Ongoing investigation into WNY homicide
The investigation is ongoing into a homicide that took place on Thursday night in West New York, according to both the West New York Police Department and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.
Details about the case were scarce as of Thursday morning, but Debra Simon, the first deputy assistant in the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed that one adult male is dead as a result of the shooting.
“All I’m at liberty to say is that there was a shooting at about 3 a.m. this morning in West New York in the vicinity of 60th Street and Park Avenue,” said Simon.
One published report on a New York City news website stated that multiple shots were fired and police are in search of a man and woman who fled the scene in a purple and green Toyota RAV4.
Simon said that the suspect is still at large and investigators do have information on possible witnesses, but she could not give any further information.
Man strangled to death in UC; suspect held on $500K bail
According to the Hudson County Prosecutors Office, bail has been set at $500,000 for the man accused of strangling another man in Union City on Oct. 2.
Jorge Torres, 46, of Union City, also known as “Sandra,” has been charged with allegedly killing Edwin Acosta, 34, also of Union City, by manual strangulation.
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said that Torres reported finding the body in the apartment on the 3900 block of Palisade Avenue on Saturday morning.
When police and medical responders arrived, DeFazio said they found Acosta unclothed on the bedroom floor and there were no signs of struggle.
As of press time, no motive had been established.
According to DeFazio, prior to going to Torres’ apartment, Torres and Acosta had met earlier in the evening at a bar on New York Avenue in Union City where Torres worked.
DeFazio added that the two apparently knew each other prior to socializing at the bar in the early hours of Saturday morning.
While DeFazio confirmed that the victim and suspect had a social relationship, he would not speak to whether or not that relationship was of a domestic or business nature.
He also could not comment on whether or not Torres might have a previous criminal record but did say, “He was a victim of a prior incident, which apparently occurred in the same building.”
WNY man who had standoff with WNY police in January pleads guilty to Springfield robbery
According to U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, a West New York man pleaded guilty on Oct. 1 to the 2009 robbery of $30,000 from an Investors Savings Bank in Springfield.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s office, Philip Tatis, 44, walked into the bank on March 2, 2009 and approached a bank teller with a note, which stated that a bank customer had been kidnapped by Tatis and his partner at gunpoint and that the teller must give him $30,000 in less than two minutes.
The teller complied and Tatis fled with the money, but in reality, Tatis did not have a partner and had not taken a hostage.
Tatis was not identified by authorities until earlier this year when his roommate walked into a deli near the West New York apartment they shared on Jan. 25 to warn them that Tatis was in their apartment with a gun writing a note to use in a bank robbery. Cops ran the name and confirmed that Tatis was wanted in the Springfield robbery.
When they arrived at his home, Tatis locked himself inside the apartment and threatened to shoot himself and police. A seven-hour standoff ensued, and Tatis was arrested later that evening.
Tatis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on the bank robbery charge to which he pleaded guilty, and was ordered by the court to make restitution.
WNY presents free classic car show
On Oct. 23, West New York will hold its first annual classic car show from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Jackson Street between 57th and 59th streets. Cars from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s will be on display as well as hot rods, custom cars, cycles, and trucks. Music will be provided by DJ Richie Flash and Crew. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy live music, games, and more. For more information, call (201) 745-0386 or (732) 525-0412 or visit www.cnjcca.com.
Parade to be held in celebration of Dominican heritage
A Dominican Parade will be held on Oct. 17 at noon, proceeding from 59th Street and Bergenline Avenue to 49th Street and Bergenline Avenue.
October dates for NHCAC mobile van announced
The North Hudson Community Action Corporation mobile health van will make the following stops during the month of October providing information and health screenings (including high pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol) to residents. Referrals can also be made to NHCAC’s various health center sites from the van:
• Oct. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Washington School, 3905 New York Ave. in Union City
• Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Joseph/St. Michael Church, 1314 Central Ave. in Union City
• Oct. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at 37th Street and Palisade Avenue in Union City and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 39th Street and Palisade Avenue in Union City
• Oct. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at 5800 Jefferson St. in West New York and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 6100 Adams St. in West New York
• Oct. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Save Latin America, 138-39th St. in Union City
• Oct. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 430 62nd St. in West New York
• Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Anthony’s, 615 8th St. in Union City and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in West New York
For more information, call (201) 866-2388 or visit www.nhcac.org.
Registration for free arts classes will be held weekly
The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc. will hold registration for its professional theatre training program every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jose Marti Freshman Academy, 1800 Summit Ave. in Union City.
The program is open to children ages ten and up and includes unlimited free classes in ballet, jazz, flamenco, salsa, tap/rhythm, singing, and acting.
To register, kids must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Due to a limited amount of open spaces, only kids who demonstrate true interest and commitment to the program will be accepted. No special clothing or equipment needed, but a registration fee of $25 per student is required. For information call (201) 864-7149 or log on to www.GraceTheatre.com.
Free nature program offered on manmade island
The Bergen County Audubon Society invites all Hudson County residents to come out to Van Buskirk Island, a man-made island at the heart of the Hackensack River, on Oct. 12 for a free nature program. The island did not exist until 1802, and was created by the dams for the mills. Anyone who is interested in attending can meet at the Elm Street Bridge in Oradell at 9 a.m. For directions, call Gerry Byrne at (201) 262-0157. For more information, email greatauk4@aol.com.