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K-9 Blaze had an 8-year career with the sheriff’s office. < Back SCSO mourns the passing of search & rescue K-9 K-9 Blaze had an 8-year career with the sheriff’s office. Previous Next Sheriff Strada is deeply saddened to announce the unexpected death of our search and rescue dog, K-9 Blaze who died suddenly, but peacefully, in his sleep over the weekend. A former service dog for the visually impaired, “Nate” was training at the Seeing Eye in Morristown when he was adopted by Lt. Ellicott in April of 2008. A gentle, docile, dog, “Blaze” as he was renamed by Lt. Ellicott, was so peaceful that he actually had to be taught how to bark. It was this calm, yet playful, demeanor that made him ideally suited for search & rescue work. Upon the completion of his initial training, K-9 Blaze became a certified search & rescue dog on October 19, 2008. Throughout his 8-year career with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, K-9 Blaze responded to, and assisted in the location of, over 40 missing juveniles, adults and seniors throughout Sussex County and the surrounding area. Sheriff Strada joins the men and women of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office in mourning the passing of K-9 Blaze and our thoughts are with Lt. Ellicott and his family.

Arrested: Christopher J. Fiorenza, age 25, of Vernon Township, NJ. < Back Vernon man arrested attempting to defraud drug test Arrested: Christopher J. Fiorenza, age 25, of Vernon Township, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, January 15, 2015, while assigned to the Sussex County Probation Department, Sheriff’s Officer Justin McCann was advised by probation staff that probationer Christopher Fiorenza was attempting to provide a fraudulent urine sample. Officer McCann responded to their location and, following a brief investigation, discovered Fiorenza to be in possession of a device commonly used to defraud court-ordered drug screens. Officer McCann immediately arrested Fiorenza and he was subsequently transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was charged with defrauding the administration of a drug test, a third degree crime. Fiorenza was issued a summons to appear in court at a future date and released on his own recognizance. Lieutenant Larry Beller and Sheriff’s Officer William Lunger assisted in the arrest.

Do you have information relating to a crime or criminal activity in the Sussex County, New Jersey area? Get a cash reward of up to $1,000 for your anonymous tip. Call our hotline or submit a tip online using the form below. Call 973.300.CRIME Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment (as opposed to conviction) of criminals. When a person contacts Crime Stoppers, he/she is assigned a confidential code number which is then used for identification going forward. At no time will anyone ask the tipster’s name. The tipster will use the code number in all subsequent contacts with Crime Stoppers. When he/she becomes eligible for a reward, the arrangements to receive it are also made through the use of the code number. The reward will be paid in cash. After submitting your tip, please write down you’re your code number and call 973-300-CRIME to see if your tip leads to a reward. Crime Stoppers Online Anonymous Tip Form Suspect First Name Suspect Last Name Suspect Nickname Sex Age Birthday Race Height Weight Hair Color Eye Color Next

Arrested: Edward D. Reilly, age 41, of Wantage Township, NJ. < Back Outstanding warrant leads to drug arrest in Sussex Borough Arrested: Edward D. Reilly, age 41, of Wantage Township, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, February 16, 2012, while assigned to fugitive apprehension duties in Wantage Township, sheriff’s detectives Mike Yanko and Matt Caine encountered Edward Reilly. Knowing him to be the subject of an outstanding Superior Court arrest warrant, detectives Yanko and Caine approached Reilly and placed him under arrest. Further investigation revealed Reilly to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine. Reilly was transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance in an amount of less than 1/2 ounce. Edward Reilly is currently lodged in the Keogh Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail with no 10% option.

Scott Haggerty, from the Bureau of Law Enforcement, was recently promoted to sergeant. < Back Sheriff’s Detective Corporal Promoted Scott Haggerty, from the Bureau of Law Enforcement, was recently promoted to sergeant. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the promotion of Sheriff’s Detective Corporal Scott Haggerty to sergeant in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement. A lifelong resident of Sussex County and a 1987 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Sergeant Haggerty began his law enforcement career in May 2003 when he was hired as a corrections officer by the Sussex County Sheriff’s Bureau of Corrections. In June of 2004, he was hired as a sheriff’s officer and assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transportation Unit of the Bureau of Law Enforcement. He remained in this assignment until September of 2006 when he was assigned to the sheriff’s Community Policing Unit. Since August of 2018, Sergeant Haggerty has been assigned to the sheriff’s Detective Bureau where his current duties include background investigations, criminal and civil warrant service and entries, as well as fugitive apprehension. A certified Field Training Officer (FTO), Sergeant Haggerty is also certified as a hazardous materials technician, a child safety seat technician, and a defensive driving instructor. Throughout his career, he has been a member of the sheriff’s Traffic Unit, the Sussex County Hazardous Material Team (HAZMAT), and the County Car Accident Reconstruction Team (CART), as well as the Sussex County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Incident Management Team. A life member of the Wantage Township Fire Department, Sergeant Haggerty is also a former fire chief of the department. Earlier this month, Sheriff Strada administered the oath of service to Sergeant Haggerty, congratulated him on his promotion, and wished him continued success in his career. Said the sheriff, “Throughout his career, Sergeant Haggerty has repeatedly displayed the qualities of leadership that are so vital to this position. We look forward to seeing him bring these qualities to his new role as a supervisor.” Sergeant Haggerty is a graduate of the Passaic County Police Academy Basic Corrections Officer Class and the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute (Police Academy) Basic Police Class. Pictured l to r: Sheriff Strada, Sgt. William Ficacci, and Sgt. Scott Haggerty. Pictured l to r: Sheriff Strada, Sgt. Scott Haggerty, Sgt. William Ficacci, Sgt. John Gray, Sgt. Michael Tidaback.

