ATLANTIC CITY — A woman suspected of trying to rob an Atlantic City bookstore was chased down by two patrons who were occupying video booths in the shop's adult section, according to a report on PressofAC.com. Cathy Burgos, an employee of the the Atlantic City News and Bookstore, told the Press of Atlantic City that on Tuesday evening a...

Google MapsAtlantic City News and Bookstore, located on S Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, was the scene of an attempted robbery Tuesday.

ATLANTIC CITY — A woman suspected of trying to rob an Atlantic City bookstore was chased down by two patrons who were occupying video booths in the shop's adult section, according to a report on PressofAC.com.

Cathy Burgos, an employee of the the Atlantic City News and Bookstore, told the Press of Atlantic City that on Tuesday evening a woman held a sharp object to her back and demanded she open the register. As the woman fled with the money, Burgos screamed for help and two men emerged from the booths in the back of the store and chased the suspect down.

The woman was eventually apprehended and police determined the weapon was a screwdriver, the report said.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK — A 20-year employee of the South Brunswick school district is in custody on charges of stealing computers from township schools, including a laptop taken two years ago that was sold on eBay and ended up in Texas. George Elliot, 55, of Marlboro, who most recently was head custodian at the Brunswick Acres Elementary School in South...

George Elliot, 55

SOUTH BRUNSWICK — A 20-year employee of the South Brunswick school district is in custody on charges of stealing computers from township schools, including a laptop taken two years ago that was sold on eBay and ended up in Texas.

George Elliot, 55, of Marlboro, who most recently was head custodian at the Brunswick Acres Elementary School in South Brunswick, was arrested Tuesday at the school board offices,
Sgt. James Ryan said.

Charges stem from a lengthy investigation into the theft of computers and electronic devices over the last six years.

Police got a break in the case when a laptop stolen in 2008 was taken to an Apple computer dealer for repairs, Ryan said. He said the dealer discovered the computer had been reported stolen and notified South Brunswick police.

South Brunswick Detective Jeff Russo contacted the owner of the computer, who lives in Texas and said he bought it through an eBay account, Ryan said. He said Russo traced that account to Elliot.

As police were arresting Elliot at the school board offices, other officers searched Elliot's home and found another laptop computer stolen from a district school in 2009, Ryan said. He said police also confiscated an assault weapon.

Elliot had worked several positions in the school district, including jobs at the township high school.

He faces theft charges and is being held at the Middlesex County jail in North Brunswick in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Police said about 27 computers and electronic devices have been stolen from township school since 2006, mainly from the high school and Brunswick Acres school.

"These acts are outrageous given the time span Mr. Elliot has been abusing the public dollars," police Chief Raymond Hayducka said. "We will continue to work to identify and charge any persons who aided in these crimes," he said.

Police ask that anybody with information about the thefts to call Russo at (732) 329-4646.

NEWARK — A forensic scientist who tested blood and other evidence that were collected at the scene of the August 2007 schoolyard triple killing is testifying this morning at the trial of one of the defendants accused. The scientist, Matthew Wood, was employed by the New Jersey State Police Office of State Forensics at the time of the killing,...

NEWARK — A forensic scientist who tested blood and other evidence that were collected at the scene of the August 2007 schoolyard triple killing is testifying this morning at the trial of one of the defendants accused.

The scientist, Matthew Wood, was employed by the New Jersey State Police Office of State Forensics at the time of the killing, in which six young men were charged. Wood, an expert in forensic stain analysis, examined several pieces of evidence days after the Aug. 4 schoolyard shooting, including a cigarette butt, a napkin, hair fibers and blood, then sent them to a state DNA laboratory for a fuller examination.

The latest defendant to stand trial in Superior Court, Alexander Alfaro, 20, is charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, along with related robbery and weapons offenses in connection with the killing behind Mount Vernon School.

Prosecutors say the six defendants set upon four college-bound friends that night in what began as a robbery, and what has been called gang-related. Iofemi Hightower and Dashon Harvey, both 20, and Terrance Aeriel, 18, were lined up against the school wall and shot in the back of the head. They died. Terrance’s sister, Natasha Aeriel, who was 19, was shot in the head but survived.

Aeriel testified last week, but did not remember Alfaro. The trial is in its second week, and so far, prosecutors have not brought out any forensic evidence linking Alfaro to the scene.

Prosecutors say Alfaro admitted to attacking Hightower with a machete in a taped statement to police following his arrest, which will be played at trial.

