QUEENS, NY—A concerning incident involving firearms took place at the corner of Hollis Avenue and 205 Street on Friday evening. At approximately 8:40 PM, two groups, one consisting of two individuals and the other of six, exchanged gunfire. Following the altercation, the smaller group fled northbound on 205 Place on bicycles, while the larger group escaped southbound on 205 Street on foot.
Remarkably, no injuries were reported in the incident. The situation is under investigation as authorities seek to identify and locate the individuals involved in the shooting. No arrests have been made at this time.
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- New Jersey Still Rattling and Shaking Two Months After 4.8 Quake
TRENTON, NJ — Several months after a significant 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Tewksbury Township in New Jersey, residents continue to experience a series of smaller aftershocks that are keeping the region on alert. The initial quake, which occurred on April 5, 2024, was the largest the area had witnessed in over two centuries and was felt across a broad swath of the northeastern United States.
Since the main shock, multiple smaller tremors have been recorded, most notably near Califon and Whitehouse Station in New Jersey. Recent seismic activity includes:
- A 1.3 magnitude tremor 5 km ESE of Califon on June 12.
- A 1.7 magnitude quake 6 km N of Whitehouse Station on June 8.
- A 1.4 magnitude event 4 km NE of Whitehouse Station on the same day.
- Additional minor quakes ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 magnitude occurring sporadically throughout early June.
These ongoing tremors are part of a pattern of aftershocks that have been closely monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey. Although these aftershocks have been relatively mild, with magnitudes too low to cause significant damage, they serve as a persistent reminder of the region's vulnerability to seismic events.
Residents have been advised to stay informed about earthquake preparedness and to remain vigilant. While the frequency and intensity of the aftershocks have gradually diminished, the possibility of more significant tremors cannot be entirely ruled out.
Initial report at the time of the 4.8 quake
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck near New York City on Friday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said, shaking buildings up and down the East Coast and surprising residents in an area that rarely experiences notable seismic activity.
The quake's epicenter was in Tewksbury in central New Jersey, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of New York City. It occurred just after 10:20 a.m. ET (1420 GMT) at a depth of 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles), the USGS said.
At 5:59 p.m. there was a small but noticeable aftershock, which had a magnitude of 4.0, according to the USGS.
No major damage was reported, but engineering teams were inspecting roads and bridges.
"This is one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast in the last century," New York Governor Kathy Hochul said at a news conference.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that no injuries had been reported but urged city residents to take cover under furniture, in a doorway or next to an interior wall if they felt aftershocks.
"New Yorkers should go about their normal day," he said at a news conference.
People from Baltimore to Boston reported feeling rumbling and shaking, with some running outside to try to detect the source.
Charita Walcott, a 38-year-old resident in the Bronx borough of New York, said the quake felt "like a violent rumble that lasted about 30 seconds or so."
"It was kind of like being in a drum circle, that vibration," she said.
James Pittinger, mayor of Lebanon, New Jersey, near the quake's epicenter, said there were no reports of injuries or significant damage but that people were unnerved.
Feds Deploy Earthquake Sensors in New Jersey After 4.8 Quake
A team from the U.S. Geological Survey has initiated the installation of seismic sensors in New Jersey to monitor aftershocks following a recent earthquake.
After a 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck on April 5, 2024, the USGS team started setting up eight "aftershock kits" in Whitehouse Station. These kits are designed to record data on aftershocks' origins, durations, and magnitudes, according to USGS electronics technician Greg Tanner.
The project involves collaboration with several academic institutions, including the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, the Texas Seismological Network, Rutgers University, and Yale University.
To date, the USGS has detected 50 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 3.8. There is a predicted 12 percent chance of a magnitude 3 or greater aftershock occurring within the next week, and a one percent chance of one reaching magnitude 4 or greater. This seismic activity is occurring in a region known for its ancient, inactive faults which can still occasionally reactivate due to ongoing tectonic pressures.
The newly deployed kits include sensors for recording strong motion and high frequency, digital transmission devices via cellular networks, and solar panels.
Data collected will be transmitted in real-time to the USGS National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado for immediate analysis. Some sensors are being placed alongside existing USGS stream gages in the state for enhanced monitoring capabilities.
- Two Toms River, New Jersey Long Term Care Facility Workers Charged with Elder Abuse
TOMS RIVER, NJ — The New Jersey Attorney General's Office and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) have announced criminal charges against three long-term care facility workers for the alleged abuse of elderly patients. The charges come as the state prepares to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Joseph Robles, 23, of Tuckerton, and Maria Alcantara, 53, of Toms River, face a 10-count indictment including assault on an institutionalized elderly person, neglect, and criminal restraint at an Alzheimer’s care facility in Toms River. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. Allegations against them include physical restraint and neglecting required wellness checks of a 93-year-old patient between January 13 and January 15, 2023.
