NEWARK, NJ—The Newark Department of Public Safety continues its urgent search for 17-year-old Aaliyah Bryant, reported missing since Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Aaliyah, known to have run away in the past, was last seen on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, in the 100 block of Chancellor Avenue. At the time, she was dressed in a long white T-shirt and black leggings, and was carrying a cross-body bag.
Aaliyah is described as being 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 300 pounds, with a light-brown complexion and blonde hair. She has a silver nose piercing.
Aaliyah is also diagnosed with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé is calling on anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477). All tips are confidential and could lead to a reward.
- Friday Morning NJ Traffic: Two Crashes on I-195, Route 35 Closure, Route 3 Flooding Snarls Commute
TRENTON, N.J. — Friday’s morning commute is off to a slow start across parts of New Jersey as crashes on Interstate 195, flooding in Secaucus, and heavy traffic approaching the Hudson River crossings are causing delays.
Motorists traveling through Monmouth and Ocean counties are encountering two separate crash scenes on I-195, while flooding has forced the closure of the eastbound Route 3 Service Road in Secaucus.
Interstate 195 crashes slow Shore-bound traffic
Photo: newark teenager missing since last august, police continue search A crash with injuries reported at 8:16 a.m. has closed the right shoulder of I-195 eastbound east of Exit 31 (County Route 547) in Howell Township.
Earlier Friday morning, a separate crash investigation near Exit 16 (County Route 537/Great Adventure) in Jackson Township closed the left shoulder and one of two eastbound lanes, contributing to backups for commuters heading toward the Jersey Shore.
Flooding, Route 35 closure create additional problems
Flooding has closed all eastbound lanes of the Route 3 Service Road at Harmon Meadow Boulevard in Secaucus as of 12:11 a.m.
Meanwhile, authorities continue investigating an early morning crash on Route 35 northbound south of Route 27 in Woodbridge Township, where all lanes remain closed.
Drivers are urged to seek alternate routes and expect delays in both areas.
Hudson River crossings experiencing typical Friday congestion
Heavy volume is slowing traffic approaching New York City, including:
- Delays of 20 to 25 minutes at the Lincoln Tunnel Center Tube.
- Delays of 15 to 20 minutes at the Lincoln Tunnel South Tube.
- George Washington Bridge travel times of 10 to 15 minutes eastbound into New York.
- Westbound Cross Bronx Expressway delays of 15 to 20 minutes approaching the George Washington Bridge.
Additional congestion has been reported on Route 139, Route 495’s Exclusive Bus Lane, and U.S. 1&9/Tonnelle Avenue through Jersey City and North Bergen.
Truck restrictions also remain in effect on the George Washington Bridge and Port Street in Newark because of ongoing construction.
Where are the biggest traffic problems Friday morning?
The most significant delays are on I-195 in Howell and Jackson townships, Route 35 in Woodbridge, flooding on the Route 3 Service Road in Secaucus, and approaches to the Lincoln Tunnel and George Washington Bridge.
Is Route 35 closed?
Yes. All northbound lanes of Route 35 south of Route 27 in Woodbridge Township remain closed because of a crash investigation.
Is flooding affecting traffic?
Yes. Flooding has closed all eastbound lanes of the Route 3 Service Road at Harmon Meadow Boulevard in Secaucus.
- North Hanover Schools Superintendent Named in OCVTS Whistleblower Lawsuit Alleging Retaliation
NORTH HANOVER, N.J. — North Hanover Township School District Superintendent Michael Maschi, who previously served as assistant superintendent at the Ocean County Vocational Technical School District, has been individually named as a defendant in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by retired New Jersey State Police Major Robert Yaiser.
Maschi joined the North Hanover district in the fall of 2025 after serving in a senior leadership role at OCVTS, where the district has since become embroiled in multiple civil lawsuits alleging administrators ignored reports of student sexual abuse, retaliated against whistleblowers, and failed to protect students. Maschi has not been criminally charged, and the allegations against him remain unproven.
The lawsuit filed under New Jersey’s Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) alleges Yaiser suffered retaliation after reporting concerns involving student safety, employee misconduct, and administrative practices within OCVTS.
Photo: newark teenager missing since last august, police continue search - North Hanover Superintendent Michael Maschi is individually named in Robert Yaiser’s whistleblower lawsuit.
- The lawsuit alleges Maschi participated in retaliatory employment actions after complaints involving students and parents were reported.
- Maschi has not been criminally charged, and the allegations remain pending in civil court.
Lawsuit alleges retaliation against whistleblower
According to the complaint, Maschi served as Yaiser’s supervisor while assistant superintendent at OCVTS.
