Police say Ricardo Ferrera, 32, drove off after the shooting that killed Christina Cruz, 30, in the early hours of Monday
WOODBURY, NJ – A Franklinville man is wanted for murder after his girlfriend was shot to death inside a Franklin Township home early Monday morning. Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns announced that 32-year-old Ricardo A. Ferrera is being sought in the killing of 30-year-old Christina Cruz.
According to documents filed in the case, Franklin Township Police responded to a Porchtown Road residence at 12:36 a.m. on November 2 after reports of a shooting.
Gunshots Heard From Upstairs
A witness who had been upstairs at the home told police they heard gunshots and rushed downstairs. They found Cruz lying in the living room.
That witness told investigators Ferrera had been arguing with Cruz about two hours before the shooting. A second witness, who was in a first-floor bedroom, reported hearing the argument, followed by two gunshots and a thud.
Suspect Fled in a Vehicle
The first witness told police that Ferrera drove away after the shooting. His whereabouts remain unknown.
Charges and Suspect Description
Ferrera is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and certain persons not to have a weapon. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Authorities describe him as a Hispanic male, approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall and 190 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone who sees him or has information on where he may be should not approach him and should contact the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office or call 911 immediately.
For more on Gloucester County crime and Franklin Township developments, stay with Shore News Network. See more New Jersey crime coverage and murder investigation updates. Court information is available through the New Jersey Judiciary.
Chief Gregory Meyer credits proactive patrols for pulling impaired drivers off Ocean County roads before they cause a crash
LAKEWOOD, NJ – Six people were arrested on drunk driving charges in Lakewood over the weekend, and police say the pace of enforcement isn’t letting up. The Lakewood Police Department announced the arrests, which include Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and other related offenses.
According to the department, those arrested and charged were:
- Lazaro Vasquez-Mendez, 30, of Lakewood
- Martin Alvares-Hernandez, 37, of Jackson
- Manuel Contreras-Aguilar, 53, of Lakewood
- Fabian Castro-Lorenzo, 32, of Lakewood
- Raul Gonzalez, 42, of Brick
- Saul Gonzalez-Velasquez, 38, of Jackson
Chief Praises Patrol Officers
Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer credited the department’s patrol division for the arrests. “Our patrol officers do an outstanding job every day protecting this community,” Meyer said. “Their proactive enforcement and commitment to identifying impaired drivers help prevent tragedies before they happen.”
Police said the officers’ work to identify and remove impaired drivers helps prevent serious crashes and keeps residents safe.
A Warning to Motorists
The department reminded drivers that impaired driving puts everyone on the road at risk. Police said officers will continue enforcing DWI laws and holding those who drive impaired accountable.
All of those charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Information on DWI laws and penalties is available through the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety and the New Jersey Judiciary.
For more on Lakewood public safety and Ocean County crime news, stay with Shore News Network. See more DWI coverage and New Jersey crime updates.
A Route 211 convenience store delivers a Halloween surprise worth celebrating.
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – A QuickChek convenience store in Orange County sold a $50,000 Powerball ticket during Saturday night’s Halloween drawing, delivering a major lottery payday to a player in Middletown. The winning ticket was one of three third-prize winners sold across New York for the October 31 drawing.
According to the New York Lottery, the winning ticket was purchased at QuickChek, located at 751-761 Route 211 East in Middletown. The ticket matched four of the five white balls plus the red Powerball, qualifying for the game’s $50,000 third-tier prize.
The winning numbers were 2, 4, 18, 50 and 56, with 20 drawn as the red Powerball. The winning ticket was sold as players across the country chased one of the largest Powerball jackpots of the year.
QuickChek on Route 211 Sells Major Powerball Winner
The Route 211 QuickChek became one of just three New York retailers to sell third-prize-winning tickets in Saturday’s drawing.
The $50,000 prize is awarded to players who correctly match four white balls and the red Powerball. Those tickets fall just one white-ball match short of the game’s second-tier $1 million prize.
The Middletown location joined retailers in Newburgh and Poughquag in selling tickets worth $50,000 apiece.
Together, the three tickets accounted for $150,000 in third-tier Powerball prizes across the Hudson Valley region.
The lottery announcement identified the retailers but did not provide information about the ticket purchasers.
Halloween Drawing Brings Big Wins Across New York
Saturday’s Powerball drawing carried an advertised jackpot of approximately $760 million, making it an especially high-profile night for lottery players.
Although no ticket matched all six numbers to win the jackpot, several players across the country collected substantial prizes.
Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Players select five white-ball numbers from 1 through 69 and a separate red Powerball from 1 through 26.
