Regional Briefs – August 13, 2015

Man Spends Night on Buoy After Watercraft Breaks Down

SANDY HOOK, N.J. – A teen spent Tuesday night clinging to a buoy after his watercraft broke down, The Associated Press reported. Dylan Gowan, 19, was reported missing around 11 p.m., sparking an extensive search. He swam after dawn toward Sandy Hook and was recovered by a Coast Guard boat.

Elderly Bayonne Man Hits Mayor’s Aide With Cane

BAYONNE, N.J. – An elderly Bayonne resident struck a mayor’s aide in the face with his cane Tuesday after he asked city workers to keep an eye on his keys and they were lost, NJ.com reported. The man wasn’t arrested and the aide, Anthony Vodrazka, wasn’t injured.

Bear Attack in Adirondack Park Injures Man and Dog

STRATFORD, N.Y. – A man and his dog were injured Tuesday by a bear in Adirondack Park, The Associated Press reported. The dog was off leash when it encountered the bear, who attacked it. It then set upon the man when he intervened. The man chased the bear off by hitting it on the nose with a stick.

County Legislator Accused of Filing False Jobless Claims

ALBANY – The chairman of Rensselaer County’s legislature collected $15,000 of unemployment benefits even though he received an annual salary of $30,000 as a legislator, The Associated Press reported. Martin Reid was arrested Wednesday and released on bail.

8 LaGuardia Taxi Dispatchers Arrested in Bribe Sting

NEW YORK – Eight taxi dispatchers at LaGuardia Airport were arrested on Wednesday for accepting bribes to allow cabbies to cut the line for customers, The Associated Press reported. The bribes were only $5 or $10, but it added up to hundreds of dollars a day.

2nd Man Charged in Theft of $150K Left by ATM Workers

MAHWAH, N.J. – A second man was found and arrested Tuesday in a Newark motel for making off with a bag containing $150,000 mistakenly left behind by ATM workers, The Associated Press reported. Jamar Bludson’s arrest came a week after he and Alton Harvey grabbed the bag in Mahwah.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the August 13th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.