The lawsuit alleges Maschi “failed to respond to numerous students and parents complaints” and participated in decisions to suspend Yaiser after he reported those concerns. The complaint further alleges Maschi participated in efforts to pursue disciplinary action against the plaintiff.
Those allegations are contained in the civil complaint and have not been proven in court.
OCVTS remains under growing scrutiny
The whistleblower litigation is one of several lawsuits filed this year against OCVTS and current or former administrators.
Separate civil lawsuits filed by former students allege administrators ignored or concealed reports of sexual misconduct at the district’s Performing Arts Academy for years while retaliating against those who spoke out. Those allegations remain pending.
The litigation follows the criminal prosecutions of former Performing Arts Academy teachers Zachary Slater and Douglas Bollinger, who separately pleaded guilty in cases involving students. Neither criminal case charged Maschi.
New role in North Hanover
Maschi became superintendent of the North Hanover Township School District after leaving OCVTS.
While the pending litigation concerns his prior employment with OCVTS, his appointment has placed the current North Hanover superintendent among several former OCVTS administrators named in ongoing legal proceedings.
No public court ruling has been made regarding the allegations against Maschi, and he is presumed not liable unless the claims are proven through the judicial process.
Why is Michael Maschi named in the lawsuit?
The whistleblower complaint alleges he participated in retaliatory employment actions against Robert Yaiser after concerns involving student and parent complaints were raised.
Has Michael Maschi been criminally charged?
No. Maschi has not been criminally charged. The allegations against him are contained in a pending civil whistleblower lawsuit.
Is this related to the OCVTS sexual abuse cases?
The lawsuit arises from the broader controversy surrounding OCVTS and alleges administrative failures and retaliation. The criminal prosecutions involved former teachers Zachary Slater and Douglas Bollinger, not Maschi. Maschi served as assistant superintendent during the alleged crisis and scandal.
- Naked Poop-Covered Burglar With Criminal Record Attacks New Jersey Cop
HACKENSACK, N.J. — A Hackensack man was arrested after police investigating reports of overnight vehicle burglaries at a luxury apartment building allegedly found him naked, covered in feeces, and hiding inside a stairwell before he assaulted responding officers, authorities said.
Demond A. Clacken, 29, was taken into custody shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday after officers responded to the building and located him in a stairwell, according to Hackensack Police Capt. Darrin DeWitt. Police said Clacken initially provided officers with a false name before allegedly attempting to flee.
Authorities said officers had called for an ambulance after encountering Clacken, but he allegedly became combative before he could be transported for medical evaluation.
- Police said officers located Demond A. Clacken inside a luxury apartment building while investigating vehicle burglaries.
- Authorities allege Clacken assaulted officers while attempting to flee and was later taken for a psychological evaluation.
- Court records show Clacken was awaiting trial in another case and has prior criminal charges in several New Jersey municipalities.
Police say officers were assaulted during arrest
According to police, Clacken allegedly struck officers in the face with a backpack and his arm after attempting to run from the scene.
“After a struggle, he was arrested, handcuffed, and searched. Officers found four crack pipes,” DeWitt said.
Following his arrest, Clacken was transported to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus for a psychological evaluation before being booked into the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court.
Previous encounters with law enforcement
Court records indicate Clacken was awaiting trial on a shoplifting charge filed in Elmwood Park at the time of his latest arrest.
Police records also show he was charged by Hackensack police in 2024 with harassment, violating a domestic violence restraining order and illegal possession of prescription drugs. Additional court records indicate prior charges in South Hackensack, Cliffside Park, Jersey City, Fairview, Englewood and Hoboken.
Earlier this year, Clacken was the subject of a missing person search before being located in Union City. Police there later charged him with making terroristic threats while allegedly possessing PCP, methadone and another weapon that was not a firearm.
Charges remain pending
Authorities did not immediately release the complete list of charges filed in the latest arrest because the announcement was incomplete.
All criminal charges remain allegations, and Clacken is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Why were police at the apartment building?
Hackensack police responded shortly after 2:30 a.m. to investigate reports of overnight vehicle burglaries at a luxury apartment building.
What do police allege happened?
Police allege Demond A. Clacken attempted to flee after giving officers a false name and assaulted officers before being taken into custody.
Where is Clacken being held?
After undergoing a psychological evaluation at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Clacken was booked into the Bergen County Jail pending his initial court appearance.
