Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office (MCPO)

One dead, one injured after Route 1 crash in Edison

One dead, one injured after Route 1 crash in Edison

EDISON, N.J., July 30 (ZFJ) — One motorcyclist was killed and one motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash at the intersection of Route 1 North and Old Post Road in Edison on Sunday, July 28. On Sunday, at about 8:13 p.m., authorities responded to the intersection after receiving a report of a multi-vehicle crash, according to a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. Police located Alexander Teshima Chong, 44, of Belleville, who had been operating a motorcycle at the time of the collision.
Edison man charged for Millbrook Village stabbing

Edison man charged for Millbrook Village stabbing

EDISON, N.J., July 26 (ZFJ) — Joan Franklin Polanco, 37, of Edison, has been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing that occurred in Edison on Sunday, July 21, 2024, announced Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department. On July 21, Edison police responded to a call for a welfare check of the victim, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit. Shortly after, at about 4:37 p.
Perth Amboy man charged with first-degree murder

Perth Amboy man charged with first-degree murder

July 9 (ZFJ) — Raymond Maldonado, 34, of Perth Amboy has been charged in connection with a June 30 homicide in Perth Amboy, announced authorities on July 1. According to a criminal complaint, on June 30, at about 1:12 p.m., the Perth Amboy Police Department received a 911 call from a relative who said that she went to the victim’s home to check on her and found her unresponsive on the living room floor with bruising and blood around her face.
North Plainfield man arrested for vandalism of Rutgers Center for Islamic Life

North Plainfield man arrested for vandalism of Rutgers Center for Islamic Life

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 22 (ZFJ) — Jacob Beacher, 24, of North Plainfield, has been charged with a federal hate crime for breaking into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) on 122 College Avenue in New Brunswick, announced federal authorities on Monday, April 22. Beacher, not affiliated with Rutgers, was arrested this morning and federally charged with one count of intentional or attempted obstruction of religious practice and one count of making false statements to federal authorities.
Rutgers Center for Islamic Life broken into, vandalized on Eid

Rutgers Center for Islamic Life broken into, vandalized on Eid

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 14 (ZFJ) — The Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) was broken into and vandalized on Eid. The Center reported on Instagram that art pieces with Quranic verses, windows, TVs, printers, artwork, and the Palestinian flag were damaged. “This reprehensible act, occurring on our sacred day, is undoubtedly fueled by Islamophobia is clearly a hate crime targeting our Muslim population at Rutgers,” the Center wrote.
Man sentenced to life in prison without parole for 2018 Edison Speedway gas station murder

Man sentenced to life in prison without parole for 2018 Edison Speedway gas station murder

EDISON, N.J., April 4 (ZFJ) — Marcus Wright, 27, of Beaufort, South Carolina, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of an Edison Speedway gas station employee that occurred on Dec. 20, 2018, announced Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. Wright was convicted on Sept. 12, 2023, of the murder of John Bertram, 38, of the Fords section of Woodbridge; armed robbery; conspiracy to commit armed robbery; and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
South Brunswick police make gun trafficking arrest after five-month investigation

South Brunswick police make gun trafficking arrest after five-month investigation

April 4 (ZFJ) — Wayne Bagley, 68, of South Brunswick was arrested following a five-month investigation, announced South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka on Tuesday, March 5. According to Hayducka, the joint effort by the South Brunswick Police Department, ATF, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Bagley traveled to other states, purchased handguns at gun shows, and transported the firearms back to New Jersey for resale. Over the course of the investigation, he traveled to West Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.