Another defendant, Rodolfo Godinez, was convicted last spring by a jury and in September, Melvin Jovel admitted to being the gunman. Both were sentenced to more than 200 years in prison.

Previous coverage:

• Newark schoolyard slayings trial to resume with detective testimony

• Lone survivor in Newark schoolyard triple slaying recounts harrowing experience at trial

• Survivor in Newark schoolyard triple fatal shooting won't be permitted to say she was sexually assaulted

• Defense argues evidence in Newark schoolyard slayings doesn't implicate second suspect on trial

• Archive: Newark schoolyard slayings trials

PINE HILL — A councilman in New Jersey has resigned after being charged with endangering the welfare of children and creating and distributing child pornography. Pine Hill Mayor Fred Costantino told The Courier-Post of Cherry Hill that Charles Reilly stepped down Tuesday. Reilly was also placed on paid administrative leave from his job as an art teacher at Pine...

Borough of Pine HillA Pine Hill councilman facing charges of endangering the welfare of children has resigned.

PINE HILL — A councilman in New Jersey has resigned after being charged with endangering the welfare of children and creating and distributing child pornography.

Pine Hill Mayor Fred Costantino told The Courier-Post of Cherry Hill that Charles Reilly stepped down Tuesday.

Reilly was also placed on paid administrative leave from his job as an art teacher at Pine Hill Middle School after he was charged last week.

Officials say the 43-year-old engaged in improper activities with boys between the ages of 12 and 15. His lawyer has said it's too early to comment on the charges.

Extra guidance counselors were brought to the school Tuesday to help students, faculty and staff.

Previous coverage:

• Pine Hill art teacher facing more charges for endangering welfare of nine other boys

Man who sold drugs near a child development center was sentenced incorrectly because the center doesn't qualify as a school under state law

Google MapsA map view of the Goddard School in North Brunswick, near where a man was caught selling cocaine. The state Supreme Court ruled the man was sentenced incorrectly because the center doesn't qualify as a school under state law.

TRENTON — New Jersey's Supreme Court has ruled a man who sold drugs near a child development center was sentenced incorrectly because the center doesn't qualify as a school under state law.

Jason Shelley pleaded guilty to selling cocaine to an undercover officer within 1,000 feet of the Goddard School for Early Childhood Development in North Brunswick. The center is licensed by the state and operates a kindergarten program, among other offerings.

Shelley was indicted for distributing the drugs near school property and sentenced to four years in prison with three years' parole ineligibility. A state appeals court vacated the sentence and concluded the child care center didn't qualify as an elementary school under state law.

Wednesday's 6-1 Supreme Court ruling upheld the appellate decision. Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto dissented.

MOUNT OLIVE — A Netcong man was arrested at a Laundromat on Sunday after allegedly stealing women's underwear, police said. Vidalino Perez, 27, removed the underwear from the dryer and was placing it into a bag, according to Officer Eric Anthony. Perez was taken from the laundromat at Plaza 141 on Route 46 and charged with disorderly conduct. He...

Google MapsStreet view of the shopping center on Route 46 in Mount Olive, where a Netcong man was charged with stealing women's underwear.

MOUNT OLIVE — A Netcong man was arrested at a Laundromat on Sunday after allegedly stealing women's underwear, police said.

Vidalino Perez, 27, removed the underwear from the dryer and was placing it into a bag, according to Officer Eric Anthony.

Perez was taken from the laundromat at Plaza 141 on Route 46 and charged with disorderly conduct. He was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance.

ORANGE — A Newark resident was killed and a second victim was wounded when gunfire erupted on a street in Orange on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. Jamal Robinson, 30, was shot and killed in the 300 block of North Day Street in Orange at 3:15 p.m., said Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. A second...

Google MapsA Newark man was killed and another person was wounded in a shooting Tuesday on North Day Street in Orange.

ORANGE — A Newark resident was killed and a second victim was wounded when gunfire erupted on a street in Orange on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

Jamal Robinson, 30, was shot and killed in the 300 block of North Day Street in Orange at 3:15 p.m., said Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. A second man was also shot during the attack, Carter said.

Robinson died at the scene, according to Carter, while the second victim was taken to University Hospital in Newark and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Authorities have not determined a motive or suspect in the killing.

