Author: ECCYC

Police have arrested and charged one man in connection with a Plainfield woman’s harrowing rape at knifepoint in her own home, before she and her three children were taken hostage by a trio of men last month, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel announced Thursday.

Jafa McAllister, 33, of Newark, faces charges that include four counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Plainfield police were called on Nov. 28 about a kidnapping and sexual assault on the 300 block of Liberty Street.

A woman had awoken early that morning to find three unknown males in her home, who were armed and demanding money, according to Union County prosecutors.

Over the course of several hours, McAllister and two yet unidentified intruders held the woman and her three children captive in their home, Daniel said.

During the attack, the woman was sexually assaulted at knife-point.

McAllister and the other two men then forced the family into their own car and drove them to Newark, where they were held for several hours before escaping when the men exited the vehicle, according to prosecutors.

An investigation involving State Police and the Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit led to McAllister’s arrest a month later on Tuesday morning.

He was being held in Essex County Jail as of Friday, pending a first court appearance.

Anyone with information about the incident has been urged to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit Sgt. Janet Lopez at 908-347-8491, Detective Jennifer Smith at 908-759-8254 or Plainfield Police Department Detective Chanel Johnson at 732-343-0718.

Union County Crime Stoppers also is offering a potential reward of up to $10,000 for tips that result in an indictment and conviction, as submitted at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online.

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A Newark, N.J., man was arrested this week on accusations he sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint at her Plainfield home with two others, then kidnapped her and her three children, authorities announced Thursday.

Jafa McAllister, 33, is charged with four counts of kidnapping and two counts of aggravated sexual assault, which are first-degree crimes, as well as multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child, making terroristic threats, and robbery, burglary and related weapons charges, according to a joint statement from the Plainfield Police Department and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

Authorities are searching for two other unidentified attackers.

The crimes started on the morning of Nov. 28. The woman awoke and found three unknown men in her home who were armed and demanded money, Union County Assistant Prosecutor Tina Fay said in a statement.

Over the course of several hours, McAllister and the two other men held the woman and her three children captive and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint, Fay said. Then they forced the family into their own car drove them to Newark, where they were held for several hours before they escaped when the three men got out of the car.

McAllister was identified by detectives and he was arrested on Tuesday and taken to the Essex County Jail, police said. He will be held there until his first court appearance.

The incident remained under investigation, and anyone with information was urged to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit Sgt. Janet Lopez at 908-347-8491, Detective Jennifer Smith at 908-759-8254, or Plainfield Police Department Detective Chanel Johnson at 732-343-0718.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.

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Two Ocean County residents have been hospitalized following a serious single-car crash on Route 571 near Kingsridge Road in Manchester Township early Friday morning.

It was around 4:40 am that Manchester Police responded to the scene and saw that a vehicle had struck a utility pole.

The Acura TSX sustained significant damage in the crash.

Through their preliminary investigation, Manchester Police learned that 19-year old Jamier Mcleod of South Toms River was driving west along Route 571 when he suddenly lost control of the wheel.

It led to the vehicle veering off the highway and into the woods where Mcleod struck the utility pole.

As a result of the crash, Mcleod was brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune City for treatment of possible internal injuries while his passenger, 19-year old Ivanalai Garci of Berkeley Township was brought to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of her injuries which included an apparent head injury.

The investigation by Manchester Police also found out that Mleaod was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident on roads that were wet due to the rain and while under foggy skies.

Manchester Police said that they were joined at the scene by the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department and Manchester Vol. Fire Department, Paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson, Manchester Emergency Medical Services and JCP&L who was there to repair the utility pole.

The crash remains under investigation by Sergeant Paul Bachovchin of the Manchester Township Police Department Traffic Safety section.

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A Newark man was arrested this week on accusations he sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint at her Plainfield home with two others, then kidnapped the victim and her three children, authorities announced Thursday.

Jafa McAllister, 33, is charged with four counts kidnapping and two counts of aggravated sexual assault, which are first-degree crimes, as well as multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child, making terroristic threats, and robbery, burglary and related weapons charges, according to a joint statement from the Plainfield Police Department and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

Authorities are searching for two, currently unidentified attackers.

The crimes started on the morning of Nov. 28. The victim awoke and found three unknown men in her home who were armed and demanded money, Union County Assistant Prosecutor Tina Fay said in a statement.

Over the course of several hours, McAllister and the two other men held the woman and her three children captive and sexually assaulted the her at knifepoint, Fay said. Then they forced the family into their own car drove them to Newark where they were held for several hours before they escaped when the three men got out of the car.

McAllister was eventually identified by detectives and he was arrested on Tuesday and taken to the Essex County Jail, police said. He will be held there until his first court appearance.

The incident remained under investigation and anyone with information was urged to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit Sgt. Janet Lopez at 908-347-8491, Detective Jennifer Smith at 908-759-8254, or Plainfield Police Department Detective Chanel Johnson at 732-343-0718.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.

A 33-year-old Newark man was arrested for breaking into a Plainfield home and sexually assaulting a mom in front of her three kids at knife-point then robbing her, authorities said.

