Newark New Jersey Burglary ChargesNewark New Jersey police recently apprehended a man thought to have committed a string of burglaries of local churches and businesses.

Newark NJ public safety officials allege that the suspect committed a series of break-ins in the South Ward and other areas in Newark. The suspect allegedly broke into at least six properties, some of which were churches, by gaining access from the buildings’ rooftops.

Newark detectives conducted an investigation into the burglary spree and were able to connect the suspect to some of the break-ins.

Once the suspect had been identified, an arrest warrant was issued. Moreover, his photo was put on a “wanted” poster. This was a critical factor in his apprehension because a Newark NJ police officer later recognized the suspect when she spotted him walking in the South Ward of Newark, New Jersey.

After the suspect was arrested, Newark NJ investigators connected him to a few other burglaries that had been committed in the area.

The 44-year-old suspect, who is from Newark NJ, has been charged with numerous crimes, including six counts of burglary and two counts of criminal trespassing.

If the suspect is eventually convicted on any of the counts of burglary, he would be subject to severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2, burglary is typically classified as a third degree crime and carries a potential sentence of 3-5 years in NJ State Prison.

The Newark Police Department is still investigating the suspect, so additional criminal charges could be forthcoming. Anyone with information about the suspect or any break-ins that he may have committed should not hesitate to call the Newark Police Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS or 877-NWK-GUNS.

To learn more about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Man Targeted Newark Churches, Businesses during Burglary Spree, Police Say.”

Montclair New Jersey Eluding Police LawyersMontclair NJ police recently arrested a man accused of leading police officers on a car chase through multiple New Jersey towns.

The dangerous car chase started around 11:47 a.m. According to NJ State Police, numerous drivers on I-80 in Parsippany NJ dialed 911 and reported an “erratic driver.”

New Jersey State Police troopers later saw the suspect behind the wheel of a white Dodge pickup truck and driving eastbound on the highway in Parsippany, NJ.

The patrol officers tried to get the suspect to pull over his vehicle, but he reportedly kept driving and fled the area. The suspect eventually moved from I-80 to I-280 and later took Exit 8 and headed in the direction of Prospect Avenue in West Orange NJ. At that point, police stopped their pursuit of the suspect.

Less than an hour later, police officers got a tip that the suspect was in Montclair, New Jersey. Police later found the suspect at the YMCA of Montclair and placed him under arrest.

The suspect will probably be subject to criminal charges for eluding police. He could also be cited for traffic offenses like reckless driving and speeding.

If the suspect is ultimately convicted of eluding police, he faces significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2, a person who knowingly flees or attempts to elude a law enforcement officer after receiving a signal to bring the vehicle to a full stop can be charged with a third degree crime. A conviction for third degree eluding police could result in a sentence of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.

For additional information about this case, see the NJ.com article, “Driver Arrested after Chase from Parsippany to Montclair.”

Newark NJ Armed Robbery LawyersNewark NJ police recently apprehended a local woman who allegedly robbed a Subway store.

The theft incident is said to have happened just a short time after the store, which is located on Ferry Street in Newark, opened for the day. The suspect reportedly entered the store and walked up to the on-duty clerk.

The suspect was allegedly brandishing a knife as she demanded that the store employee hand over cash from the store register. The clerk refused, reportedly prompting the suspect to grab a tip jar from the counter.

The suspect then allegedly ran out of the store and fled the scene on foot.

The Subway clerk contacted the Newark Police Department, which dispatched officers to the scene. When Newark NJ police officers showed up, they canvassed the area and quickly located the suspect.

The 26-year-old suspect, who resides in Newark, was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Newark Police Department detectives are still investigating the robbery, so the suspect could potentially face additional charges.

If the suspect is convicted on the very serious robbery charges, she would face severe criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, anyone caught committing a theft while using a deadly weapon like a handgun or a knife can be charged with a first degree crime. A conviction on first degree armed robbery charges could lead to a sentence of 10-20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

For additional information about this case, see the NJ.com article, “Newark Police Arrest Woman Who Allegedly Robbed Subway Restaurant.”

Newark New Jersey Marijuana LawyersSome NJ officials are concerned that thousands of criminal convictions in Essex County and elsewhere in New Jersey could be overturned after a lab technician with the NJ State Police faked evidence in a drug case.

Kamalkant Shah was employed by the NJ State Police as a lab tech. Shah specifically worked with the North Regional Lab Drug Unit in Little Falls, NJ. In his capacity as a lab technician, Shah allegedly “dry labbed,” or faked data, on a substance suspected of being marijuana.