Lester Hayes had initially been charged in the killings, but has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery in exchange for his testimony against defendant Rolando Terrell

IRVINGTON — A man testifying today at the murder trial of a reputed Bloods gang member, who is charged with killing four people in an Irvington home and then setting it afire, described how the defendant went to the home looking for drugs, then started shooting once he was told there was none.

The witness, Lester Hayes, 50, had initially been charged with four counts of murder in the Sept. 8, 2008 killing, but has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery in exchange for his testimony against the defendant, Rolando Terrell.

Hayes spent 18 years in prison for burglary and robbery and said he knew Terrell from their time together at Rahway State Prison.

Terrell, 39, a reputed ranking Bloods member, stands accused of killing Candes McLean, 40; her 18-year-old daughter, Talia McLean; her niece, Zakiyyah Jones, also 18; and her boyfriend's daughter, 13-year-old Latrisha Carruthers-Fields.

Testifying in Superior Court today at Terrell's murder trial, Hayes said the defendant told him drugs would be at the home and it would be an easy robbery. When the two men entered the Columbia Avenue home of Candes McLean that morning, Terrell demanded to know where the drugs were. "Where is it at?" Hayes said Terrell kept repeating.

McLean, who prosecutors have acknowledged sold drugs, told him the drugs were gone. Angry, Terrell pulled out his 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and pressed it to her neck, Hayes said. "Think I'm playing with you?" he told her.

McLean threw a wallet at Terrell, who picked it up, Hayes said. Terrell then grabbed the gasoline-filled bottle of Corona he brought and splashed it on the floor, the witness said. Hayes said he turned around to leave, believing Terrell got what he came for. Walking down the house steps, Hayes said he heard a gunshot, then another, then another, then another. He never saw Terrell fire the shots, he said.

Terrell's defense attorney will begin cross-examination after lunch.

Previous coverage:

• Lone adult survivor recounts night of Irvington quadruple killing

• Reputed Bloods member accused of fatally shooting 4 people, setting fire to Irvington house to hide crime

• Daughter of victim killed by reputed Bloods member expected to testify in quadruple slaying trial

• Irvington quadruple slaying, arson leads to indictment against two Essex men

• Judge: Murder suspect entitled to hearing to learn nature of evidence used in his arrest

• Accused man's right to evidence at issue in Irvington quadruple slaying

• Reputed gang member arraigned in Irvington slayings

• Suspect in 4 Irvington slayings turns himself in

ELIZABETH — A 32-year-old Elizabeth man was fatally shot outside a nightclub in Elizabethport early Saturday morning, authorities said today. After the 2:40 a.m. shooting, Donnell Johnson was taken to Trinitas Regional Medical Center, where he died not long after, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. The shooting happened near the corner of 3rd and Court streets, just...

Google MapsAn Elizabeth man was fatally shot Saturday outside a nightclub near the corner of 3rd and Court streets in Elizabethport.

ELIZABETH — A 32-year-old Elizabeth man was fatally shot outside a nightclub in Elizabethport early Saturday morning, authorities said today.

After the 2:40 a.m. shooting, Donnell Johnson was taken to Trinitas Regional Medical Center, where he died not long after, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. The shooting happened near the corner of 3rd and Court streets, just up the road from the Allstars Nightclub, the authorities said.

Homicide detectives have several people of interest in the case, but had not made an arrest as of 3 p.m. today, the prosecutor’s office said.

The shooting, although not reported publicly until today, is the city’s first homicide of the year. A partially-decomposed body discovered in Elizabeth on Monday, identified this morning as 23-year-old Marlon Castaneda, was also ruled a homicide, Prosecutor Theodore Romankow said.

Castaneda, of Franklin Street, was last seen Oct. 9, and was reporting missing two days later, the prosecutor said.

It’s not clear why there was such a long delay before the prosecutor’s office released details about the Saturday slaying.

Anyone with information about Castaneda’s death can call detective Steven Francisco at (908) 514-1722.

Related coverage:

• Partially decomposed body found in Elizabeth is identified as missing 23-year-old man

DOVER — A town employee helped authorities nab three burglary suspects, police said. Michael Stalter, an equipment operator in Dover, was working near Bassett Pub Bar on Oct. 14 when he noticed the door to the bar had been kicked in. He then saw three men fleeing the scene and called police, according to Sgt. Richard Gonzalez. Antonio Fedullo,...

Google MapsPolice are crediting a Dover employee who was working near the Bassett Pub Bar with helping them nab three burglary suspects.

