Regional Briefs – April 4, 2016

Sub-zero Temperatures Possible Across New Jersey

TRENTON – New Jersey could see sub-zero degrees Tuesday from 1 a.m. until 10 a.m., the National Weather Service reported. A freeze watch is set for late Tuesday to early Wednesday across the southern and coastal parts of the state.

Newark Fire Captain Faces Police Impersonation Charges

NEWARK – A fire captain who activated his emergency lights and stopped two cars was arrested Monday for impersonating a police officer, The Associated Press. Anthony Graves, 47, questioned both drivers in the 2014 incident but didn’t issue any summonses.

Ringleader of $1.6M Check Fraud Scheme Gets Prison

TRENTON – The leader of a $1.6 million counterfeiting ring that deposited 300 bogus checks across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida received a six-year sentence Monday, The Associated Press reported. Harold Stephens, 32, is also liable with two co-defendants for $590,354 in restitution.

Town’s Volunteer Firefighter Charged With Arson

FAIR HAVEN, N.J. – A teenage volunteer firefighter was arrested Saturday for setting fire to a Boy Scout shed before returning to help extinguish the blaze, The Associated Press reported. A probe quickly zeroed in on Nicholas Joyce, 19, a former Boy Scout. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Parked Truck Prompts Brief Evacuation of Times Square

NEW YORK – Times Square was briefly evacuated Saturday night after a suspicious box truck with wires protruding from its dashboard and gas canisters behind its seats was found, The New York Times reported. The all-clear signal was given when the cans were determined to be empty. The driver was questioned but not charged.

Nanny Saves Baby by Pushing Stroller Out of Way

OCEANSIDE, N.Y. – A Long Island nanny was called a “hero” for saving a 9-month-old boy by pushing his stroller away from an oncoming car just before it struck her, Newsday reported. The 62-year-old woman is in a medically induced coma. The baby was unharmed.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the April 5th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.