In a separate case, Simone Goldsboro, 34, of Camden, has been indicted on aggravated assault charges in Camden County. Goldsboro allegedly sprayed bleach on an elderly patient and engaged in physical abuse at a residential nursing home in Cherry Hill.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized the importance of treating those in care facilities with dignity and respect, asserting a commitment to prosecute those who exploit and mistreat vulnerable individuals. Interim Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Al Garcia highlighted the state’s zero-tolerance policy towards elder abuse, stating that such criminal actions against the elderly will be rigorously prosecuted.
These cases underscore the broader issues highlighted by World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed on June 15, which aims to increase awareness of the forms of elder abuse and the need for vigilance to protect vulnerable seniors from harm.
- Police Arrest Two 15-Year-Olds for Failed Baltimore Carjacking
BALTIMORE, MD — Baltimore Police have apprehended two 15-year-old males following an attempted carjacking incident in the Central District. The arrest occurred on Wednesday evening around 5:40 p.m. on the 400 block of West Saratoga Street.
The incident unfolded when four males allegedly surrounded the victim and attempted to steal his cell phone and scooter keys. The victim's calls for help to nearby pedestrians prompted the suspects to flee the scene.
Central District officers responded promptly to the scene after being alerted. They successfully located and arrested two of the suspects, who were then transported to Juvenile Booking for processing.
The police are continuing their investigation into the incident and are seeking the other individuals involved. The quick response of the officers and the community's assistance were crucial in preventing the escalation of the incident and securing the arrests.
- NYPD Seizes Over 100 Illegal Scooters as Motorized Crime Increases
QUEENS, NY — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, in conjunction with the NYPD, has taken a significant step towards curbing illegal scooter use linked to criminal activities across several neighborhoods including South Jamaica, South Ozone Park, and Jackson Heights. In a recent operation, 99 scooters, primarily unregistered and uninsured, were seized due to their illegal parking on sidewalks and streets.
The crackdown also resulted in the confiscation of one unregistered motorcycle and one unregistered dirt bike. The heightened enforcement efforts led to the seizure of an additional five scooters in motion, including one at the intersection of 135th Avenue and 140th Street in South Ozone Park, which had been reported stolen.
DA Katz emphasized the growing concern over scooters used in violent crimes such as drive-by shootings and robberies. "Illegal scooters have become a significant concern in our city," Katz stated, highlighting the importance of the initiative in enhancing community safety by removing these vehicles from circulation.
The operation is part of a broader campaign that started in February, targeting the misuse of scooters in crimes. To date, the initiative has successfully removed a total of 515 scooters, two motorcycles, and one dirt bike from Queens streets.
The coordinated efforts involved detectives from the Queens District Attorney's Detective Bureau and officers from the NYPD's 106th, 110th, 113th, and 115th Precincts. These actions were carried out under the leadership of several senior NYPD and DA officials, reflecting a robust partnership aimed at maintaining public safety and order.
- Police Target Aggressive Driving on Route 30
ABSECON, NJ — The Absecon Police Department, in collaboration with the Atlantic-Cape May Regional Highway Traffic Safety Office and the Atlantic City Police Department, has conducted a targeted aggressive driving enforcement campaign on U.S. Route 30.
The initiative took place Wednesday morning and lasted for four hours, during which Absecon officers issued 34 citations for speed-related violations. This operation is part of a broader effort to ensure safer travel conditions on local roadways.
The Atlantic-Cape May Regional Highway Traffic Safety Office supported this enforcement action, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to reduce aggressive driving incidents. The partnership aims to enhance safety for both residents and visitors traveling through the area.
Authorities express their gratitude for the continued support from the community and partner organizations in these traffic safety initiatives. They are dedicated to maintaining a vigilant presence on the road to deter dangerous driving behaviors.
- Arsonist Suspected in Multiple Incidents Arrested in Wilkins Township
WILKINS TOWNSHIP, PA — The Allegheny County Police Department has announced the arrest of David Harknett, 41, of Pittsburgh, following a series of fires and thefts across the county starting on Monday.
Early Wednesday morning, at 3:21 am, emergency services responded to a report of a commercial structure fire at 3498 William Penn Highway. Visible smoke and flames were reported, and a witness saw a suspicious individual near the scene. This suspect, later identified as Harknett, was spotted hiding behind an electrical transformer.
At 4:45 am the same morning, Harknett was apprehended by Wilkins Township Police. The arrest was made following a coordinated effort by local authorities and the Allegheny County General Investigations Unit.
Investigations linked Harknett to multiple incidents in the area, including additional fires and thefts that began on Monday. Notably, he is suspected in a commercial fire at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish in Monroville and several vehicle fires and thefts across Monroeville, Pleasant Hills, Brentwood, and Jefferson Hills.
These incidents have caused significant concern in the communities affected, with authorities working to assess the full extent of the damages and losses incurred.