Regional Briefs – December 16, 2014

4 Texans Charged In Asian Home Invasions

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Four Texans were charged for a mystifying string of home invasion robberies that targeted the Asian-Indian community in Middlesex County. Chaka Castro, Juan Olaya, Octavius Scott and Johnisha Williams were arrested in New York, Georgia, Michigan and Texas.

State Trooper Posed as Media to Film Protesters

TRENTON – A state trooper in Gov. Chris Christie’s detail posed as a member of the media to photograph a dozen protesters during a Sandy town hall event in March, NJ.com reported. The state attorney general concluded it was inappropriate, but the trooper was not disciplined.

Cuomo Says Fracking Study Coming Soon

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday a long-awaited study from the state Health Department on the impact of hydraulic fracturing, which the state has prohibited since 2008 pending environmental studies, will come by the end of the year. Fracking is credited for freeing the United States of dependence on foreign oil.

Prof. Charged With Assaulting Police at Brooklyn Riot

NEW YORK – An English professor at Baruch College was arrested for assaulting a police officer during a protest Saturday night, The Associated Press reported. Eric Linsker, a Crown Heights resident, tried to throw a garbage can at officers below him on the Brooklyn Bridge. His backpack contained three hammers and a black face mask.

Affirmative Action Officer Hit With Bias Complaint

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. – An affirmative action specialist at a Nassau jail was hit with a police union bias complaint for posting anti-police comments, Newsday reported. Andreaus Guilty accused police of “ethnic cleansing.” Correction officers protested on Monday outside the jail.

Hunters Cull 267 Bears in N.J. Hunt

TRENTON – Hunters killed 267 bears during New Jersey’s annual 4-day black bear hunt which ended Saturday, an increase of 16 from last year. The overall number of bears dropped by a quarter since the hunt began five years ago, but reports of aggressive bears have risen.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the December 16th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.