DOVER — A town employee helped authorities nab three burglary suspects, police said.

Michael Stalter, an equipment operator in Dover, was working near Bassett Pub Bar on Oct. 14 when he noticed the door to the bar had been kicked in. He then saw three men fleeing the scene and called police, according to Sgt. Richard Gonzalez.

Antonio Fedullo, 22, and Michael Affronte 22, both of Morristown, and Nicholas Zumbro, 21, of Victory Gardens, were arrested and charged with burglary and theft.

The three were identified early in the investigation, Gonzalez said, but all denied any involvement.

Police continued the investigation and after three months of work were able to arrest the three men.

Affronte was charged with burglary, theft, conspiracy, criminal mischief and hindering apprehension.

Fedullo was charged with burglary, theft and conspiracy.

In June, Zumbro allegedly pulled a knife on Edward Correa, a candidate seeking nomination for a seat on the Dover Board of Aldermen. He was charged with burglary, theft, conspiracy and criminal mischief and is currently in Sussex County Jail.

Previous coverage:

• Victory Gardens man accused of menacing Dover candidate

RANDOLPH — A Randolph man pleaded guilty today in federal court in to possessing child pornography. Peter Dafferner, 67, admitted to Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark that he had more than 600 images of child pornography on a computer in his home in September 2009, and that some of those images showed minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct with...

RANDOLPH — A Randolph man pleaded guilty today in federal court in to possessing child pornography.

Peter Dafferner, 67, admitted to Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark that he had more than 600 images of child pornography on a computer in his home in September 2009, and that some of those images showed minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct with other minors and adults, as well as in sadistic and masochistic conduct, federal authorities said.

Five mayors had made moves to block Christie from nominating a judge in shared court agreement among the towns

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerWhile taking questions from the audience during a town hall meeting today at St. Judes' Parish Hall, Gov. Chris Christie points to the back of the room as he calls on Douglas Wick, from Basking Ridge.

MORRIS COUNTY — Gov. Chris Christie wants "local input" on nominees to joint municipal courts, but he will exercise his legal authority and exert final control over the appointments, his spokesman said today.

Responding to a dispute over the Dover Joint Municipal Court, Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts said the governor will likely approve the five Morris County towns’ nominee for presiding judge — former Parsippany mayor Michael Luther.

"Mr. Luther by all appearances is qualified," Roberts said. "But he’s still going to be vetted by this office. We won’t be a rubber stamp."

After publication of an article in The Star-Ledger on Tuesday, Christie called two mayors who were quoted, in an effort to resolve disagreements over the court. The article reported that the mayors drafted a plan to convert the joint court into a shared court, which would enable them to appoint a judge themselves.

SHARED SERVICES

The joint court was started just two years ago under a shared-service agreement that was expected to save $2.65 million over 10 years. With a shared court, the towns would share a building but would have to run separate courts, which would require more bookkeeping and would likely cost more money.

Christie’s call to Mayor William Chegwidden of Wharton proved so encouraging to the mayors that they decided to put the shared court plan on hold. Christie "is looking out for what the municipalities want, and he wanted the input of the mayors," according to Chegwidden.

"I told him we put a lot of time into this (joint court) and we’d still like some local control."

Christie "agreed he would appoint our recommendation," Chegwidden said.

Roberts acknowledged Christie had called Chegwidden, but said the towns still need to formally submit their nomination of Luther.

Dover Mayor James Dodd said Luther’s nomination papers, including his résumé, were turned in Jan. 5.

"We’ll be glad to submit them again," he said.

Christie’s office released three letters sent to the five mayors in January and February.

The letters, from the governor’s appointments counsel, Michele Brown, noted the towns had "taken steps to dismantle the joint municipal court in order to avoid the required gubernatorial appointment process, which may result in additional financial expenditures to your municipalities."

WANTS A LOOK

"Rather than take this drastic step, we would encourage you to forward Mr. Luther’s résumé to this office, and we will have him go through our vetting process," Brown said in a letter dated Jan. 21.

Governors have always had authority over appointment of judges to joint courts, but in the past they quickly accepted the towns’ recommendations, according to municipal and judicial spokesmen.

The post in the Dover court has been vacant since the former presiding judge, Philip Maenza, was promoted to the state Superior Court in January 2010. The second judge in Dover, Arnold Miniman, has been serving as acting presiding judge. The towns were preparing to announce Luther’s nomination when someone from the governor’s office called Dover Mayor Dodd in late 2010 and said the governor would name the judge himself.