New York Lottery draw-game tickets can be claimed for up to one year following the drawing date. The holder of the Middletown ticket has until October 31, 2027, to claim the prize.
The lottery reported contributing $3.6 billion to public schools statewide during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Quashawn Clayton, 28, of Hartford, was caught within hours after a bystander reported the break-in at a Mill Creek Drive parking deck
SECAUCUS, NJ – A Connecticut man is behind bars after police say he burglarized a parked car in Secaucus with a dead man inside. The Secaucus Police Department announced the arrest of 28-year-old Quashawn Clayton of Hartford, who was taken into custody just hours after the crime.
According to police, officers received a call at about 7:48 a.m. on November 1 reporting a burglary in progress at a 2026 Hyundai Elantra parked in the 200 Mill Creek Drive parking deck.
A Door Ajar and a Body Inside
When the first officers arrived, they found the Hyundai’s door open and the lifeless body of a 62-year-old Secaucus man inside. A description of the suspect was immediately sent to all patrol units and surrounding police agencies.
Detectives from the Secaucus Police Detective Division and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad responded to the scene. Police said no foul play is suspected in the man’s death at this time. The manner and cause of death are pending from the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
Foot Chase on Lighting Way
At about 11:02 a.m., Officer Jonathan Padron spotted a man matching the suspect’s description walking on Lighting Way, directly across the street from the parking deck. Padron approached the man, identified as Clayton, and ordered him to stop. Police said Clayton ignored the command and ran, with Padron chasing him on foot.
Clayton was arrested in the area of 100 Lighting Way. During a search following his arrest, police said he was carrying credit cards belonging to the deceased man.
Charges
Clayton is charged with:
- Burglary
- Theft of movable property
- Credit card theft
- Obstructing the administration of law
- Failure to report a death
He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Chief Credits Bystander and Officer
Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller thanked the person who called in the crime. “I want to publicly thank and acknowledge the reporting person for not just passing by but instead reported the crime in progress to the police,” Miller said.
Miller also praised Padron for catching the suspect within hours, and said the arrest reflects teamwork and information sharing across the department’s divisions.
For more on Hudson County crime and Secaucus developments, stay with Shore News Network. See more New Jersey crime coverage and burglary updates. Court information is available through the New Jersey Judiciary and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.
Rowan Boulevard was shut to traffic and foot traffic, and a State Police mounted unit joined the effort as officers handed out dozens of summonses and made several arrests
GLASSBORO, NJ – Glassboro police say a heavily staffed, carefully planned holiday weekend kept the borough’s busy downtown free of major incidents, even as officers wrote dozens of summonses and made multiple arrests on Friday and Saturday nights. The Glassboro Police Department announced the results after preparing for larger-than-usual crowds.
How Police Prepared
In anticipation of the crowds, the department put several measures in place, according to the announcement. Those included extra personnel on duty and the closure of Rowan Boulevard to vehicles and pedestrians. Police also activated the Gloucester County Mobile Deployment Team and partnered with the New Jersey State Police Mounted Unit.
Police said that preparation, along with heavy proactive enforcement, is why no major incidents were reported.
Friday and Saturday Night Enforcement Results
According to the Glassboro Police Department, officers recorded the following:
- Open container: 26
- Riotous and immoral conduct: 18
- Motor vehicle summonses: 12
- Parking summonses: 7
- Obstruction arrests: 4
- Public urination: 2
- Maintaining a nuisance: 2
- Permit ordinance violations (over 100 persons): 2
- Warrant arrests: 2
- Resisting arrest: 2
- Eluding: 2
- Hindering apprehension: 1
- Responsibilities of a parent: 1
- Disorderly conduct: 1
What It Means for Downtown
Glassboro’s downtown draws heavy foot traffic on holiday weekends, and the department’s plan centered on keeping crowds contained and moving. Anyone charged is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
For more on Gloucester County public safety and Glassboro news, stay with Shore News Network. See more New Jersey crime coverage and police updates. Court information is available through the New Jersey Judiciary and the Borough of Glassboro.
Prince George’s County police say Anthony Javier Rubio was arrested without incident; investigators have not found any evidence he knew the victim
CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD – A 19-year-old Capitol Heights man is behind bars on a murder charge after a 50-year-old man was shot to death inside his own home early Saturday. The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit announced the arrest of Anthony Javier Rubio in the killing of Domingo Saavedra-Escalona, also of Capitol Heights.
According to police, Rubio is charged with second-degree murder and related offenses.
