NEWARK, NJ—The Newark Department of Public Safety continues its urgent search for 17-year-old Aaliyah Bryant, reported missing since Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Aaliyah, known to have run away in the past, was last seen on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, in the 100 block of Chancellor Avenue. At the time, she was dressed in a long white T-shirt and black leggings, and was carrying a cross-body bag.
Aaliyah is described as being 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 300 pounds, with a light-brown complexion and blonde hair. She has a silver nose piercing.
Aaliyah is also diagnosed with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé is calling on anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477). All tips are confidential and could lead to a reward.
- Liquor store rampage: Newark cops hunt man who smashed TV, fridge with bottles
NEWARK, NJ — Newark police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man who caused damage inside a Springfield Avenue liquor store after being asked to leave for appearing intoxicated, officials said Monday.
Key Points
- Suspect threw liquor bottles at a fridge and flat-screen TV before fleeing
- Incident occurred April 7 around 8:50 p.m. on Springfield Avenue
- Newark police seeking tips from public to identify the man
Bottles hurled after being kicked out
According to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr., the incident happened at around 8:50 p.m. on April 7. A man entered the store in the 200 block of Springfield Avenue and was asked to leave by an employee who believed the suspect was under the influence.
The man allegedly became agitated, grabbed two bottles, and threw one at a refrigerator door and another at a flat-screen TV before fleeing the scene. Detectives say the damages resulted from the impact of the thrown items.
Suspect description released
Authorities described the suspect as a Black male with a bald head, last seen wearing a checkerboard-patterned jacket. Surveillance images of the suspect have been released by the Newark Department of Public Safety.
Director Miranda is asking anyone with information about the incident or the suspect’s identity to contact the department’s Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS.
- Newark’s cherry blossoms are in their prime, but the countdown is on before the petals vanish
NEWARK, NJ — More than 5,300 cherry blossom trees are in full bloom at Branch Brook Park, drawing thousands of visitors as the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival enters its final days. The vibrant display of pink and white petals, now at peak bloom, is expected to last through the weekend, depending on weather conditions.
Key Points
- Branch Brook Park’s 5,300 cherry blossoms have reached peak bloom, surpassing Washington, D.C.’s collection
- The 49th annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival runs through Sunday, April 13
- Bloomwatch Webcam offers real-time updates as petals begin to fall
The 360-acre park, which stretches from Newark’s North Ward into Belleville, contains the largest and most diverse collection of Japanese flowering cherry trees in the country. The Branch Brook Park Alliance reports 18 varieties of cherry blossoms are on display, including Yoshino, Kwanzan, and weeping Higan trees.
NJ.com stated that peak bloom — when 70% of the flowers are open — is expected to continue through this weekend, though some varieties may linger into early May. The public can monitor bloom status through the park’s online Bloomwatch Webcam.
Blossoms with history
Newark’s Cherry Blossom Festival. The cherry blossom legacy in Newark began in 1927 when Caroline Bamberger Fuld, co-founder of the Bamberger’s department store chain, donated 2,000 trees after visiting Japan. The Bamberger family followed up with an additional 1,600 trees the next year, creating a collection that rivals the nation’s capital.
Branch Brook Park, designed by the Olmsted Brothers and opened in 1895, was the first county park in the United States. Its cherry trees were planted along tiered slopes to mirror traditional Japanese landscapes, a layout still visible today, according to YourHarrison.com.
Restoration and festival events
Cherry blossoms in Newark By the 1960s, the park’s collection had declined to about 1,000 trees due to aging. A restoration project led by Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and the Branch Brook Park Alliance has since restored the collection to its current size. More than 1,100 new trees have been planted since 2006.
The annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, founded in 1976 by Newark native Kathleen P. Galop, includes a range of public events. This year’s activities feature a 10K Run, a 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, and Bloomfest, which includes Japanese cultural displays, food vendors, and live performances.
Infrastructure and access
A new $10.45 million Cherry Blossom Welcome Center opened in November 2024, offering exhibits, a year-round imitation cherry tree, and public restrooms. Transit access to the park has been promoted by NJ TRANSIT, which encourages visitors to take the light rail to Branch Brook Park station.
RollingOut.com noted the densest blossoms can be found in the park’s northern section near the Welcome Center, while the southern area near Prudential Concert Grove offers scenic picnic spots. With petals beginning to fall, this weekend marks the last opportunity to experience the full bloom.