"What was said was the governor was going to come into town and put this ship right," Dodd recalled.

"It took us aback because the court is a huge benefit to all the communities involved."

But the mayors’ tone changed after Christie’s call to Chegwidden on Tuesday.

"I give (Christie) all the credit in the world because he called me directly," Chegwidden said.

"A lot of times, if you’re not dealing with someone directly, the message gets lost with the messenger."

IRVINGTON — Lester Hayes testified Wednesday he was forced into robbing an Irvington home, then turned his back as the reputed Bloods gang member who enlisted him fatally shot four occupants inside and set fire to the house. Minutes later, the alleged gunman, Rolando Terrell, now 39, sped through the streets in a getaway car while he bopped his...

IRVINGTON — Lester Hayes testified Wednesday he was forced into robbing an Irvington home, then turned his back as the reputed Bloods gang member who enlisted him fatally shot four occupants inside and set fire to the house.

Minutes later, the alleged gunman, Rolando Terrell, now 39, sped through the streets in a getaway car while he bopped his head to rap music — the 9 mm handgun tucked in a door pocket — and threatened to shoot a pedestrian after nearly running her over, Hayes said. Terrell pulled the vehicle over in East Orange to hand a school girl $40, then turned to Hayes, who was riding shotgun, and said, "‘Yeah, that’s what I do,’" Hayes told the Superior Court jury in Newark, referring to Terrell.

The two men, both ex-convicts, were arrested shortly after the Sept. 8, 2008, fatal shooting of four family members at the Irvington home in what prosecutors say began as a robbery. Hayes, now 50, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery — he was initially charged with murder — in exchange for his testimony against Terrell.

The men knew each other, though not well, from their time at East Jersey State Prison, Hayes said Wednesday during the second day of Terrell’s murder trial.

Inside the house on Columbia Avenue in Irvington, prosecutors say, Terrell shot and killed Candes McLean, 40; her 18-year-old daughter, Talia McLean; her niece, Zakiyyah Jones, 18; and her boyfriend’s daughter, 13-year-old Latrisha Carruthers-Fields. Candes’ 19-year-old daughter, Anijah, survived by hiding in a closet, and saved her 16-month-old nephew, who was unhurt but whose shirt was covered with blood.

Hayes testified he was an unwilling participant, scared for his life and forced to comply after Terrell, an alleged ranking gang member known as "Ratman," pulled the semiautomatic gun out and cocked it.

"Is it real?" Hayes said he asked him.

"Yeah," came the reply.

In 2002, Terrell was acquitted of fatally shooting a Latin Kings gang member but served a total of seven years in prison for a related gun charge.

Terrell’s attorney, Joseph Krakora, used his time on cross-examination to hammer away at Hayes’ repeated statements that he was coerced into the robbery. Krakora reminded Hayes that by pleading guilty to conspiracy, he had already admitted to it. He added Hayes’ testimony was simply a ploy by a "career criminal" hoping to reduce his prison sentence; Hayes said he expects to receive 20 years for the guilty plea. Krakora noted Terrell never directly threatened the man. "He didn’t have to," Hayes answered.

Candes, McLean, a popular cheerleading coach for the Newark Pop Warner league, also sold drugs, Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Roger Imhof acknowledged at the start of trial on Tuesday. Her boyfriend, Michael Fields, was in prison at the time on drug crimes, and Terrell entered the home believing there would be cash and drugs inside, authorities said.

McLean let him in, Imhof said, because she knew and trusted him. "She believes he is a protector," Imhof told the jury.

But Hayes said Terrell erupted when McLean told him there were no drugs. He pulled his gun out and pressed it to her neck, Hayes said, as several of the two dozen victims’ relatives in the court gallery gasped.

"Where’s it at? You think I’m playing with you?" he demanded, Hayes said. Candes McLean pleaded, Hayes said in testimony that matched that of Anijah McLean, who took the stand on Tuesday to recount that day.

The gun at her neck, Candes McLean pushed Terrell back, grabbed a wallet with some cash and threw it at him, Hayes said. Terrell grabbed the cash, then took a beer bottle he had earlier filled with gasoline and splashed it over the room.

When Hayes turned around to walk out the door, he heard the first shot explode, then four more before he reached the street. Terrell emerged minutes later, Hayes said, "like it was nothing."

