our communities, comes for one of us, they come for all us."

The executive order targeting sanctuary cities does not specify the type of federal grants that would be cut but states jurisdictions that limit communication with federal immigration authorities would be impacted. 

"We will stand against this intrusion of our rights to protect our residents," Maplewood Mayor Victor DeLuca vowed as immigrants and children gathered behind him holding posters that read: "No to Islamophobia, no to deportations" and "Here to stay." Maplewood passed ordinance saying that local police would not assist federal agents in identifying or arresting immigrants based on legal status.

Legal immigration experts and advocates say sanctuary cities are jurisdictions with policies that limit the extent to which they cooperate with federal immigration agents. That usually means declining to hold undocumented immigrants arrested locally on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under a so-called detainer request. 

There are 37 cities, 365 counties and five states with policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, according to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. 

Newark only arrests undocumented immigrants who commit crimes and enforces detainer requests only if they are accompanied by a judge's order.

But sanctuary cities has become a loaded term. 

"It doesn't mean that we're harboring people that the federal government is looking for who have committed a crime," Baraka told reporters. "It means that we're not participating with the enforcement agencies to go after immigrants simply because they are undocumented."

And, it remains a misnomer -- federal immigration agents can still conduct raids, deport undocumented immigrants and enforce immigration laws with or without the help of local authorities.

Steven Campoverde, 11, standing near his mom, said he was scared his parents, who are undocumented, would be deported. Campoverde and his younger brother are U.S. citizens and live in Newark. 

"I just want to force Donald Trump to stop putting us away," he said. "My parents are going but we are staying here. My mom and dad feed us every day, they are my family."

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook

Vintage N.J. candid photos

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The most fun photos are the ones that just ... happened.

Posed vintage photographs are invaluable, certainly.

Who doesn't treasure the formal wedding photos that show the bride, groom and attendants donning styles of the times. Similarly, the prom picture taken by a professional photographer captures a memorable moment in one's timeline.

In truth, the prom picture also probably has a lot of people asking themselves, "What possessed me to wear that?".

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

Families take holiday photos each year that allow friends to see how children have grown. Graduation photos are lovingly mounted on mantles and walls by parents and grandparents.

Yet I think a lot of people would agree with me that the most fun photos are the ones that just ... happened.

greglisa.jpegIn my family, simply saying the words "knobby knees" makes everyone think of the same photo -- this one. That's me on the left. 

I'm talking about pictures that were taken with cameras that did not allow the photographer to see what the shot would look like until the film was developed - you know, the pre-Polaroid, pre-digital days (we've all left rolls of undeveloped film in drawers for longer than we'd like to admit, haven't we?).

But it was this same inability to know what the picture looked like that resulted in some of the best candid photos. Like the ones in this gallery, all from pre-digital days, candid photos can provide a chuckle or simply a natural look into a time and place from days gone by.

Here's a gallery of such vintage candid photos from New Jersey. Enable captions to read about them, and if you'd like more, click here and here to see previous candid galleries.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

Compare your property taxes with any town in N.J.

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We built a tool that compares how much your town's property tax went up or down in 2016. Check out how your town's property taxes compared.

TRENTON -- On Wednesday, the state released the latest New Jersey property tax numbers for 2016, and it wasn't pretty.

According to the latest figures, New Jersey property owners paid $8,549, $196 more than they did the previous year.

The data showed that in 2016 the average tax bill increased about 2.35 percent. It was slightly higher than the 2.2 percent increase in 2015. 

N.J. property taxes hit another new high in 2016

Essex County property owners were hit the hardest, paying an average of $11,550, followed by Bergen County at $11,311 and Union County at $10,821. Cumberland County taxpayers paid the least, an average of $4,027, according to the state data.

As the statewide property taxes surges year after year, is your town part of the trend? Or have taxes in your municipality gone down?

Find out using our comparison tool with the latest property tax data below. You can choose your town from the dropdown menu and compare it to other towns.