- Albanian Terrorist Who Threatened to Kill People in New Jersey and Pennsylvania Indicted
CAMDEN, N.J. — A man who most recently lived in Albania has been indicted on federal charges alleging he spent more than a year terrorizing victims in New Jersey and Pennsylvania with repeated death threats delivered through voicemails and text messages, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced Thursday.
Jarvis Shabazz, 37, who has ties to New Jersey, Georgia, Malaysia, Morocco and Albania, was charged in a federal indictment with eight counts of interstate threats and two counts of cyberstalking. He made his initial appearance and was arraigned Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in Camden federal court.
According to prosecutors, Shabazz allegedly left graphic voicemail messages threatening to kill one victim before continuing to send threatening communications to two victims over approximately 15 months.
- Jarvis Shabazz was charged with eight counts of interstate threats and two counts of cyberstalking.
- Prosecutors allege the threats targeted victims in New Jersey and Pennsylvania over a 15-month period.
- If convicted on all counts, Shabazz faces a maximum possible sentence of 50 years in federal prison.
Prosecutors detail graphic threats
According to the indictment, the alleged threats began on Oct. 10, 2022, when Shabazz left a voicemail threatening to kill one victim and stating he would soon be “dismembering bodies and carving human f***ing flesh.”
About a week later, prosecutors allege Shabazz left another voicemail for the same victim threatening to kill the individual and warning that the victim’s children “will suffer the same fate.”
Federal authorities allege the communications contained violent imagery, religious references, racial epithets and obscenities.
Harassment allegedly continued for more than a year
According to prosecutors, the threatening conduct continued for approximately 15 months.
The indictment alleges Shabazz repeatedly changed his telephone number after victims blocked his previous numbers, allowing him to continue sending threatening text messages and voicemails.
Federal prosecutors allege two victims ultimately received repeated threatening communications during the course of the investigation.
FBI led investigation
Each interstate threat count carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, while each cyberstalking charge also carries a maximum sentence of five years.
If convicted on every count, Shabazz faces a maximum possible sentence of 50 years in prison, along with substantial financial penalties.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation‘s Philadelphia Field Office and South Jersey Resident Agency with assistance from the West Deptford Police Department.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that the indictment contains allegations only, and Shabazz is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What charges is Jarvis Shabazz facing?
Shabazz was charged with eight counts of interstate threats and two counts of cyberstalking in a federal indictment filed in New Jersey.
What do prosecutors allege?
Federal prosecutors allege Shabazz repeatedly threatened to kill two victims in New Jersey and Pennsylvania through graphic voicemails and text messages over approximately 15 months.
What sentence could he receive?
If convicted on all counts, Shabazz faces a maximum possible sentence of 50 years in federal prison. Any sentence would ultimately be determined by a federal judge.
Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, West Deptford Police Department
- Newark Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Suspect Accused of Flower Pot Assault
NEWARK, N.J. — The Newark Police Division is asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect wanted in connection with an aggravated assault that left a man injured inside an apartment building earlier this month.
According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, the attack occurred at approximately 9:47 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, inside the lobby of an apartment building in the 500 block of Kenneth A. Gibson Boulevard.
Police said the suspect entered the building through a rear entrance before being questioned by the building’s concierge. Authorities said the suspect became agitated during the encounter, picked up a flower pot and threatened to throw it at the victim.
- Newark police are seeking help identifying a suspect wanted for aggravated assault.
- The incident happened Aug. 1 in the lobby of an apartment building on Kenneth A. Gibson Boulevard.
- Police said the suspect struck the victim in the face with a flower pot.
- The victim suffered a chin laceration and a broken tooth.
- Surveillance video and photographs have been released.
- Anonymous tips may qualify for a reward through Crime Stoppers.
Engineer attempted to calm suspect
Police said a second employee, identified as the building’s engineer, attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect allegedly refused to calm down.
Investigators said surveillance video captured the suspect striking the victim in the face with the flower pot before fleeing the building.
The victim was transported to University Hospital for treatment of a laceration to his chin and a broken tooth.
Police ask public for assistance
Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr. is urging anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the assault to contact the Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477).
Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the Newark Police Division website. Authorities said all Crime Stoppers tips remain confidential and may be eligible for a reward.
- When did the assault occur?
- Police said the incident happened at approximately 9:47 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1.
- Where did the assault happen?
- Inside the lobby of an apartment building in the 500 block of Kenneth A. Gibson Boulevard in Newark.
- What injuries did the victim suffer?
- Authorities said the victim sustained a laceration to the chin and a broken tooth.
- Has anyone been arrested?
- No. Police are seeking the public’s help identifying the suspect.
Sources: Newark Department of Public Safety, Newark Police Division