Jafa McAllister was among three robbers who forced their way into the victim’s home on the  300 block of Liberty Street in Plainfield, and woke her up in the early-morning hours of Nov. 28, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Acting Plainfield Police Director Captain David Guarino said.

The men were armed and demanding money, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Tina Fay, who is prosecuting the case.

Over the course of several hours, McAllister and two yet-unidentified intruders held the woman and her three children captive in their home, authorities said. During the attack, the adult victim was sexually assaulted at knife-point. 

The three men then forced the victims into their own car and drove them to Newark, where they were held for several hours before escaping when the assailants got out of the vehicle, Fay stated.

The exhaustive investigation, assisted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit and the New Jersey State Police, resulted in McAllister’s identification and arrest on the morning of Dec. 28. 

He was charged with four counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, four counts of third-degree terroristic threats, one count each of first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and three related third and fourth-degree weapons charges.

McAllister was currently being held in the Essex County Jail pending a first appearance.

This matter remains under active investigation, and anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit Sergeant Janet Lopez at 908-347-8491, Detective Jennifer Smith at 908-759-8254, or Plainfield Police Department Detective Chanel Johnson at 732-343-0718.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org; submission of tips made in this fashion that result in an indictment and conviction can be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 via the Union County Crime Stoppers.

Click here to sign up for Daily Voice’s free daily emails and news alerts.

A 33-year-old Newark man was arrested for breaking into a Plainfield home and sexually assaulting a mom in front of her three kids at knife-point then robbing her, authorities said.

Jafa McAllister was among three robbers who forced their way into the victim’s home on the  300 block of Liberty Street in Plainfield, and woke her up in the early-morning hours of Nov. 28, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Acting Plainfield Police Director Captain David Guarino said.

The men were armed and demanding money, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Tina Fay, who is prosecuting the case.

Over the course of several hours, McAllister and two yet-unidentified intruders held the woman and her three children captive in their home, authorities said. During the attack, the adult victim was sexually assaulted at knife-point. 

The three men then forced the victims into their own car and drove them to Newark, where they were held for several hours before escaping when the assailants got out of the vehicle, Fay stated.

The exhaustive investigation, assisted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit and the New Jersey State Police, resulted in McAllister’s identification and arrest on the morning of Dec. 28. 

He was charged with four counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, four counts of third-degree terroristic threats, one count each of first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and three related third and fourth-degree weapons charges.

McAllister was currently being held in the Essex County Jail pending a first appearance.

This matter remains under active investigation, and anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit Sergeant Janet Lopez at 908-347-8491, Detective Jennifer Smith at 908-759-8254, or Plainfield Police Department Detective Chanel Johnson at 732-343-0718.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org; submission of tips made in this fashion that result in an indictment and conviction can be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 via the Union County Crime Stoppers.

Click here to sign up for Daily Voice’s free daily emails and news alerts.

A 33-year-old Newark man was arrested for breaking into a Plainfield home and sexually assaulting a mom in front of her three kids at knife-point then robbing her, authorities said.

Jafa McAllister was among three robbers who forced their way into the victim’s home on the  300 block of Liberty Street in Plainfield, and woke her up in the early-morning hours of Nov. 28, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Acting Plainfield Police Director Captain David Guarino said.

The men were armed and demanding money, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Tina Fay, who is prosecuting the case.

Over the course of several hours, McAllister and two yet-unidentified intruders held the woman and her three children captive in their home, authorities said. During the attack, the adult victim was sexually assaulted at knife-point. 

The three men then forced the victims into their own car and drove them to Newark, where they were held for several hours before escaping when the assailants got out of the vehicle, Fay stated.

The exhaustive investigation, assisted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit and the New Jersey State Police, resulted in McAllister’s identification and arrest on the morning of Dec. 28. 

He was charged with four counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, four counts of third-degree terroristic threats, one count each of first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and three related third and fourth-degree weapons charges.

McAllister was currently being held in the Essex County Jail pending a first appearance.

This matter remains under active investigation, and anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit Sergeant Janet Lopez at 908-347-8491, Detective Jennifer Smith at 908-759-8254, or Plainfield Police Department Detective Chanel Johnson at 732-343-0718.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org; submission of tips made in this fashion that result in an indictment and conviction can be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 via the Union County Crime Stoppers.

Click here to sign up for Daily Voice’s free daily emails and news alerts.

For more than two years, investigators in Cumberland County have been baffled by the disappearance of then-5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez from a park in Bridgeton.

Alavez’s case has received sporadic attention since then, when there is an anniversary or when a potential new lead emerges, but the girl, who would now be 7, has never been found.

Yet she is just one of 89 people the New Jersey State Police are tracking on their Missing Persons List, a database that stretches back almost six decades.

Anyone can browse the list, and search by name, gender, county, or date of last contact.

Here are the names of the 89 individuals the NJSP classifies as missing, some of whose cases have been reported on by New Jersey 101.5 in the past.