We also included how much the taxes have changed since 2010- the year Gov. Chris Christie instituted a 2 percent property tax cap that went into effect the following year. Pension and health benefit costs, debt and emergency expenses are not subject to the cap, however.

Note: In the graphic, we're including two numbers for 2010 property tax figures- one that's adjusted for 2016 inflation and one that's not. This is to note how much you spent in 2010 in property taxes is actually worth in 2016 dollars.

Jury deliberating in trial of man accused of killing teen

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From the outset, attorneys have argued the prosecution's case relies on the credibility of witness identifications of the man who allegedly shot Khalil Williams in February 2012.

NEWARK -- The fate of a man accused of killing an Irvington teenager during a robbery four years ago is now in the hands of an Essex County jury.

Jurors spent all of Wednesday deliberating after hearing five days of testimony and arguments by attorneys.

Azim Brogsdale, 21, faces murder and other charges in the fatal Feb. 17, 2012 shooting of Khalil Williams, 16.

The state's case against Brogsdale -- which the prosecution has acknowledged lacks DNA, incriminating fingerprints or a murder weapon -- hinges largely on the testimony of three people: witnesses Davon Arrington and Naeem White, and alleged co-conspirator Haroon Perry.

Perry, who has already pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and other charges in Williams' slaying, testified last week he drove Brogsdale and two other men to the scene of the robbery, and watched Brogsdale and another man rob Williams and three other teens at gunpoint.

It was during that robbery, Perry said, that he saw Brogsdale shoot Williams.

Arrington and White both picked Brogsdale's picture out of photo displays at the Essex County Prosecutor's Office following Williams' shooting, despite having only given a very different physical description of either of the attackers in their initial statements to investigators.

In closing arguments Tuesday, defense attorney Raymond Beam Jr. argued Perry -- who closely matched White and Arrington's original description -- fabricated Brogsdale's involvement to minimize his own role and avoid spending the rest of his life in prison.

Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab argued White and Arrington were traumatized when they gave their initial statements, and that Perry couldn't have known he would have the opportunity for a plea deal when he gave his own incriminating statement to detectives in March 2012.

Lawyer argues witnesses lied

Prior to closing arguments, both sides acknowledged that White gave false information on the stand when he told Beam he had reported a key element of his identification of Brogsdale to authorities prior to trial.

Deliberations are expected to resume Thursday.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

NJSIAA football committee tweaks power points, delays major playoff changes

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The NJSIAA football committee approved changes to its qualification system and sent a proposal to blow-up the current playoff format back for revisions

ROBBINSVILLE – The NJSIAA Football Committee approved changes to its power points system on a trial basis and sent a proposal that would revamp the playoff format back for revisions before being voted on by the general membership next December on Wednesday.

Multiple members of the football committee, speaking to NJ Advance Media on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the meeting, said discussions about power-point amendments and the Westwood High School proposal for playoff expansion “were tense and lengthy.”

“What we need is a qualification system and a playoff format that is equitable for most of the kids playing football in New Jersey,” said Marlboro athletic director Dave Ryden, a football committee member. “You are never going to get a perfect system.

“It isn’t going to be solved in a day, a week or a month, but there are enough intelligent people in this state to come up with an equitable plan. This is about the 15 to 18-year-olds playing football in our state. It isn’t about North vs. South.”

The committee approved a power-point adjustment plan submitted by the North Jersey Super Football Conference.

Under the adopted plan, NJSFC Red and White division teams will still gain automatic entry to the playoffs. However, there were significant changes. Gone are the double power points for games featuring Red Division opponents and victories being awarded to both teams.

Here are the changes:

• In games involving United Red vs. United Red, the winner would get 32 power points and the loser 16 points. In the event of a tie, both teams get 24 points.

• In games involving United Red vs. United White: The United Red team would get “natural” power points for a victory. If United Red loses, it would get 12 points. In the event of a tie, United Red gets natural power points. United White teams would get 36 for a win, 24 for a loss and 30 points for a tie.

