Four Armed Robbery Suspects Sought in Newark (2024)

Welcome to New Jersey, where the diners are legendary, the traffic circles are confusing, and the people? Well, let's just say they’ve got some quirks that make the Garden State one of a kind.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, here are five bizarre things that make Jersey folks delightfully weird.

Not weird like the current group of political candidates, but weird in a strange but quirky way.

They Treat Pork Roll Like a Sacred Rite

Forget bacon or sausage—the real breakfast champion in New Jersey is pork roll (or Taylor ham, depending on which part of the state you’re in). This mysterious meat product has reached near-mythical status here, and people will passionately argue over the best way to eat it. In fact, questioning its glory is practically a sin. But here’s the kicker: there’s even a Pork Roll Festival in Trenton, where people gather to celebrate this cholesterol-packed delicacy. Only in Jersey, folks.

They’re Obsessed with the Jughandle

If you’ve ever driven through New Jersey, you’ve probably encountered the infamous jughandle turn. Instead of turning left at a light like a normal human being, Jersey drivers take a right and loop around in a weirdly complicated U-turn. It’s confusing, it’s inefficient, and somehow, it’s deeply cherished. New Jerseyans defend their jughandles like they’re the eighth wonder of the world—never mind that the rest of the country has no idea why they exist.

They Believe in the Jersey Devil

Move over Bigfoot; New Jersey has its very own cryptid! The Jersey Devil is a legendary creature that supposedly haunts the Pine Barrens, and locals are more than happy to swap spooky stories about it. This kangaroo-like demon with bat wings has been terrifying (and entertaining) New Jerseyans for over 250 years. Some even claim to have seen it, though those sightings usually occur late at night… after a few too many drinks.

They Pump Their Fists… and Their Gas

If you want to see a Jersey resident get riled up, suggest they pump their own gas. It’s illegal to do so in New Jersey, and while most of the country sees this as an outdated practice, locals wear it like a badge of honor. They’ll sit in their cars while someone else does the dirty work, all while insisting this is the way things should be. And yes, they’ll pump their fists in the club just as passionately as they avoid pumping their own gas.

They Consider Diners a Culinary Institution

New Jersey isn’t called the “Diner Capital of the World” for nothing. Here, diners aren’t just a place to grab a late-night snack; they’re an institution. Open 24/7, these chrome-adorned havens serve everything from disco fries to massive omelets, and they do it with a side of Jersey attitude. Locals treat their favorite diner like a second home, where they can argue about sports, politics, and, of course, whether it’s called pork roll or Taylor ham.

So, there you have it—five wonderfully weird things that make New Jersey the strange and special place it is. Sure, the state might get a lot of flak, but it’s the quirks that keep people coming back for more. And honestly, would we want it any other way?

NEWARK, N.J. — The Newark Police Division has announced the arrest of 14 individuals in connection with violent crimes committed during August.

Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé commended the efforts of multiple law enforcement units for their role in bringing these suspects into custody.

“I am grateful for the commitment of our Fugitive Apprehension Team, Shooting Response Team, Robbery Unit, Auto Unit, Special Victims Unit, Detective Bureau members, and the U.S. Marshals Service for these outstanding results,” Director Fragé said. “The Newark Police Division is focused on keeping our residents and visitors safe.”

While these arrests mark significant progress in the city's ongoing fight against violent crime, it is important to note that the charges against each suspect are accusations at this stage. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

TRENTON, N.J. — Gordian A. Ndubizu, a 69-year-old resident of Princeton Junction, New Jersey, has been convicted of evading federal income taxes and filing false tax returns, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. The conviction came on August 15, 2024, after a federal jury in Trenton returned a guilty verdict on all eight counts of the indictment following a four-day trial.

Ndubizu, a professor of accounting at a Pennsylvania university and co-owner of Healthcare Pharmacy in Trenton, was found guilty of four counts of tax evasion and four counts of filing false tax returns for the tax years 2014 through 2017. The jury deliberated for just two hours before delivering the verdict in the case presided over by U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi.

According to court documents and trial evidence, Ndubizu engaged in a scheme to evade taxes by preparing fraudulent books and records for Healthcare Pharmacy. He inflated the pharmacy’s costs of goods sold to underreport its profits, which flowed through to him and his wife as income. Among the fraudulent activities, Ndubizu falsely identified wire transfers as payments for goods when, in reality, these transfers were directed to his personal bank accounts and to accounts in Nigeria associated with an automotive company he controlled.

As a result of these fraudulent activities, Ndubizu failed to report approximately $3.28 million in income from the pharmacy, leading to the evasion of about $1.25 million in taxes due and owing. Additionally, his tax returns falsely claimed that he had no financial interest in or signature authority over any foreign bank accounts.

Each count of tax evasion carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Each count of filing a false tax return carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The investigation leading to Ndubizu’s conviction was conducted by special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, led by Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark. The investigation also received support from special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as officers from the Trenton Police Department and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the District of New Jersey.