Man Kidnapped, Sexually Assaulted Asbury Park Girl Through Extortion: Prosecutor
A 23-year-old Passaic County man was arrested and charged with luring an 11-year-old girl out of her home in Asbury Park by threatening to distribute explicit photos of her and then sexually assaulting her, authorities announced Thursday, Oct. 22.
Adolfo Cruz-Garcia, a Haledon resident, met the girl on social media on Friday, Oct. 2 and even though he knew her age, he solicited photos of her in a state of undress and offered her money in exchange for the performance of sexual acts, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said,
Several hours later, Cruz-Garcia arrived at the vi…
USR Mansion Owner Hired Arsonists To Set 4-Alarm Inferno: Officials
A Bergen County man hired two others to torch a local home using an accelerant and a homemade ignitor, setting off a fire that engulfed the residence, authorities said.
Emad E. Gerges, 66, of Upper Saddle River, allegedly hired Anthony V. Coviello, 54, and Joseph Vulpis, 62, both of Rumson, to set fire to the home at 18 Lake Rd., in May 2025, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Monday, Oct. 19.
Records show that Gerges owns or previously owned 18 Lake Rd., which was listed in February 2026 and sold for $825,000 four months later, property records show.
The fire broke out …
Man Went To Meet Teen Girl For Sex In Freehold, Got Detective Instead: Prosecutor
A 50-year-old Morris County man was arrested and charged after he tried to meet a 15-year-old girl for sex, only to find out he was talking to an undercover detective instead, authorities announced Friday, Oct. 16.
Jeffrey Lanci, a Washington Township man, contacted the "girl" on social media and sent sexually charged texts, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said.
Lanci arranged to meet the girl in Freehold, but when he realized he was busted, he fled the scene, driving over grass and onto a local highway, nearly causing several crashes, Santiago said.
He was taken into cus…
Alex Cooper Puts Red Bank Construction Heiress Alix Earle On Blast: 'There's No NDA'
Father Cooper has spoken.
Alex Cooper, 31, the host of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, didn't mince her words in calling out New Jersey influencer Alix Earle, 25, for allegedly starting "fake drama."
“Hey girl, the passive aggressive reposts and the likes and the commenting on things — I’ve got to call you out here,” Cooper, a Newtown, PA native, said Monday, April 13 in a TikTok. “You’re going to need to get specific and just say what you’ve got to say about me. There’s no NDA. No one is stopping you. Stop hiding behind other people and just say it yourself.”
Earle, whose father is Monmouth…
$1B Netflix Studio Sparks Plans To Transform Route 35 Plaza
A long-struggling Jersey Shore shopping plaza is getting a second chance.
TFE Properties, LLC has acquired Orchard Plaza, a 10-acre retail center on Route 35 South in Oakhurst, the company announced.
The plaza, which first opened in 1980 as a booming retail hub, has faced growing vacancies over the years. Now, the East Windsor–based developer is planning a full-scale revival.
“Monmouth County is an ever-growing destination for residents, vacationers, commuters, and businesses,” said Carey Tajfel, the president of TFE Properties. “And with the new Netflix production facility coming to the f…
2nd Arrest Made After Howell Man Found Shot Dead In Parked Car: Prosecutor
A 47-year-old Ocean County man has been arrested charged with the fatal shooting of a Howell man, authorities announced Thursday, Aug. 7.
Salvador Cabellos Diaz is charged with murder in the first degree and multiple weapons offenses, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said.
On Thursday, June 5 at 6:45 a.m., Howell police responded to White Street and found Rolando Acte Mejia inside a parked car, dead from two gunshot wounds, Santiago said.
Juan Jesus Mejia Yanza, a 33-year-old Howell resident, was arrested in June and remains in custody, Santiago said.
Diaz remains in custo…
2-Hour Standoff: Jersey City Man Arrested For Home Invasion, Spring Lake Police Say
A 36-year-old Jersey City resident was arrested and charged for a home invasion following a two-hour standoff on Saturday, July 26, authorities said.
At 12:06 a.m., officers responded to a residence on Tuttle Avenue after a man, later identified as Georgy Charles, entered their home, Spring Lake police.
Charles was confronted by homeowners in an upstairs bedroom and fled, police said. At 1:35 a.m., Charles was spotted in Belmar on Route 35, police said.
While stopped on West Sylvania Avenue in Neptune City, Charles refused officer’s commanders and barricaded himself inside the vehicle, pol…
Man Charged With Murder In Asbury Park Shooting: Prosecutor
A 19-year-old Asbury Park man was arrested and charged with murdering a teenager in April, authorities announced Friday, July 18.
Jordan Glisson is charged with the fatal shooting of Ah'kim Esdaile, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said.
On Tuesday, April 8, at 4:25 p.m., Asbury Park police responded to the 1100 block of Atlantic Avenue and found Esdaile, 19, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Santiago said. Esdaile was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
Glisson was arrested on Monday, July 14 by members of the U.S. Marshal…
