Alleged kidnappers of local man head to court
NORTH BERGEN – Two New Jersey residents who have been charged with carjacking and kidnapping a North Bergen man during the man’s recent Atlantic City trip were scheduled for their first court appearance Wednesday.
Craig Arno, 44, of Atlantic City, and Jessica Kisby, 24, of Egg Harbor Township, were arrested last week in connection with the disappearance of Martin Caballero, 47, of North Bergen. The duo allegedly attacked Caballero when he went to park his car at the Taj Mahal Casino’s parking garage after dropping his wife off on May 21. The family was there to celebrate his daughter’s 22nd birthday.
Hours after Caballero disappeared, someone used his ATM card in a town 25 miles west off the Atlantic City Expressway. Hours after that, his vehicle was found engulfed in flames in a Camden County town.
Atlantic City Prosecutor Ted Housel announced at a press conference this past Sunday that the remains of Caballero were found in a remote area of Atlantic County early on Sunday morning. At 6:29 a.m. on May 30, a farmer discovered the remains in a field and notified police.
“My heart goes out to the family,” said Housel.
For updates, go to www.hudsonreporter.com. – Tricia Tirella
Arrest in Monday morning stabbing in Union City
UNION CITY — A 23-year old Union City resident was stabbed to death around 3 a.m. Monday morning during a fight involving a group of men near the front of Studio 45 Nite Club on Bergenline and Golden Lane in Union City, County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said.
Ivan Restrepo, of Seventh Street, was stabbed to death. His brother, Alejandro Restrepo, 19, also of Seventh St. in Union City, was stabbed multiple times and was in critical condition on Tuesday.
DeFazio said on Tuesday that Juan Ventura Balbuena, 19, of 61st St. in West New York, was arrested at the scene. As of press time, according to DeFazio, a warrant was out for the apprehension of Juan Ventura Balbuena’s cousin, Daniel Balbuena, 18, of 67th St. in West New York.
According to DeFazio, there were a number of witnesses to the event, which he said started as a verbal argument during which insults were exchanged. It then escalated into a physical altercation, he said. DeFazio said that it does not appear that the victims were armed.
Anyone with information should call the Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad at (201) 915-1345.
Local man drowns in attempt to cross Delaware River
UNION CITY – A 31-year old man from Union City drowned as he attempted to swim across the Delaware River on Memorial Day, according to Deb Nordeen, a spokeswoman from the National Parks Service.
The incident was reported by witnesses at 1:20 p.m. Emergency responders from a number of agencies arrived on the scene immediately and conducted a search.
Divers found his body in 14 feet of water just before 3 p.m.
Nordeen said that the deceiving river current and depth has led to the deaths of others attempting to cross the river before.
“People do attempt to swim across the Delaware River,” said Nordeen. “But they underestimate the distance as well as the current.”
Nordeen said the man, who is still unidentified as investigators try to contact the next of kin, was visiting the park at Milford Beach with a group from the Union City area.
Woman awarded $760K in suit against ex-NJ Transit cops whom she accused of sex crime
JERSEY CITY – A woman who went to two NJ Transit police officers for help four years ago claimed that she was subsequently forced to perform sex acts on them, and now she’s been awarded three quarters of a million dollars by a jury.
Last week a jury in Hudson County Superior Court awarded the Middlesex County woman $760,000 to be paid by NJ Transit and two former NJ Transit police officers whom she alleged raped her in 2006.
According to published reports, the woman was working at a financial firm in Manhattan and had drinks after work. She took the PATH to Jersey City. Upon arriving there, she told two NJ Transit police officers that she was scared and had been drinking, and wanted help finding her car at Liberty State Park.
Instead, according to the woman’s side of the story, the officers told her to take the light rail and they’d meet her at the park. There, they allegedly told her to drive her car and follow their car…then allegedly told her that if she didn’t “take care of” them, they’d arrest her for drunk driving.
The men were convicted of official misconduct – but were not charged with any sex crimes – and spent nine months in jail. They no longer work for the transit agency.
Hoboken garden tour this weekend
HOBOKEN – Behind Hoboken’s brownstones and former factory facades is a world of lush gardens and unusual courtyard spaces. Gardeners and non-gardeners alike are invited to indulge their curiosity and pick up urban gardening tips on the Hoboken Historical Museum’s 13th Annual Secret Garden Tour, Sunday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Rain date: June 13).
Eight to 10 residential gardens will open their gates to tour goers to support the museum’s fundraising efforts. The tour is sponsored by Hufnagel Landscaping, with support from other local gardening centers and assistance from the Hoboken Garden Club.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of tour. Hoboken Historical Museum members and Hoboken Garden Club members may purchase tickets for $20, and children under the age of 13 are admitted free. For advance tickets, stop by the museum at 1301 Hudson St., or call (201) 656-2240.
Tickets are also available at several retail locations around town: Hudson Place Realty, 132 Washington St.; Amanda’s Restaurant, 908 Washington St.; and Baskets of Distinction, 1102 Washington St.
Comfortable shoes and sun protection are advised. Volunteers are also needed; if interested, call the museum at (201) 656-2240, or e-mail volunteer@hobokenmuseum.org. Visit www.hobokensecretgardens.com for more information about the tour.