The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday, March 22.

ATLANTIC CITY — Jurors in the Atlantic City voter fraud case are about to enter a third day of deliberations. Late Wednesday afternoon, they asked the judge for a copy of his lengthy instructions to them on the law governing the case. A decision on whether they will get it, and in what form, will be made Thursday morning....

AP Photo/Ben FoglettoAtlantic City Councilman Marty Small.

ATLANTIC CITY — Jurors in the Atlantic City voter fraud case are about to enter a third day of deliberations.

Late Wednesday afternoon, they asked the judge for a copy of his lengthy instructions to them on the law governing the case. A decision on whether they will get it, and in what form, will be made Thursday morning.

The jury must decide whether Councilman Marty Small and five co-defendants tried to steal the 2009 Democratic mayoral primary by tampering with or mishandling absentee ballots designed for voters too sick or confined to make it to the polls on Election Day.

Small was acquitted of similar charges in 2006 involving a mayoral election in which he was not a candidate.

Previous coverage:

• Jurors still weighing fate of Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small in voter fraud trial

• Jury may be close to verdict in Atlantic City councilman's voter fraud trial

• Jury deliberations begin in voter fraud trial of Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small

• Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small forged absentee ballots, prosecutor says in closing statement

• Attorney: Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small's fraud trial based only on drug dealer's claim

• Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small testifies others collected absentee ballots without him knowing in voter fraud case

• Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small to be cross-examined in his voter fraud trial

• At voter fraud trial, Atlantic City councilman says 2009 mayoral campaign was 'above board'

• Defense begins in Atlantic City councilman's voter fraud trial

• Witness in voter fraud trial of Atlantic City councilman falls ill, gets arrested

• Judge rules Atlantic City councilman tried to intimidate witness in ballot fraud trial

PLAINFIELD — The bodies of two missing people from Plainfield have apparently been found in New York City, according to a report on the WABC-7 website. Police believe the bodies found in the trunk of a silver 2011 Nissan Altima on East 52nd Street near Snyder Avenue in East Flatbush, Brooklyn are those of Evande Orna, 39, and Troy...

Courtesy of the familyEvadne Oma and her friend Troy Edwards of Plainfield

PLAINFIELD — The bodies of two missing people from Plainfield have apparently been found in New York City, according to a report on the WABC-7 website.

Police believe the bodies found in the trunk of a silver 2011 Nissan Altima on East 52nd Street near Snyder Avenue in East Flatbush, Brooklyn are those of Evande Orna, 39, and Troy Edwards, 40. They found the bodies at around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a call from police in Richmond, Va., the report said.

The two were last seen Feb. 20 when they departed New Jersey for Virginia.

Previous coverage:

• Missing Plainfield residents believed to have been victims of foul play in Richmond, Va.

HACKENSACK — The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office will stop monitoring the Hackensack Police Department on Friday. The prosecutor stepped in last April following the arrest of Police Chief Charles "Ken" Zisa. Zisa was suspended and has been indicted on charges of a pattern of official misconduct, insurance fraud and witness tampering. City manager Stephen Lo Iacono told The Record...

Google street viewCity Hall in Hackensack.

HACKENSACK — The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office will stop monitoring the Hackensack Police Department on Friday.

The prosecutor stepped in last April following the arrest of Police Chief Charles "Ken" Zisa. Zisa was suspended and has been indicted on charges of a pattern of official misconduct, insurance fraud and witness tampering.

City manager Stephen Lo Iacono told The Record newspaper Capt. Tomas Padilla, who was named the acting officer in charge, will continue to lead the department.

Related coverage:

• Hackensack police officials indicted on misconduct, witness tampering charges

• Hackensack police chief charged with fraud, misconduct sues cop union

• Hackensack police chief charged with fraud, misconduct had side security business

• Suspended Hackensack police chiefs gets $53K for unused sick time

• Bergen County prosecutors add misconduct to charges against Hackensack Police Chief

• Hackensack police chief charged with insurance fraud is due in court

MOUNT HOLLY — A Camden County man was arrested Wednesday night after he allegedly broke into a Madison Avenue restaurant, stole a DVD player and led police on a short chase around 9:30 p.m., according to a report on PhillyBurbs.com. The suspect, John Harris, 45, of Magnolia, also allegedly threatened a bystander with a box cutter and struggled with...

Google MapsA map view of the restaurant's location.