Shot Inside His Residence
At about 4:35 a.m. on October 31, officers responded to the unit block of Quire Avenue for a report of a shooting. They found Saavedra-Escalona inside his residence with a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Suspect Taken Into Custody at Home
During the investigation, detectives located Rubio at his home and took him into custody without incident, police said.
Motive Still Unknown
The motive for the shooting remains under investigation. Police said there is currently no evidence the suspect and the victim knew each other.
Rubio is being held by the Department of Corrections with no bond. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Case information is available through the Maryland Judiciary and the Prince George’s County Police Department.
For more on Prince George’s County crime and Capitol Heights developments, stay with Shore News Network. See more Maryland crime coverage and murder investigation updates.
Investigators say one of three suspects was picked up during a traffic stop three days after shots shattered a second-story window
DOVER, DE – An 18-year-old man is in custody after a shooting last week that sent bullets into an occupied Dover home and a parked car. The Dover Police Department announced the arrest in the October 27 gunfire on the 500 block of River Road, which left no one hurt.
According to police, detectives identified the man as one of the shooting suspects. He was taken into custody on October 30 during a traffic stop.
Shots Fired on a Tuesday Afternoon
At about 4:22 p.m. on October 27, officers were sent to the 500 block of River Road for a report of shots fired. Police determined the gunfire came from the area of River Road and Sussex Avenue. The bullets struck a second-story window of a nearby residence and a parked vehicle.
A 10-year-old girl was inside the home at the time. She was not injured, and police said no injuries were reported. Officers recovered multiple shell casings during a search of the area.
The suspects were originally described as three Black males, all wearing dark clothing.
Arrest at East Water Street and New Castle Avenue
Detectives identified the 18-year-old as a suspect through their investigation. Officers took him into custody on October 30 during a traffic stop in the area of East Water Street and New Castle Avenue.
He was committed to SCI on a $29,500 cash bond. Police said he is charged with:
- Criminal mischief under $1,000 (two counts)
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
- Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited
- Possession of ammunition by a person prohibited
- Reckless endangering first degree
- Discharge of a firearm at a vehicle
Why There’s No Name
Police did not release the suspect’s name or photograph. The department cited Delaware’s House Bill 59, which took effect October 21, 2026. Under the law, an adult’s name and photo may be released only when the charge is a felony and disclosure is necessary to protect public safety.
The department said it remains committed to keeping the community informed within those legal limits. Police did not say whether the other two suspects have been identified or arrested. The charges are allegations, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information can contact the Dover Police Department.
For more on Dover public safety and Delaware crime news, stay with Shore News Network. See more shooting coverage and Kent County updates.
Two competing Republican tickets and a Democratic challenge have turned Jackson’s municipal election into a test of local political loyalties over passionate local issues, while Congressman Chris Smith faces a separate challenge amid changing early-voting patterns in Ocean County.
JACKSON, NJ – A divided Republican field in Jackson Township is adding some uncertainty to Tuesday’s election as Democrats show stronger early-voting participation across New Jersey, including in traditionally Republican Ocean County. With two Republican tickets battling for control of Jackson’s municipal government and a third slate led by Democrats, the election presents an unusual test of party loyalty, local political alliances and the influence of longtime Republican Congressman Chris Smith.
Chris Smith backed the local Republican-endorsed team of Mayor Kuhn, John Pejoski, and Brian McCarron, but a split among Republican voters tomorrow could produce more than one surprise outcome in Ocean County. That team was also endorsed by Ocean County Republican Assemblyman Alex Sauickie.
The Ocean County early-voting figures reported October 30 showed Republicans leading Democrats by just 28,846 to 27,203 advance ballots, a margin of 1,643 votes. Although Republicans remained ahead, the narrow difference stands out in a county that has long delivered substantial Republican margins in statewide and congressional elections.
While that split could have just minimal impact in head-to-head elections, in Jackson, with three tickets, that early voting anomaly could alter the outcome of the election, and right now, at least for mayor, it’s anyone’s race to win.
Overdevelopment more important to voters in Jackson than party politics
All three tickets in Jackson are claiming to run on opposing overdevelopment. While the Kuhn team is promoting a stance of preserving land, they have come under fire by the Shem Tov team who disputes that. While Shem Tov’s team says they are against overdevelopment, on Friday, they went on the Mike Caldarese podcast and opposed Kuhn’s plan to purchase 300 acres of land approved for 500 housing units owned by Lakewood developer Mordechai Eichorn.
Rose has been condemning both teams on their future plans in Jackson, saying they are the only ticket that truly opposes the Republican influence developers and Republican campaigns fighting each other over who is ‘more republican’ than the other one. He said he and his team can better work with Trenton on school funding issues, development issues, and municipal issues instead of Republicans. Both Republican tickets have condemned Trenton leadership. Rose says his ticket is tuned into the overdevelopment issues in Jackson and is ready to fight to defend the township against overdelopment.