• In games featuring an out of division team against United Red, the out of division team would get 54 points for a win, 36 for a loss and 45 for a tie.

• In games featuring out of division teams against United White: the non-divisional team would receive 48 points for a win, 32 for a loss and 40 for a tie.

• Out of division teams that use the power point incentive (play a team from United Red or United White) and lose to a team within its section head-to-head can jump the loser even if it has a lower power-point total. If No. 8 was an incentive participant and lost to No. 6, it could jump No. 6. It would have a trickle-down effect – No. 6 would move to No. 7, No. 7 to No. 8 and the original No. 8 could be forced out of the playoffs. This rule does not impact non-incentive teams.

• Out of division teams that use the power-point incentive and have a 2-6 record or lower can be jumped in their section if teams below them have a lower power-point total.

Last season, Linden missed out on the playoffs despite having a better record than Columbia.

"There has to be some failsafes in it where teams with losing records just because they have a, let’s just say, a super conference team on their schedule, they shouldn’t be guaranteed the points simply for playing them," said Linden head coach Albert Chiola.

Sources told NJ Advance Media the power point proposal passed unanimously, although it was the only proposal under consideration. 

“It's a crock,” said one committee member. “It was either accept this proposal or go back to what we have now. At least this proposal was a little better than the one they used this year.”

“These other schools down there need to wake up because they are where we were 10 years ago,” said Montclair coach John Fiore. “So why not get these extra points and take a shot one game a year?”

“Why don’t they do it then,” said Ewing athletic director and WJFL president Bud Kowal, a committee member, in response to Fiore's quote “They are right across the street and won’t play those teams (United Red and United White), but they want people two hours away to come up and play them.”

“We’re trying to schedule one of those guys,” said St. Augustine head coach Mark Reardon. “We can’t play a full schedule of them. I don’t want to take four bus rides over two hours a year.

“We have been actively trying to add or strengthen our schedule for a long time, if that’s a team from New Jersey or Maryland or Pa. But with the WJFL, we have a set schedule and we’re fine with that.

“It’s easier for a private school to schedule another private school. First we need a public school on our schedule to agree to drop the game and we have a team who might be willing to do that. But then we need to find a game on that date and they need to find another public school, probably, on that date for a 2-year commitment and that’s really hard to do. It’s hard for a public school to find a game. It’s almost impossible.”

The proposal drafted by Westwood athletic director Danny Vivino, River Dell athletic director Denis Nelson and the North Jersey Super Football Conference, is aiming to revamp the entire playoff structure in an attempt to make regular-season scheduling fairer and more equitable.

The plan would blow-up the football format as we now know it.


RELATED: Read about the NJFSC's playoff proposal


“There were major concerns with playoff expansion and No. 1 playing No. 16,” one committee member told NJ.com. “There were also some concerns expressed by some members about starting on zero week.

“The plan will not be voted on as it was submitted. There will be revisions about what was discussed today and probably even more changes moving forward. They are going to run some mocks to see how things would have turned out.”

Once the revisions are made and approved by the football committee, it would go to a vote of the full membership in December. If passed by the membership, the new playoff format would be implemented for the 2018 football season.

Joe Zedalis may be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @josephzedalis. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.

NJ.com girls basketball Top 20, Jan. 26: N.J.'s top team gets a scare

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No cake walk to get to 16-0


Non-traditional grad paths prompt MSU to add winter commencement

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The school has also changed its commencement schedule due to increased enrollment, officials say.

MONTCLAIR -- After graduating from Ridge High School in 2014, Rowan Lambie started as a freshman at Montclair State University. With the hope of going to law school, Lambie doubled up on classes.

"I wanted to differentiate myself, to say look what I was able to do," she said.

Lambie finished her undergraduate degree in just two-and-a-half years.

Carolyn Meyer started at MSU in the fall of 2012. The psychology major unexpectedly took a break from school during her sophomore year, when her father was diagnosed with cancer, and later died.

