Thursday, May 28, 2009

MORRISTOWN: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., Chief of Investigations William Schievella, and Mount Arlington Borough Police Chief Richard Peterson announce the arrest of a school bus driver (Byram Bus Lines) on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault, (1st degree); Sexual Assault, (2nd degree); and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (3rd degree).

On May 27, 2009 at 11:13 p.m. Edward M. Comperchio, date of birth 01/04/35, was arrested at his Hopatcong residence as a result of an investigation by the Mount Arlington Police Department involving a 12 year old female victim.

It is alleged that Edward M. Comperchio, while acting in his capacity as a school bus driver, committed the sexual assault while the student (victim) was on his bus. It is alleged that Mr. Comperchio would park his bus prior to the normal bus route and commit the alleged crimes.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., stated, "We will vigorously prosecute an individual whenever a child is a victim of a crime allegedly perpetrated by a person who is in a position of responsibility and required to protect them. This matter will be fully investigated and we are committed to doing what is legally necessary to ensure that our children are protected from individuals who prey on them or who have motive to harm them. Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our children."

Anyone who may have information is asked to contact the Mount Arlington Borough Police Department at 973-398-2100, Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office Crime Stopper Program at 973-COPCALL or 973-267-2255.

Bail was set by the Honorable John B. Dangler of the Morris County Superior Court in the amount of $100,000, no 10% bail, no contact with the victim or her family and no contact with children under the age of 16 years old. Mr. Comperchio was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on May 28, 2009.

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law

Media contact: Captain Jeffery S. Paul

Monday, May 25, 2009

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi stated:

"This statement is to correct misleading media reports that Jets player Kerry Rhodes is the target of a criminal investigation, specifically rape, by Morris County law enforcement authorities. Mr. Rhodes is not the target of any criminal investigation. Rumors and media reports to the contrary are untrue. Information which is being reported through the media that Mr. Rhodes is the subject of a rape investigation is factually untrue and wholly inaccurate and has the capacity to unfairly damage the reputation of Mr. Rhodes."

Thursday, May 21, 2009

MORRISTOWN: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., in conjunction with New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram, Esq., Statewide Director of Gangs, Guns and Violent Crime Control Strategies Jose Cordero, Chief of Investigations William Schievella and Parsippany Chief of Police Michael Peckerman announced today, May 21, 2009, the conclusion of a short term undercover gun investigation which was conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Intelligence Crime Task Force in partnership with the Major Crimes Unit, Parsippany Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff's Office. The investigation targeted an individual who had a cache of weapons in his residence.

The investigation is a continuing effort of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Intelligence Crime Task Force, Major Crime Unit, Parsippany Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Department and the Morris County Park Police in accordance with Governor Jon S. Corzine's Strategy for Safe Streets and Neighborhoods, and at the Direction of Attorney General Anne Milgram and Director Jose Cordero.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office Intelligence Crime Task Force and Major Crime Unit in partnership with the Parsippany Police Department and Morris County Sheriff's Office engaged in an intelligence-led, data driven strategy. The partnering agencies worked in a collaborative effort to address this investigation.

On Thursday May 21, 2009 at approximately 12:15 a.m. heavily armed law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence of Adam Coughlan located at 43 Roosevelt Avenue in the Lake Hiawatha section of Parsippany. As a result of the search warrant execution the following items were seized:

Numerous assault rifles and other high powered weapons
Numerous high capacity magazines
Thousands of rounds of ammunition

This operation resulted in the seizure of over 40 firearms many of which were loaded.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is currently working with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the New Jersey State Police and Morris County Sheriff's Office to determine if the seized weapons were used in any other violent crimes.

Arrested/Charges:

Adam Coughlan
43 Roosevelt Avenue, Lake Hiawatha, NJ
DOB: 06/30/1980

(3) counts Unlawful Possession of an Assault Firearm with a high capacity detachable magazine
Unlawful Possession of High-Capacity Magazines

BAIL: $200,000 cash/bond set by Judge John B. Dangler, JSC

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi stated: "This arrest again represents the benefits of pursuing an intelligence/community led policing strategy. Our collaborative partnership has resulted in the significant seizure of over 40 firearms. Within the past year, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office has removed from the streets of Morris County in excess of over 80 guns and assault firearms. This is in addition to numerous kilos of narcotics and sizable amounts of cash received from illegal activities.