The county figures come as Democrats have established a statewide advance-voting advantage exceeding 353,000 ballots. The statewide numbers do not reveal how voters cast their ballots, but they raise questions about whether stronger Democratic participation could affect races further down the ballot, including local contests where party affiliation has traditionally been only one factor in voters’ decisions.
For Jackson Township, the situation is complicated by an internal Republican contest that has placed two competing groups of GOP candidates against one another. Both are seeking support from the township’s Republican electorate while a Democratic slate offers voters a third choice.
Chris Smith’s Endorsement Becomes Part of Jackson Republican Fight
Mayor Jennifer Kuhn is running with Township Council candidates Brian McCarron and John “Pojo” Pejoski on the Standing Up for Jackson ticket, which has the backing of the local Republican organization. The ticket has also received the endorsement of Congressman Chris Smith, connecting the municipal contest to one of Ocean County’s most established Republican officeholders, but local issues are clouding the waters this year. Kuhn and her team have also received an endorsement from New Jersey Assemblyman Alex Sauickie.
Opposing Kuhn is Republican Elliott Shem-Tov, who is running for mayor alongside Councilman Christopher Pollak and Amanda Trombetta on the Fight for Jackson ticket. Their campaign challenges the Republican establishment-backed municipal slate, creating a contest between candidates who share a party affiliation but disagree over Jackson’s local leadership.
The disagreement has placed Smith’s political influence in the township under a microscope. His endorsement aligns him with Kuhn, McCarron and Pejoski, while the competing Republican slate is asking voters to choose different local leadership rather than follow the organization-backed ticket.
The third ticket is led by Democrat Brandon Rose, who is running for mayor with Paul Sarti and Casey Jackson as council candidates. Their Jackson United slate gives Democratic voters an alternative to both Republican groups and adds another variable to a municipal election already shaped by disputes over development, township leadership, and the direction of local government.
Now Rose and his team are hoping their monopoly on being the only Democrats in the race could lead to an unexpected victory Tuesday night.
Rose has presented his campaign as an alternative to the two dueling Republican tickets, while the competing GOP teams have focused on their respective approaches to municipal government. The three-way contest means voters will choose among candidates with different political alliances and priorities rather than a single unified Republican ticket facing one Democratic challenger.
Could Republican Divisions Affect Chris Smith’s Congressional Race?
The Jackson municipal election is unfolding alongside a congressional contest in which Smith faces Democrat Rachel Peace, a Wall Township resident challenging the longtime incumbent in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District. Smith has represented the district since 1981 and won reelection in 2024 with 67.4% of the vote, compared with 31.7% for Democratic challenger Matthew Jenkins.
The district remains heavily Republican. Donald Trump carried the 4th District by approximately 30 percentage points in 2024, while Republican Jack Ciattarelli carried it by 28 points in the 2025 gubernatorial election, but this year’s heated exchanges at town council meetings have made Jackson one of the most closely watched races south of the Raritan River.
Those margins pose a challenge for Peace, even with increased statewide Democratic early-voting participation. The available Ocean County figures cover the entire county, not just Smith’s congressional district, and they don’t show whether the incumbent is losing support among Republican voters. But Donald Trump isn’t on the ballot, and neither is Jack Ciattarelli. Chris Smith, who has faced his own criticisms by both parties after four decades in office is at the top of the Republican ticket. Another saving grace for Republicans in Jackson is that the town is non-partisan, so the teams will not be running under any Republican or Democrat party lines.
Still, the overlapping campaigns create an organizational question for Republicans in Jackson. While Smith has aligned himself with the Kuhn ticket, the Shem-Tov campaign competes for many of the same Republican voters, potentially shifting attention to local political disputes rather than the congressional contest.
The situation also raises the possibility of split-ticket voting. Jackson residents could support Smith for Congress while choosing either Republican municipal ticket or the Democratic slate, particularly because Jackson’s municipal election is officially nonpartisan.
Peace’s campaign has sought to challenge Smith on issues including health care and economic policy. Her campaign also operates within a broader statewide Democratic effort to increase participation in Republican-held congressional districts, although the extent of any coordinated voter outreach in Jackson has not been established.
Local Issues Could Determine Whether Democratic Turnout Matters in Jackson
For Jackson voters, the mayoral and council races have centered on matters much closer to home than the national political debate. Development, affordable housing, infrastructure, township spending and local government management have featured prominently in the campaign.