"I wanted to continue my education, but it just wasn't realistic for me to finish school on time," she said.

The two are part of what school officials said is a growing trend among students - not graduating in the traditional four years. More and more students are graduating on different schedules.

That, combined with increasing enrollment at the school, which reached 21,000 students this year, prompted Montclair State to switch its commencement schedule this year from a one-ceremony event, to a three-ceremony plan -- including one in January.

"The accomplishment of earning a degree is a life-changing one," said Willard Gingerich, MSU's provost and vice president for academic affairs.

"We are happy the university's growth to a record enrollment has allowed us to make this change and offer the new January commencement ceremony, which will recognize the accomplishments of our graduating students upon completion of their studies."

MSU cops save construction worker's life

Before the switch, students who graduated after the fall semester or winter session had to travel back to school several months later for the traditional May ceremony, or to forego graduation exercises altogether.

On Monday, Montclair State held its first January commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center, in which Lambie, Meyer, and 2,275 of their classmates celebrated finishing college on their own schedules.

"There's almost a shame associated with not finishing school on time," Meyer said. "To have to go back (for graduation) four months later, you've already moved on."

Having a mid-year commencement ceremony, she said, "makes it feel more real, and like your accomplishment is worth being celebrated, too."

According to Complete College America, a nonprofit that promotes the expansion of access to college educations, most college students don't graduate "on time."

Only 41 percent of full-time students at "flagship" universities - each state's most prominent public school - and 20 percent of full-time students at non-flagship public universities graduate in four years, CCA statistics show. Just 5 percent of students at two-year schools graduate on time, the group said.

In May, Montclair will split its remaining graduates into two ceremonies - one for graduate students, and one for undergraduates.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The 17 places in N.J. you need to visit in 2017

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Every traveller needs to establish some priorities

N.J.'s 2017 football recruiting flips, decommitments and other possible changes

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Some of New Jersey's top football recruits have been changing their allegiances regarding their college destination.

N.J. man gets 7 years in prison for crash during police chase, report says

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The 32-year-old from Newark was already wanted on attempted murder charges

A New Jersey man who crashed into a construction truck while being pursued by police in Maryland last year has been sentenced to seven years in prison, according to a report.

porter.jpgKeon Porter 

Four people were in the truck when Keon L. Porter, 32, slammed into it at the intersection of Route 279 and Blue Ball Road in North East on June 28, 2016, CecilDaily.com said.

The Newark man initially was pulled over on Interstate 95, but sped off when the state trooper walked from his patrol car to Porter's Acura.

Porter was later convicted of four counts of second-degree assault, fleeing and eluding.

He and the four workers were hospitalized after the crash. None of the injuries were life-threatening.

Prior to his arrest, Porter had been sought on attempted murder charges in Pennsylvania and human trafficking charges in Tennessee, the report said. 

Porter allegedly twice shot a man outside a Harrisburg, Pa. bar in September 2015 following an argument, PennLive.com reported. 

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

Newark man who shot at merchant, carjacked motorist arrested in Virginia, cops say

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Man accused in robbery at Ironbound store.

OrlandoNieves.jpgOrlando Nieves (Photo: Dept. of Public Safety) 
NEWARK -- A 29-year-old Newark man, who is accused of robbing an Ironbound jewelry store and shooting at the merchant before he escaped in a carjacked vehicle, was arrested in Virginia after tips from residents, police said Thursday.

Orlando Nieves was taken into custody Wednesday by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose. Nieves faces robbery, carjacking, aggravated assault and weapons offenses in the Dec. 1 holdup at Vinhas Jewelers Inc on Ferry Street.

Nieves asked a salesperson to see some gold chains before he pulled a gun on the clerk, according to Ambrose. He put the chains in his fanny pack and left the store.

When the store owner tried to follow Nieves, he suspect fired toward the merchant, according to authorities. Nieves stepped in front of a Nissan Altima on Polk Street and ordered the driver out at gunpoint before fleeing in the stolen car.