PINK PANIC: Cherry blossoms hit peak bloom at Newark’s Branch Brook Park as time ticks away
- New Jersey Democrat councilman arrested in statewide mob-linked gambling bust
TRENTON, N.J. — A sweeping racketeering investigation has led to charges against 39 individuals — including a Prospect Park councilman and alleged members of the Lucchese Crime Family — in connection with a sprawling illegal gambling operation in northern New Jersey, state officials announced Wednesday.
Key Points
- A two-year investigation led to charges against 39 individuals involved in illegal gambling linked to the Lucchese Crime Family.
- Over $3 million in suspected criminal proceeds were uncovered through poker clubs and offshore sportsbooks.
- High-ranking Lucchese members and a New Jersey councilman were among those arrested and charged with racketeering and related crimes.
Investigation targeted illegal clubs and offshore sportsbooks
Search warrants were executed at 12 locations on April 9 across Totowa, Garfield, Woodland Park, Paterson, and surrounding areas, uncovering poker clubs operating behind restaurants, gambling machines, and offshore online sportsbooks. The probe revealed more than $3 million in suspected criminal proceeds laundered through shell corporations and legitimate-seeming businesses.
Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said, “It’s about breaking the laws the rest of us follow and, ultimately, it’s about money, control, and the threat of violence.”
The arrests follow a two-year investigation conducted by the New Jersey State Police and the Division of Criminal Justice, which identified poker clubs and online gambling sites allegedly run by members and associates of the Lucchese Crime Family.
Councilman and crime family members among those charged
Among those arrested is Anand Shah, 42, a Prospect Park councilman accused of managing illegal poker games and an offshore sportsbook. Also charged were George Zappola, 65, identified as part of the Lucchese ruling panel, and Joseph “Big Joe” Perna, 56, a Lucchese captain. Additional defendants include John Perna, 47, and Wayne Cross, 75, both identified as Lucchese soldiers.
“The reality isn’t romantic or cinematic,” Platkin said. “This is organized crime using modern tools to commit age-old offenses.”
The charges include first-degree racketeering, second-degree conspiracy, gambling promotion, and money laundering. Some defendants also face theft charges related to alleged retail crimes tied to the gambling network.
Structure of the gambling ring revealed
The organization operated through poker clubs that offered live games and slot-style machines. Club managers collected “rent” from poker hosts, who recruited players, provided food and drinks, and funded the games. Dealers were either paid or worked off prior debts. Poker games generated profits through the “rake,” a percentage of each pot taken by the house.
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The digital aspect of the enterprise involved offshore websites accessed through agents and sub-agents who managed bettors and relayed proceeds to upper management. These sites were allegedly controlled by the same network, blending traditional organized crime operations with modern technology.
Threats, shell companies used to sustain criminal enterprise
Authorities say the enterprise settled disputes through threats and coercion, maintaining control of illegal activities through intimidation. The use of shell companies and functioning businesses helped obscure illicit revenue streams and shield the operation from detection.
Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, stated the takedown “was successfully dismantled — sending a strong message that we will not tolerate this kind of criminal activity in New Jersey.”
Charged individuals span multiple roles and jurisdictions
The list of those charged includes poker hosts, club managers, offshore sportsbook agents, sub-agents, and money launderers from towns across New Jersey and even as far as Florida. Each is accused of contributing to the illegal operation’s growth and sustainability.
The following charged defendants are alleged to have the below listed positions in the criminal enterprise:
- George J. Zappola, 65, of Red Bank, New Jersey, Lucchese ruling panel
- Joseph R. Perna, 56, of Belleville, New Jersey, Lucchese captain
- John G. Perna, 47, of Little Falls, New Jersey, Lucchese soldier
- Wayne D. Cross, 75, of Spring Lake, New Jersey, Lucchese soldier
- Michael P. Frasso, 48, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, sportsbook agent
- Gerard V. Frasso, 46, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, sportsbook agent
- Anand U. Shah, 42, of Prospect Park, New Jersey, sportsbook agent/poker manager
- Roberto Aliano, 45, of Wayne, New Jersey, poker-club manager
- Frank Gallipoli III, 57, of Totowa, New Jersey, poker-club manager
- Frank Imparato, 46, of Saddle Brook, New Jersey, poker-club manager
- Mario Capalbo, 71, of Woodland Park, New Jersey, poker-club manager and gambling-machine supplier
- Ralph P. Gibilisco, 65, of East Hanover, New Jersey, poker-club manager
- Linda Gibilisco, 60, of East Hanover, New Jersey, poker-club employee
- John T. Capone, 60, of Belleville, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Issa Sebahie, 50, of Edgewater, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent/poker host and dealer
- Michael A. Khoury, 33, of Edgewater, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Robert M. Filippini, 54, of Wayne, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Jahed Ali, 33, of Paterson, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent/poker dealer and promoter
