New Jersey

Man accused of breaking into homes in New Jersey neighborhood by pushing in home’s window AC unit

Published

1 year ago

August 13, 2024

Man accused of breaking into homes in New Jersey neighborhood by pushing in home’s window AC unit

WOODBURY, N.J. (CBS) — On Saturday, Woodbury City police arrested a man accused of several daytime home burglaries in the city’s West End area over the last few weeks.

Investigators alleged the suspected burglar would wait until people left their homes for the day and then break in either through an unlocked window or by pushing out the home’s window air conditioning unit.

“As soon as I heard about it, I was shocked and then immediately after that, I was scared and nervous,” Sally Heide, a Woodbury resident, said. “It’s a nice area. It really is, and it’s just unnerving to have to be extra careful.”

Jennifer Burns, a Woodbury resident, said she’s already changed up her habits.

“That’s really scary to me, really scary,” Burns said. “All of my doors are staying locked during the day where normally, I would have this door open.”

Woodbury Police Chief Thomas Ryan said that after arresting the suspected burglar, officers had recovered several stolen items, including jewelry and family heirlooms.

“We have a unique connection with our residents,” Ryan said. “I do think some [of the officers] take it personal and wanted to do everything they could for those residents.”

He recommended homeowners invest in security systems and display signs advertising the presence of those systems.

“It’s definitely going to not only make you feel better about the security of your home,” Ryan said. “It’s going to provide a deterrent.”

Bob and Sally Heide said their family members have already taken extra precautions.

“We did install cameras,” Bob Heide said. “We’re also going to use our alarm more.”

Sally Heide added, “All the windows downstairs, windows are shut. I don’t leave any open for air.”

Brandon Goldner

Brandon Goldner is an award-winning reporter/multiskilled journalist for CBS News Philadelphia, where he primarily covers South Jersey.

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New Jersey

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

Published

9 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) — New Jersey casino workers, who are pushing to permanently ban smoking in their workplaces, held a rally in Trenton on Monday.

A hearing was held to discuss a lawsuit that aims to close the smoking loophole in the Garden State.

For years, casino workers have been pursuing protections against secondhand smoke in their workplaces.

RELATED | Judge allows smoking to continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to workers

New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act largely bans indoor smoking, but casinos have a long-standing exemption.

The lawsuit filed last April by the United Auto Workers, which represents dealers at the Bally’s, Caesars and Tropicana casinos.

In August 2024, a judge ruled in favor of the casinos to allow smoking to continue.

“Casino workers are expected to clock in to work every day despite inevitably facing a toxic environment that could cause countless health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and asthma,” said Nancy Erika Smith, the lawyer representing Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and the UAW on Monday.

“We’re asking the court to find the exemption in New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act unconstitutional and void it immediately. We hope this case will serve as a precedent for casinos across the country to close their smoking loopholes and stop poisoning their workers,” added Smith.

The casinos have warned that thousands of jobs and millions in gambling revenue and taxes could be lost if smoking was banned.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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New Jersey

11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

Published

21 hours ago

December 15, 2025

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11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

A teenager was shot to death in Jersey City, a woman was killed in a fiery crash with a dump truck in Ocean County, and a man is in critical condition after an SUV hit him in a Princeton crosswalk.

Here are the headlines from the weekend in New Jersey you may have missed.

Teen Shot Dead In Jersey City Apartment, Prosecutor Says

A 16-year-old boy was found shot to death in Jersey City on Friday night, prosecutors said.

Woman Killed In Fiery Head-On Dump Truck Crash In Ocean County

A woman was killed Friday when her van hit a dump truck head-on in Jackson and burst into flames, Jackson police said.

Evelin Villanueva-Detejeda, 43, of Perth Amboy, was killed in the crash that happened about 2 p.m. on Toms River Road (Route 571) near Osprey Place, Sgt. Edward Travisano said.

Six people sustained minor injuries in the collision late Friday afternoon, according to State Police Tpr. Christopher Postorino.

Read more: 11-Vehicle Crash, Overturned Truck Shut Down Turnpike In South Jersey: Police

NJ College Student Abducted From Campus, Sexually Assaulted By Armed Man, Police Say

A Union County man is facing a slew of charges after kidnapping a woman, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Akram Elsayed, 28, of Roselle, has been arrested after an investigation found that he’d kidnapped a woman and handcuffed her to the door of a car, police said.

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