Police soon released security camera images of the suspect, including photos of a distinctive tattoo on his right arm. Ambrose said Newark Major Crimes Bureau detectives secured an arrest warrant for Nieves after residents came forward to community service officers at the city's 3rd police precinct.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Carjacking duo sentenced to prison for stealing luxury cars

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The pair carjacked a Range Rover in Belleville and tried to carjack a Mercedes in Newark; one man carjacked an Acura on his own

 

NEWARK -- Two Newark men who took part in multiple carjackings in Essex County in 2013 were sentenced to prison on Wednesday.

Dion Hines, 23, received 16 years while Roosevelt Robinson, 25, was sentenced to 14 years and three months in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Jersey announced.

Hines carjacked a 2009 Acura TL sedan at gunpoint in a Newark parking lot on Sept. 26, 2013, authorities said.

The following morning, Hines, Roosevelt and a third person combined to carjack a white 2013 Range Rover stopped at an intersection in Belleville. Hines was a passenger in an SUV that cut in front of the Range Rover and blocked its path. He jumped out of the SUV, pointed a gun at the driver and pulled the motorist out of the luxury car.

Hines then sped off, followed by the SUV and Robinson, who kept watch from a third vehicle.

Later that day, the Range Rover was located by law enforcement officials in Newark and a car chase ensued. The Range Rover rammed several police vehicles before it was trapped and stopped. 

Officers surrounded the vehicle with guns drawn, and Hines and Robinson exited the Range Rover and ran. They were taken into custody a short time later. A third individual, who was also in the Range Rover, was taken into custody immediately after the car was surrounded by officers. 

Police discovered a loaded black revolver in the Range Rover when they searched the vehicle. 

Their other carjacking attempt was unsuccessful as the intended victim fought back when they tried to carjack his 2010 Mercedes Benz E350 sedan in a Newark driveway. Hines fired at the car but he, Robison and a third man eventually ran away.

The victim held onto the driver's side door as his two attackers tugged at the door, court documents said.

Robinson jumped in the driver's seat of the car but the victim was able to pull him out and jump back in the car, the complaint adds.

The victim then put the car into reverse and was driving away when, prosecutors say, Hines returned and fired two shots at the Mercedes from a silver revolver.

When Hines and Robinson ran to a waiting car, the victim pursued them in the Mercedes, striking Robinson before he could get inside, the criminal complaint states

Robinson previously pleaded guilty to attempted carjacking, carjacking and one using a firearm during a crime of violence. Hines pleaded guilty to the same charges as well as one additional carjacking count.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Justin Zaremba contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

89-year-old woman killed by pickup truck in Newark

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Officials identify woman fatally struck in city's Ironbound section.

NEWARK -- An 89-year-old Newark woman was struck and killed by a pickup truck in the city's Ironbound section Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

Gloria DaCruz was hit by a Nissan Titan pickup truck around 2:35 p.m. near Warwick and Adams Street, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. She was pronounced dead at University hospital shortly before 4 p.m.

The pickup truck driver remained at the scene and no charges have been filed, according to the prosecutor's office. An investigation by Newark police and the prosecutor's office was continuing.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 


11 celebrities you may not have realized died in N.J.

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Notable people who died in the Garden State.

Officials ID woman found dead in Newark fire

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Cause of the fire remained unclear.

NEWARK -- Officials on Thursday identified the 26-year-old woman whose body was found in a fire ravaged vacant building in Newark's West Ward.

Lateisha E. Blair, of Newark, was identified using dental records, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said. The exact cause and manner of death was not yet known.

Newark fire crews responded to the blaze at the vacant three-story residential building on the 200 block of Eastern Parkway Jan. 20 around 6:30 p.m., according to authorities. Firefighters discovered Blair's remains inside as they doused the flames.

It was not immediately clear why Blair was in the building or if she lived in the neighborhood.

