If Ivan Concepcion could say one thing to the person or people responsible for his brother’s disappearance, it would be to “…not to hurt him, and to let us know what they want, and we just want him back.”
Concepcion’s brother Martin Caballero, 47, of North Bergen was last seen on Friday, May 21 at 10:30 p.m. outside of the Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City. He had just dropped off his wife at the hotel’s entrance and was in Atlantic City to celebrate his daughter Jessica’s 22nd birthday with his family.
However, since he left to park his 2009 Lincoln MKS in the self park lot, his family has not seen him.
According to Atlantic City Police Cabellero’s ATM card was used around 1 a.m. Saturday at a Bank of America in Egg Harbor Township, with $300 taken out of his account by a man who was in Caballero’s car. Concepcion said that the car was found on fire around 2:30 a.m. in Blackwood, N.J. with no one inside.
Concepcion arrived in Atlantic City Tuesday evening to aid his family in their search. He said they could only speak about the information that had already been released by police.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office is now the lead agency on the case, with the Atlantic City Police Department, the Gloucester Township Police Department, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit, amongst other agencies, assisting.
North Bergen Police said they have checked on Caballero’s family and house in North Bergen several times without noting any suspicious activity. They also have reached out to the Atlantic City Police Department and offered their help on the case, but have not been asked to aid them.
“My family has been handing out a lot of flyers in the area, through the casino areas, and the surrounding areas with his picture and a phone number for the Atlantic City Police Department, to see if anyone has seen him,” said Concepcion, who said family and friends from throughout the region have been traveling to Atlantic City to help. “That’s pretty much all of the work that we’ve been able to do, unfortunately.”
Concepcion said that there was “some truth” to reports that Caballero took extra care of his car and would sometimes park away from other vehicles, but said there was no way to tell if he parked in an isolated section in the lot that night.
“He’s a family man,” said Concepcion, who said that Caballero has lived in North Bergen for most of his life. “He’s a hard working guy. He was bringing his daughter to celebrate her 22nd Birthday.”
Man allegedly threatened to shoot his wife’s ex-boyfriend
According to North Bergen Police, Juan Rosado was arrested on May 20 after he allegedly pulled a BB gun on another man at the Rico Rico restaurant.
Rosado, 38, of North Bergen, had allegedly followed the victim, a 28-year-old township resident, earlier that day, then noticed the man again that evening.
The victim said that as he entered the restaurant to take cover, Rosado allegedly opened his car’s trunk and pulled out a black gun and said, “Come outside, I’m going to shoot you,” said Detective Bureau Commander Lt. Frank Cannella.
When Rosado was told while attempting to enter the restaurant that police were on their way, he allegedly fled the scene.
Cannella said that police found Rosado at his home after running his license plate number, which was provided by witnesses. Police said the victim had allegedly been in a relationship with Rosado’s wife.
Rosado was charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose.
Cannella said that Rosado posted $10,000 bail and was released.
Massage parlor workers arrested for alleged prostitution
Police say that workers at the Wellness Hands and Healing Spa were treating customers to more than just a massage last Thursday.
Cannella said that after receiving a prostitution complaint about the spa, located at 7704 Kennedy Blvd., two undercover detectives posed as clients and scheduled appointments on May 20, shortly before 9 p.m.
One detective was met by Ying Hau Li, 45, of Flushing, Queens, who took him into a private room, asked him to remove his clothing and change into a robe. She then allegedly asked him for $60 and began a “table shower,” said Cannella.
Cannella said she began to massage the detective’s back, but after asking him to roll over, allegedly touched his genitalia. The officer identified himself as a cop and arrested her.
Li allegedly became irate and attempted to flee. Cannella said that she was charged with prostitution and resisting arrest.
The second detective arrested Inbok Lee, 33, of Palisades Park, who was charged with promoting prostitution. Cannella said that she was allegedly the manager of the spa and had handled the money in the previous transaction.
Man caught allegedly signing a phony check
Amelle Hancox was arrested on May 24 and charged with fraud after he allegedly attempted to sign a phony check.
Hancox, 29, of Jersey City was arrested as he attempted to cash a check at the Chase Bank, located on Tonnelle Avenue, when the teller noticed that the name on the check, Jay Terry, didn’t match the signature, according to police.
Hancox had opened a Bank of America account earlier in the day with a small amount of cash and had then allegedly attempted to cash a $560 check at the Chase Bank, said Cannella. The bank employee noticed that Hancox allegedly had fake identification and called the Bank of America, who said the account had insufficient funds. They then called the police.
Cannella said that Hancox had allegedly done this at several banks, including one in North Carolina, but because it takes checks three days to clear, banks would not catch wind until it was too late.
April burglary suspect apprehended
Joshua Justin Evans, the suspect in an alleged diversion burglary scheme in April, was apprehended earlier this month.
Evans, along with another suspect, allegedly posed as state workers claiming they needed to check an 80-year-old woman’s plumbing. Evans allegedly snuck into the house and stole $200 from her purse on April 29 at about 2 p.m. while the other suspect allegedly diverted the woman in conversation. The women’s daughter spotted Evans hiding by the stove, but got a good look at him before he ran out of the house, enabling her to identify him later, said Cannella.
Evans was arrested on May 12 by the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, which then turned him over to North Bergen Police.
Cannella said $9,242 was confiscated from Evans at the time of his arrest because he could not account for why he had such a large amount of money. Evans posted $10,000 bail and was released the day of his arrest, said Cannella.
Students allegedly try to ‘jump’ retired officer
Emad Dalia, 18, was arrested on last Wednesday, May 19 after a fight ensued outside of North Bergen High School.
Earlier that day Dalia and another student, a juvenile, had allegedly made comments to one another. However, after school the 17-year-old was allegedly surrounded by Dalia and a group of students on Kennedy Boulevard and they allegedly began to punch him, said Cannella.
Dalia allegedly followed the victim down 73rd Street and struck him with an aluminum rod. A retired officer, Thomas Insetta, witnessed the scene from his house and attempted to break up the fight. When he flashed his badge and withdrew his weapon, Dalia allegedly tried to rip the gun from his hand while other individuals surrounded him. Insetta called police for backup, said Cannella.
Cannella said that officers found Dalia hiding in a backyard off Kennedy Boulevard after they canvassed the area.
He was charged with aggravated assault, robbery (for attempting to take Insetta’s gun), unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest. He was released to his parents on $5,000 bail.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.