If you have information on any of them, or would like a name added to the roster, contact the NJSP Missing Persons Unit at 609-882-2000, ext. 2554, or missingp@njsp.org.

New Jersey’s missing persons — have you seen them?

Patrick Lavery is New Jersey 101.5’s afternoon news anchor. Follow him on Twitter @plavery1015 or email patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com.

MAPLEWOOD/SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — As the omicron variant drives cases of COVID-19 upward, South Orange, Maplewood and the South Orange–Maplewood School District are taking precautions to keep residents from getting infected. Both South Orange and Maplewood enacted indoor mask mandates this week; the school district will be returning to classes virtually after the holiday break.

“Despite our incredibly high vaccination rates in all age categories, we have 113 open cases right now. The overwhelming majority of these cases are considered breakthrough cases, meaning a fully vaccinated person got infected with the virus and can spread it to others,” village President Sheena Collum said of South Orange, in the announcement about the South Orange mask mandate, which was signed by an executive order on Tuesday, Dec. 21. “Our current situation necessitates additional mitigation measures to stop the spread.”

Masks must be worn in all public facilities and businesses in South Orange. There are exemptions for people younger than the age of 2, those with medical conditions and employees working in high heat settings. Actively eating and drinking in restaurants is also an exception.

“This holiday season, I am so incredibly grateful for this community and how we have all worked together to prioritize public health and safety for ourselves and each other. Let’s continue that strong sense of community into the new year,” Collum said. “When we see each other indoors wearing our masks, we know what we’re signaling to each other, ‘I protect you and you protect me.’”

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Dec. 22, Collum said 55 new cases had been confirmed in the village. Eighty percent of children between age 5 and 11 have been vaccinated, but only 56 percent of those people eligible have received booster shots. She encouraged residents to receive a third dose of the vaccine.

“For the most part, our residents have been following the science, which has shown us that vaccinations will greatly reduce likelihood of severe illness and hospitalization,” Collum said. “However, we do what we do to protect those who are more vulnerable than we are. This is exactly what community is all about. It’s a team sport, not an individual event.”

At its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 21, the Maplewood Township Committee voted unanimously to approve an indoor mask mandate. According to a message from Mayor Frank McGehee posted to the township website on Wednesday, Dec. 22, officials from Maplewood and South Orange met to discuss blanket safety for the whole community. The mandate is the same in Maplewood.

In addition, Maplewood is also requiring anyone who attends a public or private event that is open to the public to show proof of vaccination or a negative test within the previous 72 hours.

“These decisions were made in collaboration with our local health departments, the Special Improvement District managers and key stakeholders,” McGehee said. “As we continue to be thoughtful regarding this pandemic, especially taking into account the spread of the omicron variant, our main goal continues to be the same: keeping the community healthy and safe.”

When students return to school in January, it will be virtually. In-person classes will resume on Monday, Jan. 10.
“Thankfully, there has been no evidence of in-school COVID transmission; however, our local community transmission is high, and the cases are rising rapidly. In addition, as we shared in our Dec. 9 community update, according to the recently released COVID Activity Level Index report for the state of New Jersey, the entire state is now considered as high transmission,” the Wednesday, Dec. 22, announcement from Superintendent Ronald Taylor said.

According to Taylor, hundreds of students have had to move to virtual learning as a result of quarantines from being exposed to the virus. Dozens of staff members have also had to be isolated due to breakthrough cases, leading to school operations suffering. Cases of COVID-19 have spiked after each break from which the district has returned.

“We understand that this may be a hardship for some of our families and can be disruptive to student engagement; however, the health and safety of our students and staff is paramount,” Taylor said. “To assist our community in reducing the possibility of additional cases, we believe this a prudent and necessary decision, as many families will be gathering over the winter break and also traveling to see loved ones.”

A Brick Township resident has been arrested for the 2nd time in 8-months for possession of hard drugs as well as distribution.

Frank Russo Jr., was pulled over back in April near Church Road and Mantoloking Road, prior to his 67th birthday this year, and during the motor vehicle stop police found him with 30 bags of Heroin ready to be sold along with Xanax pills, drug paraphernalia, Cocaine and a weapon.

On Wednesday night of this week, Brick Police Detectives with the Street Crimes Unit pulled over a white Honda that failed to maintain its lane along Drum Point Road around 9:30 pm.

The vehicle pulled into the Wawa parking lot and went inside the store.

Detectives along with a K-9 Officer then awaited his return to the vehicle where they found Russo Jr. in possession of an undisclosed quantity of amphetamine pills, crack cocaine, paraphernalia as well as large amount of cash.

Russo Jr. was charged this time with distribution of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and motor vehicle summonses.

The passenger in his vehicle, Matthew Russo, 38, of Brick, was charged with possession of amphetamine pills and possession of paraphernalia.

Brick Police said that both Russo’s were served a warrant and then brought to the Ocean County Jail with the cash being seized as per asset forfeiture procedures.

12 Times Being High Cost NJ Residents & Towns

Ten times drunk driving changed New Jersey Lives Forever