The cause of the fire also remained under investigation, the prosecutor's office said. Additional details were not immediately released.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

Newark man convicted of murder in teen's 2012 shooting

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He was one of three people charged by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office in connection with the Feb. 17, 2012 killing during a robbery in Irvington.

NEWARK -- After five days of testimony and a full day of deliberations, an Essex County jury on Thursday found a 21-year-old city man guilty of murder and 10 other charges in the 2012 slaying of a 16-year-old boy in Irvington.

Azim Brogsdale was one of three men charged in connection with Khalil Williams' death during the Feb. 17, 2012 robbery of him and three others near the intersection of Orange Place and Orange Avenue.

A jury in Judge Alfonse J. Cifelli's Newark courtroom found Brogsdale guilty of the following:

  • Conspiracy to commit robbery
  • The robbery of Williams
  • The robbery of Davon Arrington
  • The robbery of Naeem White
  • The robbery of Krishna Nesbeth
  • Felony murder, in the death of Williams
  • Murder, in the death of Williams
  • Unlawful possession of a .380-caliber handgun
  • Unlawful possession of a .45-caliber handgun
  • Possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose

"I took this as such a cowardly act," Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab said following the verdict, noting Williams was shot in the back as he tried to run away from the robbers.

"I just feel really said for the Williams family, as well as the three young men who were robbed," he said. "I'm grateful that the jury was able to return such a verdict for all the victims."

Haroon Perry, who testified as a witness at Brogsdale's trial, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and other charges under a plea deal with the Prosecutor's Office. 

Cifelli previously sentenced Marquise Hawkins, convicted of giving the command that led to Williams' shooting, to 55 years in prison for his role in the crime.

Cifelli scheduled Brogsdale's sentencing for 9 a.m. on March 31.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Newark police seize loaded AK-47, 4 charged

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Arrests came after police lieutenant heard gunfire, according to authorities.

NEWARK -- Officers seized a loaded AK-47 and arrested four Newark men after a police lieutenant heard gunfire and spotted the group fleeing the scene late Wednesday in the city's South Ward, authorities said.

Lt. Euclides Lopez, of Newark's 5th police precinct, was on patrol around 10:40 p.m. near Leo Place and Vernon Avenue when he heard shots fired in the area, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said Thursday. Lopez saw a Jeep Cherokee fleeing and tried to pull over the vehicle.

The Jeep driver ignored commands to stop and took off to Hedden Terrace, where the four men fled on foot, authorities said. Officers found the AK-47 in the Jeep.

The four -- Nygee Johnson, 18, Mutah N. Brown, 20, Naquan King, 21, and Nakyle Walton, 21 -- were taken into custody, according to Ambrose.

Johnson, Brown, King and Walton were charged with various weapons offenses and resisting arrest. Police said Walton, the Jeep driver, was also charged with eluding and traffic offenses.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Shootings leave 4 wounded in 4 days in Orange, source says

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Two shootings came within an hour Wednesday afternoon.

ORANGE -- Four people were shot within four days -- including two shootings Wednesday afternoon less than an hour apart -- in separate incidents in Orange, a city official with knowledge of the investigations confirmed to NJ Advance Media.

The string of shootings began Saturday night with incidents on Elizabeth Street and near North Center Street and Washington Street. In the Center Street shooting, a 17-year-old boy was shot in the arm, according to the official. The victim on Elizabeth Street, an adult male, also survived his injuries.

Gunfire erupted again Wednesday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. A man was wounded in a shooting on Oakwood Avenue, the source said. Several unmarked police cars were seen in the area after the injured man was removed by ambulance.

Security cut before shooting that killed teen, sources say

Approximately 20 minutes later, a man was shot multiple times on North Day Street, near Alden Street, the official said. The man was listed in stable condition. Investigators have not yet confirmed if the two Wednesday attacks were related.

Police cordoned off an area at North Day and Alden streets Wednesday afternoon, near a liquor store and deli. One resident said he heard at least two gunshots before officers rushed into the area.

An Orange spokesman did respond to requests for information on the recent shootings.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

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