LATHAM, NY – Major Dennis Schager, Commander of Troop G, led a memorial service today at the Troop G Headquarters in Latham. The ceremony was held to honor the memory of fallen officers and to support the families they left behind.
During the event, Major Schager emphasized that the fallen heroes are not forgotten and remain an integral part of the State Police family and the esteemed long grey line. The State Police used their Facebook page to reflect on the significance of the ceremony and to reaffirm their commitment to remembering their lost colleagues.
- 78-Year-Old NJ Man Accused of Luring 5-Year-Old Boy Into Apartment, Sexually Assaulting Him
West Milford man Arnold Allan Capalbo faces sexual assault, luring and child endangerment charges after prosecutors say he brought the child into his apartment and engaged in sexual conduct.
WEST MILFORD, NJ — A 78-year-old Passaic County man has been arrested after authorities say he lured a 5-year-old boy into his apartment and sexually assaulted him.
Arnold Allan Capalbo, of West Milford, was arrested Sept. 25 following an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the West Milford Police Department.
Authorities said West Milford police notified prosecutors at approximately 7:34 p.m. Sept. 22 after receiving a report that a 5-year-old child had been sexually assaulted at Capalbo’s residence earlier that day.
Prosecutors Say Child Was Lured Into Apartment
According to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, investigators determined that Capalbo allegedly lured the boy into his apartment and engaged in sexual conduct with him.
Capalbo was charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault, one count of second-degree luring a child, one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of fourth-degree lewdness.
The case was investigated by the prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit with assistance from West Milford police.
Capalbo was taken into custody at approximately 6:27 p.m. Sept. 25 near Lincoln Avenue and Marshall Hill Road in West Milford.
The arrest adds to recent New Jersey crime cases involving allegations of crimes against children and other vulnerable victims.
Prosecutors Sought Pretrial Detention
Prosecutors filed a motion seeking to keep Capalbo detained while the criminal case proceeds.
The detention hearing was scheduled before Superior Court Judge Imre Karaszegi Jr. on Sept. 30.
Second-degree sexual assault carries a potential sentence of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. If convicted of that charge, Capalbo would be required to serve 85% of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act.
The luring charge also carries a potential five-to-10-year prison term. The endangering charge carries a possible three-to-five-year term, while fourth-degree lewdness carries up to 18 months.
The charges remain accusations. Capalbo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Investigators Ask Public About Other Possible Incidents
Authorities are also asking the public for information about the alleged assault or any other incidents that may involve Capalbo.
Anyone with information can contact the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO.
The investigation remains active as the case moves through the New Jersey courts.
Authorities have not released the child’s identity or additional details about the alleged assault.
The case is among several recent investigations followed by Shore News Network’s crime coverage across the state.
- Cape May Mayor Who Took $500k From Wind Giant Hoping to Remove Anti-Offshore Wind Congressman Van Drew in November
Cape May accepted a $500,000 coastal resiliency grant from a trust originally funded by Ørsted as Mayor Zack Mullock challenges longtime offshore-wind opponent Rep. Jeff Van Drew for Congress.
CAPE MAY, NJ — Three years after Danish energy giant Ørsted abandoned its massive Ocean Wind development off the New Jersey coast, money originating from a $15 million fund established by the company has surfaced as an issue in one of South Jersey’s most closely watched congressional races.
Cape May, led by Mayor Zack Mullock, accepted a $500,000 coastal resiliency grant this summer from the Ocean Wind Pro-NJ Grantor Trust. Mullock, a Democrat, is now challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District this November.
The grant does not come directly from Ørsted today. The Ocean Wind Pro-NJ Grantor Trust describes itself as an independent entity created with a $15 million funding commitment Ørsted made beginning in 2019 to support coastal infrastructure and businesses participating in New Jersey’s developing offshore-wind economy.
Cape May Applied for and Accepted $500,000
The Cape May grant was not unsolicited.