New Jersey authorities first became aware of the deception on December 10, 2015, prompting them to open an official investigation into Shah. While law enforcement investigated and gathered evidence, Shah was removed from laboratory work with the NJ police. Roughly one month later, on January 12, 2016, NJ officials formally suspended Shah without pay.

On February 22, Ellie Honig, who serves as director of the NJ Division of Criminal Justice, sent a letter to a number of New Jersey county prosecutors’ offices and said to local prosecutors that Shah had “failed to appropriately conduct laboratory analyses in a drug case.” Honig highlighted evidence showing that Shah had been caught “recording an anticipated result without properly conducting the analysis.”

Honig also asked NJ prosecutors to disclose this information to criminal defense attorneys in pending drug crime cases.

Another memo was sent on February 29 from New Jersey Deputy Public Defender Judy Fallon to NJ Public Defender Joseph Krakora. The memo provided details about the allegations against Shah. The memo also stated that Shah had been accused of fabricating important data in the marijuana possession case. The New Jersey deputy public defender went even further and said that Shah had been “observed writing ‘test results’ for suspected marijuana that was never tested.”

On March 2, 2016, the memo was posted on the NJ Municipal Court Law Update Service’s website.

The fallout from the allegations against Shah could be significant. For example, the criminal convictions in every case that Shah worked on as a lab technician for the NJ State Police could potentially be overturned. Since starting his employment with the police in 2005, Shaw worked as a lab technician on 7,827 criminal cases. Although investigators found only one instance of misconduct by Shah, it could still contaminate all of the criminal cases he was a part of. These cases were heard in courts throughout New Jersey, including Essex County, Bergen County, Morris County, and Passaic County. More than 2,100 cases in Passaic County could be affected by the allegations against Shah.

At this time, it does not appear that NJ prosecutors will be bringing criminal charges against Shah, who recently retired from the state police.

Right now, the NJ State Police is working with Essex County NJ prosecutors and trying to figure out the best way to deal with any pending drug crime cases in Essex County.

To learn more about this developing case, access the NJ.com article, “Lab Tech Allegedly Faked Result in Drug Case; 7,827 Criminal Cases Now in Question.”

Fairfield NJ DWI Accident LawyersFairfield New Jersey police recently apprehended a Hackettstown NJ man who was allegedly drunk when he crashed his vehicle through an office building.

The car crash went down around 2:30 a.m. According to law enforcement, the 52-year-old suspect was behind the wheel of a 2013 black Ford vehicle on Route 46 in Fairfield at the time of the scary car accident. The car slammed into the first floor entrance of a building on the 600 block of the highway.

Fairfield police officers arrived at the scene and talked to a security guard at an adjoining hotel building. The guard reportedly saw the car accident and said that the suspect’s vehicle crashed through one side of the office building and eventually came to a stop on the other side of the building.

After the auto accident, the suspect allegedly fled the scene. He was seen driving westbound on Route 46. Fairfield NJ police officers ultimately caught up to the suspect and stopped his vehicle. The suspect’s car reportedly showed signs of significant damage.

When police officers talked to the suspect, they reportedly observed that he was intoxicated. Fairfield police conducted a field sobriety test and allegedly learned that the suspect was under the influence of alcohol.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). He was also issued citations for a number of related traffic violations.

For further information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Drunk Driver Plows through First Floor of Fairfield Office Building, Police Say.”

Newark New Jersey Theft SuspectNewark police identified a suspect believed to have committed a home burglary in May 2015.

According to law enforcement, the burglary occurred at a home located on the 100 block of Lehigh Avenue in Newark, NJ. When the victim came back to her home, she noticed that it had been broken into and ransacked.

The victim went to her neighbor’s house to dial 911 and alert the Newark Police Department. The woman then walked back to her house and saw the suspect standing in her driveway and holding her possessions.

The victim used her cell phone to snap a photo of the suspect, who then ran away and fled the area.

It took a while, but Newark investigators were eventually able to identify the suspect – thanks to the photo taken by the victim, as well as DNA evidence from the scene of the burglary.

Law enforcement recently issued a warrant for the suspect’s arrest. If police eventually locate and capture the 49-year-old suspect, he will probably be charged with burglary and theft of movable property.

A conviction on the burglary charges would expose the suspect to significant criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2, burglary is typically classified as a third degree felony and can result in a sentence of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.

The Newark Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office are still investigating the theft incident. Anyone with information about the theft or the suspect’s location should call the Newark Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS or 877-NWK-GUNS.

For additional information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Newark Burglary Suspect Sought by Police.”

Newark NJ Vehicular Homicide LawyersThe man who caused a fatal hit-and-run accident in 2015 has been sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison.