The citizens of Morris County are safer today as a result of the efforts of these fine law enforcement personnel. This investigation is on-going and it will take us several days to sort through the voluminous amounts of evidence which was seized. Additional charges are anticipated."

New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram stated "This is another example of how important it is for law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, county and local levels to share information and resources and target the most dangerous suspects, I applaud Prosecutor Bianchi and the team he put together in this investigation in getting this cache of dangerous weapons off the streets."

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.

(For more information, please call Media Contact, Captain Jeffrey S. Paul at 973 285-6200.)

Monday, May 04, 2009

MORRISTOWN: In a violent blur in the middle of the day, two armed, masked robbers rushed into the Park Jewelers in Boonton last month, shoving the store owner to the carpet and tying his hands.

In just minutes, the pair ransacked the shop, overturning trays, emptying the safe and stuffing their glittering take into a satchel. They disappeared into the streetscape that day with $135,000 in jewelry, leaving very little for the law to find them. Or so they thought.

A detective with a team of crime intelligence analysts with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Intelligence Crime Task Force and two tireless Boonton detectives knew otherwise.

One month after the crime, Boonton police and the prosecutor's staff collaborated, using institutional knowledge of street gangs and burglary activities to connect the dots of a complex case and arrest the alleged criminals.

The jewelry store owner was not injured during the April 2 robbery at 11:30 a.m. Some 28 days later, Boonton police got a tip that set the wheels in motion for a meeting with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Intelligence Crime Task Force and Burglary Task Force.

Detectives and analysts shared information to make a solid connection to the suspects.

"This is exactly what I envisioned when we implemented both the Intelligence Crime Task Force and the Burglary Task Force. The information does not stay here. It gets evaluated, analyzed and put back into the hands of our municipal officers on the street. It is about a collaborative partnership. None of us can do this job ourselves. We need one another and this is an example of how 'intelligence-led policing' pays off in big ways." said Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi.

Boonton detectives Christian Trowbridge and Leroy Harris agreed. "The work they did definitely helped us. What we did in hours with their help would have taken us a much longer time."

The Intelligence Crime Task Force's partnership with Boonton police led to first-degree robbery charges against a 17-year-old juvenile and 32-year-old Jimmy St. Juste. The Boonton man was also charged with employing a minor in a criminal enterprise, criminal restraint, conspiracy to commit robbery and theft. He remains in the Morris County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

The juvenile was additionally charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, theft and criminal restraint, and he remains in the Morris County Youth Detection Center.

Bianchi credited the efforts of his Intelligence Crime Task Force and Burglary Task Force staff along with the Boonton Police Department, and also noted that both the Dover and Randolph police played a role in the successful outcome. More arrests are expected, Bianchi said.

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.

This report was filed by Agent Bill Swayze on May 4, 2009.

Friday, May 01, 2009

MORRISTOWN: A 21-year-old Morristown man was charged with first-degree kidnapping after authorities said he allegedly carjacked a woman at knifepoint last night, robbing her of $300 before she escaped from him at a Hanover gas station, Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi said today.

Carlos Guaman also was charged with carjacking, robbery, aggravated assault and making terroristic threats following his arrest shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday, authorities said, noting weapon possession charges also were filed.

Guaman and the 24 year old woman crossed paths at 8:30 p.m. Thursday night, when the victim was getting out of her new Lexus on Cattano Avenue in Morristown. Guaman approached and ordered her to drive him to an ATM. He brandished a large knife.

After they drove to Florham Park and she withdrew $300 from an ATM, she convinced the alleged carjacker she needed to get to a gas station because she was having motor vehicle problems.

But after she pulled into a Route 10 gas station, she ran from the vehicle into the station, locked the door and told the service station worker to call police.

When Hanover Township Patrolman Paul Jun arrived with other officers, Guaman was spotted walking away after pounding on the service station window, authorities said.

Prosecutor Bianchi credited the rapid response of the Hanover Township Police Department as well as the quick-thinking actions of the victim and gas station attendant, who quickly called 911.

Guaman remains in the Morris County Jail in lieu of $350,000 bail, authorities said.

Despite these pending charges every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his or her rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitution and relevant state law.