City officials applied to the trust for coastal resiliency funding, and a July 16 award letter informed Mullock, City Manager Paul Dietrich and City Engineer Jim Rutala that the application had been approved.
“Congratulations,” Trust Board Chairman Brian K. Jackson wrote. “The Trustees voted to award your grant request in the amount of $500,000.”
Cape May City Council accepted the money through Resolution No. 290-08-2026, placing the $500,000 grant into the municipal budget for coastal resiliency purposes.
The trust says Ørsted initially committed $15 million over approximately eight years and that the organization operates independently of the developer.
“The Pro-NJ Grantor Trust does not serve as a forum to discuss energy efficiency or contracts awards by the NJ Board of Public Utilities and has no influence over offshore wind projects of any kind,” the trust states.
The trust is administered by Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor, the law firm co-founded by former New Jersey Democrat Gov. Jim Florio.
Van Drew Made Offshore Wind a Signature Issue
Van Drew has spent years opposing offshore wind development off the Jersey Shore, holding hearings, calling for federal investigations and pressing for moratoriums on additional construction.
When Ørsted canceled Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 on Oct. 31, 2023, Van Drew credited local opposition for helping derail the projects.
“These Green New Deal style wind farms were bad for our economy, our environment, and would have been a complete disaster for hardworking middle-class families in South Jersey,” Van Drew said at the time.
He specifically credited Cape May County and grassroots activists.
“Orsted’s offshore wind projects could not have been stopped without the help of Cape May County, Judge Donohue, all of the fantastic grassroots efforts that sprung up along the way, and most importantly the people of South Jersey,” Van Drew said.
Ørsted gave a different explanation for its decision.
The company said high inflation, rising interest rates, supply-chain problems, vessel delays and deteriorating project economics forced it to abandon Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2.
“Macroeconomic factors have changed dramatically over a short period of time,” Ørsted Americas CEO David Hardy said in announcing the cancellation. “As a result, we have no choice but to cease development of Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2.”
Ocean Wind Would Have Put Up to 98 Turbines Offshore
Ocean Wind 1 alone was approved for construction of as many as 98 turbines and three offshore substations roughly 13 nautical miles southeast of Atlantic City. The project was designed to generate approximately 1,100 megawatts.
A second Ørsted project, Ocean Wind 2, received a separate 1,148-megawatt award, bringing the company’s planned New Jersey offshore development to more than 2,200 megawatts.
The federal environmental review acknowledged potential effects on commercial and recreational fishing and required mitigation measures addressing economic losses to fisheries and shoreside businesses.
Van Drew has repeatedly argued that offshore development also poses risks to tourism, navigation, national security and utility customers, arguments he continues to make as New Jersey debates its broader energy strategy.
Grant Becomes an Issue in Congressional Contest
Mullock secured the Democratic nomination in June and is challenging Van Drew, the Republican incumbent, in the November election.
- Speeding Through School Zone Leads Troopers to Heroin and Loaded Rifle
State Police say the Tioga County driver had black tar heroin, a semiautomatic rifle and illegal magazines.
UNION, N.Y. – A traffic stop that began with a driver allegedly speeding through a school zone led New York State Police to black tar heroin, a loaded semiautomatic rifle and additional firearms, according to authorities.
Brien F. Auditor, 37, of Berkshire, was stopped Sept. 29 on Union Center Maine Highway after troopers said they saw his vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed through the school zone.
Photo: new york state police honor fallen heroes in memorial service Police said Auditor did not have a valid driver’s license. As the investigation continued, a State Police K9 allegedly helped troopers locate approximately 26 grams of black tar heroin, a loaded semiautomatic rifle and two large-capacity magazines.
Traffic Stop Turns Into Drug and Gun Investigation
The stop involved members of the New York State Police Violent Gang Narcotic Enforcement Unit, Community Stabilization Unit and Special Investigation Unit.
Troopers said the K9 search uncovered the suspected heroin along with the loaded rifle and magazines that are not compliant with New York law.