The tragic accident occurred after midnight on January 18, 2015. The suspect, a 28-year-old Newark man, was driving a car that crashed into a pedestrian around the intersection of McCarter Highway and Market Street in Newark, NJ.

The suspect, who was driving with a suspended license at the time, kept driving for a few blocks, then pulled over and walked to his residence.

The accident caused the death of the pedestrian, who resided in East Orange, New Jersey.

After investigating the fatal accident, Essex County prosecutors charged the suspect with vehicular homicide.

The suspect later reached a plea deal with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and pleaded guilty to reduced charges of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, in addition to charges of causing a death while violating public policy by driving with a suspended license.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors recommended that the suspect be sentenced to just four years behind bars.

Shortly before the suspect was sentenced in Essex County Superior Court, he addressed the court. The suspect said that he deeply regretted his actions on the night of the fatal hit-and-run collision.

For more information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Man Gets 4 Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run after Outbursts from His Family.”

Newark New Jersey Rape AttorneysA former guard who worked at the Essex County Jail in Newark has been convicted on charges of raping a female inmate.

According to federal officials, the 42-year-old suspect was on duty as a guard at the Essex County Correctional Facility when he forcibly had sexual intercourse with the victim. The sex crime occurred while the suspect the overnight shift of December 27-28, 2010.

During the trial in federal court, prosecutors alleged that the suspect offered various rewards to inmates in exchange for sex. For example, the suspect reportedly offered to provide cigarettes to one female inmate if she would agree to have sex with him.

The rape victim testified during trial that the suspect flashed a flashlight at her and then communicated with her via the jail’s intercom system. He later walked into her jail cell while she was sleeping and sexually assaulted her. The suspect pulled down the victim’s sweatpants and underwear and then held her down while having sex with her.

During the attack, the victim was frozen and could not scream out for help. She later reported the assault to authorities at the jail.

The suspect was also accused of trying to cover up the rape after the fact. He talked to investigators and reportedly denied having entered the victim’s cell on the night of the sexual assault.

Police eventually placed the suspect under arrest and charged him with sexual assault and obstruction of justice.

Now that the suspect has been convicted, he faces a potential sentence of life in federal prison. He will have to return to U.S. District Court in Newark at a later date for a formal sentencing hearing.

For further information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Former N.J. Prison Guard Convicted of Raping Inmate.”

Caldwell NJ Assault by Auto LawyersPolice in Caldwell NJ are searching for a woman who allegedly struck a car wash worker with her car and then drove off.

The scary incident occurred shortly before 2:00 p.m. According to authorities, the suspect was behind the wheel of a champagne-colored SUV and slowly driving through the Caldwell Car Wash on Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell, NJ.

After getting her car washed at the facility, the suspect started to drive off the lot. However, before leaving the premises, she reportedly hit the victim with her car. The suspect then allegedly drove off and headed east on Bloomfield Avenue.

The female worker suffered physical injuries due to the car accident. At this time, officials have not yet revealed the extent of the victim’s injuries.

The Caldwell Police Department received a call about the accident and quickly dispatched officers to the scene to conduct an investigation. Caldwell police have not yet identified the driver who injured the car wash employee.

If police can eventually identify and arrest the suspect, she may be charged with assault by auto and leaving the scene of an accident.

Caldwell police have asked for the public’s help with the investigation. Authorities recently released a description of the suspect: she is an older female with short brown hair. Anyone with information about the suspect or the hit-and-run accident should call investigators at 973-226-2600.

To learn more about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Cops Search for Woman Who Clipped Car Wash Employee.”

Newark NJ Triple Murder SuspectNewark NJ police apprehended a man who allegedly committed three murders over a single weekend.

According to Newark police, the 27-year-old suspect shot and killed two Newark residents, a 28-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman. The victims are believed to have been a couple living together in a residence located on Clinton Place, while the suspect was an ex-boyfriend of the female victim.

When Newark police officers arrived at the location of the shooting, they discovered three young children inside the residence.

The suspect, who resides in East Orange, has also been accused of murdering a 21-year-old woman at a house located on Stratford Place in Newark, New Jersey. When police officers got to the residence, they found the victim’s body on the side of a bathtub. She had reportedly been strangled to death.

Newark NJ police also police a five-month-old baby in a closet at the house.

Law enforcement searched for the suspect and eventually captured him. He faces criminal charges for three counts of murder and one count of child endangerment.

If the suspect is ultimately convicted of murder, he faces a potential penalty of life imprisonment. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3, murder is the most serious criminal offense in the NJ Criminal Code. A conviction on first degree murder charges is punishable by a minimum sentence of 30 years in New Jersey State Prison.

For additional information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Police Arrest Man in Connection to 3 Weekend Homicides in Newark.”