MOUNT HOLLY — A Camden County man was arrested Wednesday night after he allegedly broke into a Madison Avenue restaurant, stole a DVD player and led police on a short chase around 9:30 p.m., according to a report on PhillyBurbs.com.

The suspect, John Harris, 45, of Magnolia, also allegedly threatened a bystander with a box cutter and struggled with police during his arrest, though authorities said there were no serious injuries as a result of the chase.

Harris was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, burglary, theft and weapons-related offenses, the report said.

ATLANTIC CITY — A juror in the Atlantic City voter fraud trial told a friend she was so distraught about the way deliberations were going that she wanted to break her arm in order to get off the panel. The friend told the judge overseeing the case this morning about a phone call the juror made Wednesday night. Pleasantville Patrolman...

ATLANTIC CITY — A juror in the Atlantic City voter fraud trial told a friend she was so distraught about the way deliberations were going that she wanted to break her arm in order to get off the panel.

The friend told the judge overseeing the case this morning about a phone call the juror made Wednesday night.

Pleasantville Patrolman Theresa Tully said the juror, a dispatcher with the Pleasantville department, called to vent about her treatment in the jury room. Tully said the juror was emotional and said she wanted to get off the jury so badly that she was considering hurting herself.

"She said, 'If I have to break my arm not to go back there tomorrow, I will,'" Tully quoted the juror as saying. "She said she just didn't want to go back there. She was so emotionally upset, crying."

Tully told Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten that the juror asked what would happen in open court if the jury could not reach a verdict.

"She asked me if they poll the jury and it's a hung jury, do they poll the jury and each juror?" Tully testified.

The jury has been deliberating since Monday. It is trying to determine whether Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small and five co-defendants tried to steal the 2009 mayoral primary by manipulating or tampering with absentee ballots designed for voters too sick or confined to make it to the polls on Election Day.

The juror had not yet testified before the judge this morning.

Previous coverage:

• Deliberations in Atlantic City voter fraud trial enter third day

• Jurors still weighing fate of Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small in voter fraud trial

• Jury deliberations begin in voter fraud trial of Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small

• Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small forged absentee ballots, prosecutor says in closing statement

• Attorney: Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small's fraud trial based only on drug dealer's claim

LINDEN — A Linden conman assumed the names of high-profile concert promoters in recent months, scamming arts venues around the country out of booking fees for well-known music acts that he'd never even spoken to, authorities alleged this morning. Yusuf Nadir, a 38-year-old bulging man with a thick beard, was arrested at his home this morning on the 1200...

Union County Prosecutor's OfficeYusuf Nadir, 38, is accused of scamming arts venues across the country.

LINDEN — A Linden conman assumed the names of high-profile concert promoters in recent months, scamming arts venues around the country out of booking fees for well-known music acts that he'd never even spoken to, authorities alleged this morning.

Yusuf Nadir, a 38-year-old bulging man with a thick beard, was arrested at his home this morning on the 1200 block of East St. Georges Avenue, Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow said.

Nadir's scheme targeted major venues and elicited payments — totaling at least $100,000 — for supposed shows in Ohio and North Carolina, according to the prosecutor, whose special investigations unit has been probing the man's alleged work. He has been charged with numerous counts of theft by deception, criminal impersonations and writing bad checks.

Nadir started the scam as recently as late last year, but detectives from around the country are still looking for more victims, authorities said. They're working with companies that include Live Nation.

His scheme, the prosecutor said, worked like this: Nadir would call a venue, claiming to be some big-name promoter working for artists like rapper Lil Wayne. Then, he would promise to deliver that artist for a show, and ask that a "down payment" be transferred into his bank account, Romankow said.

The students at Montclair State were victimized by a similar scheme in September, when a supposed talent agency promised a show headlined by emerging singer and rapper Nicki Minaj. The student government sold about 900 tickets for the homecoming concert, but Minaj never knew a thing about it. She took to Twitter when she heard from a student there: "Wut concert? Neva heard of it," she said, calling it a scam.

Asked today if Nadir was involved in that case, a spokesman for the prosecutor simply replied "active investigation."

University Police at Montclair were investigating after the concert that never was, hoping to recover the $30,000 the school's Student Government Association paid, spokesman Paula Maliandi said at the time.

Nadir was sent to the Union County jail this morning on $75,000 bail. Anyone with information about the case is asked to called Detective Jamieson Antonio at (908) 527-4558.