The investigation then expanded to Auditor’s residence.
Police said additional firearms were found there and that neither Auditor nor anyone else at the residence had a license to possess a pistol or revolver as required by state law.
Auditor Faces Multiple Felony Charges
Auditor was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of an assault weapon and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon involving an ammunition-feeding device.
He was also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.
Auditor was processed at State Police Endwell and transported to the Broome County Correctional Facility for centralized arraignment.
The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
- 21-Year-Old Accused of Posing as Teen to Target Minors in New York
Investigators say Christian Carolan claimed to be 15 or 16 while communicating with minors and are searching for additional victims.
SIDNEY, N.Y. – New York State Police are asking potential victims to come forward after investigators said a 21-year-old man posed as a 15- or 16-year-old to communicate with minors and engage in sexual activity.
Christian Carolan of Afton is accused of having sexual contact with a teenage victim younger than 13, according to State Police.
Photo: new york state police honor fallen heroes in memorial service Investigators said that during at least one encounter, the victim was forced to engage in sexual activity.
State Police Search for Additional Victims
Troop C investigators in Sidney said Carolan allegedly misrepresented his age so he could communicate with minors.
Police believe there may be additional people who had contact with him and are asking victims, parents or anyone with relevant information to contact investigators.
Authorities did not disclose how Carolan initially communicated with the victim or whether the alleged contact occurred online before moving to an in-person encounter.
State Police also did not provide details in the initial alert about criminal charges filed against Carolan.
Investigators Ask Public to Come Forward
Anyone who believes they were victimized by Carolan or knows someone who had contact with him is asked to call New York State Police in Sidney at 607-561-7400.
Information can also be emailed to cpio@troopers.ny.gov. Police asked anyone contacting investigators to provide a way to be reached.
The State Police case number is NY2601118650.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
10 Alternate Headlines
- 21-Year-Old Accused of Posing as Teen to Target Minors in New York
- Police Say Man Lied About His Age to Have Sexual Contact With Children
- New York State Police Seek More Victims of Man Accused of Posing as Teen
- Afton Man Accused of Pretending to Be 15 to Communicate With Minors
- Police Search for More Victims After Man Allegedly Posed as Teenage Boy
- 21-Year-Old Accused of Targeting Minors While Pretending to Be 15 or 16
- State Police Say Adult Posed as Teen Before Sexual Contact With Child
- Police Ask Victims to Come Forward in Investigation of Afton Man
- New York Man Accused of Deceiving Minors About His Age
- State Police Expand Investigation Into Man Accused of Targeting Children
New York State Police are seeking additional victims after investigators said Christian Carolan, 21, posed as a teenager to communicate with minors.
Police say Christian Carolan of Afton posed as a 15- or 16-year-old and had sexual contact with a victim younger than 13.
New York, Crime, Public Safety, Local News, State News
- Niagara Falls Tops Turns Into Lucky Lottery Stop
A ticket sold on Portage Road landed one of Thursday night’s TAKE 5 top prizes.
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – A routine stop at a Niagara Falls Tops Markets turned into a top-prize lottery win for one TAKE 5 player.
The winning ticket came from Tops Markets #009 at 1000 Portage Road and hit the top prize in the Oct. 1 evening drawing, according to the New York Lottery.
The ticket is worth $15,888. Lottery officials did not identify the ticket holder in their announcement.
Lucky Ticket Came From Portage Road Tops
The Niagara Falls winner was one of two tickets that hit the TAKE 5 top prize Thursday night.
TAKE 5 numbers are drawn from a field of 1 through 39. Drawings are held twice daily at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Lottery officials did not say when the ticket was purchased or whether the prize has been claimed.
Winning Ticket Has a One-Year Deadline
New York Lottery draw-game prizes can be claimed for up to one year from the date of the drawing.
The Lottery said it contributed $3.6 billion during fiscal year 2025-26 to benefit public schools across New York.