- Christopher M. Trimble, 52, of Lincroft (Middletown Township), New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Stephen D. Prince, 64, of Wayne, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Steven Bongo, 65, of West Caldwell, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Steven M. Romano, 43, of Lincoln Park, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Richard J. Belle, 39, of Wayne, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Roberto Roman Jr., 47, of Basking Ridge (Bernards Township), New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Samuel R. Shirak, 33, of North Haledon, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Louis D’Alessandro, 63, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Joseph J. Gossweiler, 41, of Florham Park, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent/poker-club manager
- James A. Romano, 37, of Island Heights, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent
- Mohamed H. Nassar, 38, of West New York, New Jersey, poker host
- Ramze Hassan, 47, of Totowa, New Jersey, poker-club employee
- Giovanni G. Gallipoli, 27, of Totowa, New Jersey, poker-club employee
- Jose D. Hernandez, 50, of Totowa, New Jersey, poker-club employee
- Samir S. Nadkarni, 48, of Longwood, Florida, sportsbook sub-agent/poker host
- Naser M. Matari, 56, of Paterson, New Jersey, poker host
- Michael J. Ricciardi, 38, of Brandon, Florida, sportsbook sub-agent/poker host
- Joan E. Santana-Suarez, 42, of Dover, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent/poker host
- Justin Kim, 51, of Haworth, New Jersey, poker host
- Jamil Sadullayev, 46 of Montvale, New Jersey, money launderer
- Family loses everything in South Amboy house fire including beloved dog
SOUTH AMBOY, N.J. — A house fire that broke out on April 6 left the Hanna family homeless and mourning the loss of their dog, as friends and supporters rally to help them recover from the devastation.
Key Points
- The Hanna family lost their home and possessions in an April 6 fire in South Amboy
- Their dog, Tofu Raphael, did not survive the blaze; no human injuries were reported
- A fundraiser has been launched to support housing, essentials, and artist Martina Hanna’s career restart
According to a statement from organizer Kylie Gilbertson, the Hanna family — Martina, Izabelle, and Mario — escaped the blaze with only the clothes on their backs. While they survived the fire, they now face the overwhelming task of rebuilding their lives.
The fire destroyed all personal belongings and also claimed the life of Martina’s dog, Tofu Raphael, affectionately known as Dito. The family has expressed gratitude for their safety but is grieving the loss of their pet.
Fundraiser underway for essentials and recovery
The GoFundMe campaign aims to raise money for temporary housing, basic needs, medical bills, and costs associated with rebuilding. Martina Hanna, described as a passionate and talented artist, also lost all of her paintings and art supplies in the fire.
Friends say the support will not only help the family through the immediate aftermath but will also allow Martina to replace her destroyed tools and continue her artistic career without additional hardship.
Community response grows
“They are incredible people,” the campaign states. “If you have met any of them, you know the amazing and beautiful souls they are.”
Donations are being collected through the online platform, where Gilbertson is leading efforts to help the family recover and restart.
A South Amboy fire left a family homeless and grieving the loss of their dog, as the community rallies to support their recovery and an artist’s fresh start.
- Student stabbed at Fort Lee High School, One Arrest Made
FORT LEE, N.J. — A student was stabbed inside Fort Lee High School on Tuesday, prompting a full lockdown and a law enforcement response that resulted in the assailant being taken into custody, according to police.
Key Points
- A student was stabbed at Fort Lee High School and hospitalized
- The suspected assailant, another student, was taken into custody
- Lockdown protocols were lifted and school dismissed early following the incident
The Fort Lee Police Department said the incident occurred earlier in the day and that the school’s uniformed School Resource Officer was inside the building when the stabbing took place. The officer and school staff provided first aid to the juvenile victim before the student was transported to a nearby hospital and survived.
A second school, School #3, was placed into a shelter-in-place as a precaution during the investigation. Authorities did not disclose the motive for the attack or the identities of the individuals involved due to their juvenile status.
Response and investigation
Fort Lee Police Department headquarters. Google Maps. Fort Lee Police Chief Matthew Hintze and command staff coordinated with Superintendent Dr. Robert Kravitz and high school officials during the incident. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office also responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
After the initial on-scene investigation was completed in the afternoon, lockdown protocols were lifted and students were dismissed early from the high school.
Increased security measures
“There is no further threat that we are aware of at this time, and no other suspects are being sought,” police said in a statement on social media. An increased police presence is planned around the high school on Wednesday out of an abundance of caution.
Detectives from the Fort Lee Police Department continue to investigate the incident alongside the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office with the cooperation of the Fort Lee High School administration.