Kuhn’s ticket has emphasized open-space preservation, fiscal responsibility and public safety. Shem-Tov, Pollak and Trombetta have challenged the administration over development and municipal management, while Rose’s Jackson United campaign has offered an alternative to both Republican groups. Right now, the Shem-Tov and Rose teams appear to be competing for the same voter base as we head into Tuesday’s election.
A North Plank Road lottery ticket delivers a five-figure holiday payday.
NEWBURGH, N.Y. – A Newburgh smoke shop sold a Powerball ticket worth $50,000 during Saturday night’s Halloween drawing, giving one lottery player in Orange County a substantial prize. The ticket was purchased at Smokes 4 Less on North Plank Road, one of three locations across New York that sold third-prize-winning tickets.
The New York Lottery identified Smokes 4 Less, located at 59 North Plank Road in Newburgh, as one of the retailers selling a winning ticket for the October 31 Powerball drawing. The ticket matched four white balls and the red Powerball, earning the game’s standard $50,000 third-tier prize.
The winning white-ball numbers were 2, 4, 18, 50 and 56, with 20 serving as the red Powerball. Three tickets across New York matched the same prize requirements, with winners also sold in Middletown and Poughquag.
Smokes 4 Less became the latest Hudson Valley retailer to sell a significant Powerball-winning ticket.
The store’s location at 59 North Plank Road placed the winning sale in the Newburgh area, where lottery players were among those participating in Saturday’s nationally televised drawing.
The $50,000 third-tier prize is awarded when a ticket matches four of the five white balls plus the red Powerball.
A ticket matching all five white balls without the red Powerball would instead qualify for the game’s $1 million second-tier prize.
The New York Lottery’s announcement did not indicate whether the Newburgh ticket had been claimed.
Three Hudson Valley Stores Sell $50K Powerball Tickets
The Newburgh ticket was part of a trio of third-prize winners sold across New York in the Halloween drawing.
The other two tickets were purchased at a QuickChek on Route 211 East in Middletown and Beekman Shell on Route 55 in Poughquag.
Each ticket carried a $50,000 prize, bringing the total value of the three reported third-tier winners to $150,000.
All three retailers are located within the broader Hudson Valley region, making Saturday’s results particularly noteworthy for lottery players in that part of the state.
The national Powerball jackpot had reached an advertised $760 million before the October 31 drawing. No ticket matched all six numbers to capture the grand prize.
Powerball Players Have One Year to Collect Prizes
Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Players select five numbers from 1 through 69 and a red Powerball number from 1 through 26, with prize amounts depending on the combination matched.
Under New York Lottery rules, draw-game prizes must be claimed within one year of the drawing. The deadline for Saturday’s winning ticket is October 31, 2027.
Players can check results and review prize information through the official New York Lottery website.
The lottery also reported contributing $3.6 billion to public education statewide during fiscal year 2025-2026.
Party leaders say turnout will decide whether Ocean County stays red, while a county open space tax question also waits on the ballot
TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Ocean County Republican Organization is making a last-minute push for turnout on the eve of the general election on November 3. It is warning supporters that the county’s long-running GOP strength only holds if voters show up.
In a message posted to its Facebook page, the group said the campaign season comes down to one day. It framed Tuesday’s vote as a chance to “send a clear message” from Ocean County to Trenton.
“Finish the Job”
The organization leaned on the county’s reputation as a Republican stronghold. It called Ocean County the backbone of the party in New Jersey and said that status exists because its voters turn out.
The message also took aim at Democrats in Trenton, saying they are counting on Republicans to stay home. “Let’s prove them wrong,” the group wrote, urging supporters to help “keep Ocean County red.”
The post reminded voters to check their sample ballots if they are unsure where to go. It also told anyone still holding a mail-in ballot not to let it go to waste.
Gilmore: Whole Organization Is Working It
Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore said the entire organization has been working to get out the vote. He said it has also been campaigning for passage of the county’s open space ballot referendum.
The Open Space Question
Ocean County voters are being asked to raise the Natural Lands Trust Fund’s funding rate from 1.2 cents to 2.2 cents per $100 of total county equalized real property valuation, according to the county. Nearly 47 percent of the county, or almost 186,000 acres, has been preserved for open space across federal, state and county lands. Details on the program are available on the Ocean County open space page. oceanocean
Shore News Network previously reported on the county’s open space push, including a 98-acre preservation near the Forked River Mountains ahead of the vote.
Voters who want official information can find it through the New Jersey Division of Elections.
For more on Ocean County politics and Election Day coverage, stay with Shore News Network. See more New Jersey politics and Republican updates.
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