Regional Briefs – Marcg 5, 2019

Social Security Worker Arrested for $100,000 Theft

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Social Security employee was arrested Monday for stealing nearly $100,000 from numerous accounts and falsifying records to cover it up, The Associated Press reported. Nicholas Pao, 37, handled eligibility and payment amounts and reviewed cases. He fraudulently reinstated benefits for some people and changed their address to one he could access.

Footprints in Snow Lead Police to Car Thief

HACKENSACK, N.J. – Footprints in the snow led police from a crashed stolen car to the man suspected of stealing it, NJ.com reported. The 23-year-old was arrested on motor vehicle theft and resisting arrest.

Crash on Slushy Road Kills Two Philadelphia Residents

MONROE, N.J. – A crash on a slushy road took the lives of two Philadelphia residents and critically injured a third when it lost control, crossed the center line and was hit by another car, The Associated Press reported. Police said there was “massive damage to both vehicles.”

Lawyers Blame Limo Crash on ‘Act of G-d’

ALBANY – Lawyers for the owners of a limousine that crashed and killed 20 people say their clients weren’t to blame since it could have been caused by an “act of G-d” or failure to wear seatbelts, the Times Union reported. The argument came in response to a lawsuit.

University Student Cited for White Supremacist Flyers

BRIGHTON, N.Y. – Police cited a University of Rochester student for distributing white supremacist flyers and stickers around a western New York town last fall, WHAM reported. Christopher Hodgman, 23, of Maryland faces a $250 fine and up to 15 days in jail after his fingerprints were found on the glue.

Upstate Could Get at Least a Foot of Snow

LYONS, N.Y. – A National Weather Service expert says up to 16 inches of snow could cover the ground by Thursday morning in parts of upstate, Syracuse.com reported. It comes as 22 school districts ran out of snow days. If more days are needed, school breaks will have to be used for classes.