A New Jersey state trooper allegedly shot and killed his dog, vandalized a stop sign and assaulted a local police officer.
Alexander Lark was arrested Thursday in Wayne Township, New Jersey, and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was also charged with a municipal ordinance violation for discharging a firearm, while animal cruelty charges are pending, according to the Bergen Record.
Shortly before 1 a.m. on Thursday, residents at Lark’s condo complex called the police and reported hearing a “commotion” – possibly a gunshot – in one of the condos, the outlet reported.
DEMOCRAT MAYOR ARRESTED FOR DUI SEEN ON BODYCAM DEMANDING OFFICERS CALL POLICE CHIEF
New Jersey state trooper Alexander Lark allegedly shot and killed his dog, vandalized a stop sign and assaulted a local police officer.(Getty Images)
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Several minutes after Wayne officers responded to the report, additional officers leaving the township’s police headquarters spotted a man in the front parking lot “acting erratically.”
The man, later identified as Lark, was destroying a stop sign in the parking lot, and the officers attempted to calm him down, Wayne Detective Capt. Daniel Daly said via the Bergen Record.
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Alexander Lark was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.(New Jersey State Police)
As officers tried to calm him down, Lark allegedly shoved one of them before he was taken to the ground and placed under arrest. He was then transported to a hospital for evaluation.
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Lark appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance, according to an affidavit of probable cause, the Bergen Record reported.
Alexander Lark appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance.(Getty Images)
Officers back at the condo complex entered Lark’s residence and found his deceased dog on the floor next to his Glock 43 service handgun.
Lark has been employed by the state police since 2017.
PORTLAND (WGME) — If the polls are any indication, Graham Platner is the toughest challenger Senator Susan Collins has faced in the 30 years she’s held her Senate seat.
“I know now for certain, or pretty much for certain, who my opponent will be,” Collins said.
Collins toured York County’s new regional training center Friday, which she helped secure the funding to build.
As the first chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee from Maine in nearly 100 years, she says she’s been able to bring $1.5 billion to Maine for more than 650 projects across the state.
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It’s federal funding, she says, that paid to replace or renovate 45 Maine fire stations, support childcare centers and help rural hospitals stay open.
“I think every day about how we can make life more comfortable for people in Maine,” Platner said.
Platner blames billionaires, big corporations, President Donald Trump, Collins and Republicans in Congress for the ongoing struggles facing working families and small businesses in Maine.
“We need to beat Susan Collins,” Platner said.
CBS13 asked Collins if she felt Trump’s performance will cost her votes in November. She did not answer that directly but did say she’s not running on Trump’s record, but her own.
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“I’m proud of my record and the accomplishments of what I’ve been able to do for Maine and for our country,” Collins said.
Collins says the Social Security Fairness Act she helped pass allows retired teachers and first responders to now get the Social Security they earned working in the private sector, along with their pensions.
“I can’t tell you how many retired employees have come up to me and said that it’s made the difference between a comfortable retirement and barely getting by,” Collins said.
They are two polar opposites in many ways, vying for a Senate seat where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“I look forward to what I hope will be a civil discussion of the important issues facing our country and the State of Maine,” Collins said.
It’s that part of the volleyball season in which league opponents are facing each other for the second time, and Acton-Boxborough sure is making it interesting.
This Revolution squad, which was swept by Westford and Newton South, defeated both in a combined nine sets the second time around. A 6-6 record does not warrant a significant a rise in the Globe’s Top 20 boys’ volleyball poll, but it’s certainly a team on the right trajectory.
Needham moves up a spot after sweeping Newton South and pushing Brookline to an intense fifth set, and now the Warriors have defeated Nos. 2, 3, and 4 in five sets without dropping a set in any other in-state match. Needham and Natick await their rematches, though the Redhawks are the top dog in the MIAA’s Division 1 power rankings due to their strength of schedule.
Lexington held on in five against Chelmsford, Braintree swept Milton, and Barnstable continues to only have one set loss on the year (in its first matchup). Record based on results reported to the Globe.
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The Globe’s Top 20 boys’ volleyball poll
The Globe poll as of May 2, 2026. Teams were selected by the Globe sports staff.
AJ Traub can be reached at aj.traub@globe.com. Follow him on X @aj_traub and Instagram @ajt37.
