New Jersey Acting Gov. Way declares state of emergency

TRENTON, NJ — Acting Governor Tahesha Way has declared a state of emergency for New Jersey, effective 6:00 p.m. today, due to anticipated severe weather caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.

This precaution, detailed in Executive Order 364, is in effect in all 21 counties in the state.

Impending severe weather, including heavy rainfall, strong winds and potential flash flooding, prompted the acting governor to urge residents to stay home and avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary.

“I have declared a state of emergency effective 6:00 p.m. today due to severe weather impacts from Tropical Storm Debby,” Acting Governor Way said in a statement, emphasizing the importance of staying off the roads to ensure personal safety and to facilitate emergency response.

Residents are encouraged to visit New Jersey’s official emergency preparedness website, ready.nj.gov, and monitor local forecasts and warnings.

Residents of northern New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area can get up-to-date information from the U.S. National Weather Service in New York, NY, and for residents of central and southern New Jersey, from the U.S. National Weather Service in Philadelphia/Mount Holly.

Shots Ring Out in Queens, NYPD Searching for Shooter

QUEENS, NEW YORK — The police are investigating a shooting that occurred on Thursday at approximately 6:55 p.m. in front of a house at 219 116-42 Street.

An unidentified male fired a gun into the trunk of a 2012 Dodge and then fled the scene on foot, heading north on 219th Street.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the shooting. The suspect is described as dark-skinned with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a blue hoodie, gray sweatpants, white sneakers, and carrying a backpack.

Authorities are looking for any information relating to the incident and those involved.
Virginia man arrested for assaulting young New Jersey girl over six years

HACKENSACK, New Jersey — Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of David Persaud, a 40-year-old resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, on charges of sexual assault of a minor.

The arrest resulted from an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Victims’ Unit under the leadership of Chief Matthew Finck and the Englewood Police Department under the leadership of Chief Thomas Greeley.

The investigation began Wednesday after a report of an alleged sexual assault that took place in Englewood, N.J., in 2003. The victim was reportedly repeatedly assaulted between the ages of 13 and 18.

David Persaud was charged Tuesday with two counts of second-degree sexual assault. On Thursday, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and officers from the Prince William County (VA) Police Department arrested Persaud at his home in Virginia.

He is currently being held in the Prince William County Adult Detention Center, awaiting extradition to Bergen County, New Jersey.
NYPD seeks Bronx rapist after attack on 35-year-old woman

BRONX, NEW YORK — The NYPD is investigating a reported sexual assault that occurred early Monday morning in the Bronx. A 35-year-old woman was attacked as she walked near the intersection of Bergen Avenue and East 149th Street around 1:06 a.m.

The suspect, described as dark-skinned and approximately 6 feet tall, approached the victim and asked for directions before attacking him. He was last seen fleeing east on East 149th Street toward Brook Avenue.

The victim was then transported to NYC Health and Hospitals/Lincoln, where he was listed in stable condition.

The suspect was wearing a black shirt with a multi-colored pattern, black pants, black shoes and was carrying a dark backpack. The Bronx Special Victims Squad is handling the ongoing investigation.