< Back Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Commissions the Sussex Technical School’s Graphic Arts Class to Design New Logo for Rescue Vehicle Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently called upon the students in the Sussex Technical School’s Graphic Design class to develop a new and modern Sheriff’s Office badge logo for their Polaris All Terrain Rescue Vehicle. Working closely with the Graphic Design teacher, Mr. Steven Styles, the class was able to design and submit multiple entries for Sheriff Strada’s review. Ms. Gabrielle Singer, a graduating Senior from the Sussex Technical School designed the winning submission. “This was a project that I felt was important to the local students as they were able to see their hard work used in a “real life” application” said Sheriff Strada. The Polaris UTV will be used by the Sussex County Sheriff’s office in the event of a rescue in areas of the county that are more difficult to access. Sheriff Strada was able to have the project completed just in time for the class to see the finished product. “I want to thank the students and Mr. Styles for working together with myself and the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office to create such a great logo” said Sheriff Strada. Pictured From left to right: Aidan Gagg, Courtney Breur, Gabrielle Singer, Kurt Hughes, Mr. Styles

Two separate sales are scheduled for December. < Back Upcoming sheriff's sales of assets Two separate sales are scheduled for December. Previous Next Docket #SSX -L-489-10 Tamara and Darrell Russian vs Alessi Moving and Storage Inc., Charles Alessandrini, Highlands Self Storage, LLC, Jonathan Brett (individually and trading as Highlands Self Storage), JFB Enterprises LLC On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., the following property will be sold at a public sale on the premises of D & E Service Center, 726 US Highway 206, Andover, NJ: 2001 Isuzu Box Truck VIN JALE5B14417902663 white in color Docket #FM 19-39-05 Richard Gannon vs Lauren Russell On Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Tuesday, January 8, 2013 Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., the following assets will be sold at a public sale on the premises of AA-1 Storage located at 155 Brooks Flat Rd, Ogdensburg, NJ: One 1998 Caterpillar 320B Excavator, Vin 4MR00432 One John Deere 450E Dozer, Vin # T0450EC742076 One 1998 Caterpillar 312B, Excavator Vin # 9HR02433 All items are sold in an ‘as is’ condition. Purchaser must pay purchase price at the time of sale in cash or certified check made payable to the Sussex County Sheriff and remove the items following the sale. The sheriff reserves the right to adjourn these sales; the foregoing scheduled dates are subject to change. For more information. contact the Civil Process Unit at 973.579.0850.

The officers spent 15 weeks at the Passaic County Police Academy. < Back Three sheriff’s corrections officers graduate academy with honors The officers spent 15 weeks at the Passaic County Police Academy. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the recent graduation of three sheriff’s corrections officers from the Passaic County Police Academy 45th Basic County Corrections class. The corrections officers spent 15 weeks receiving training and academic instruction in the following courses of study: the administration of justice, emergency medical technician, cardio pulmonary resuscitation, the civil and legal rights of inmates, New Jersey state and penal law, corrections practices and job performance. All three recruits, who excelled during their time in the academy with one receiving academic honors and the other two receiving athletic awards, are currently assigned to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. John Boeren —A 2003 graduate of Pope John High School and a lifelong Sussex County resident, Corrections Officer Boeren holds an associate’s degree in engineering technology from Penn State University. Officer Boeren enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 2009 and continues to serve in that capacity. While attending the police academy, Officer Boeren received the Academic Award for maintaining the highest test average in the class throughout the course of training. Richard Cullen —A 2007 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Corrections Officer Cullen is a lifelong resident of Sussex County. Officer Cullen holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Sussex County Community College as well as a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Felician College. While attending college, and in addition to being named to the Dean’s List three times for academic achievement, Officer Cullen also interned with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections. While attending the police academy, Officer Cullen received the PT Award for his athletic achievements at all levels of the physical training course. Jeffery Hilbert —A lifelong resident of Sussex County, Corrections Officer Hilbert is a 2010 graduate of Wallkill Valley Regional High School. Officer Hilbert holds an associate’s degree from Sussex County Community College and is currently attending Felician College. While attending the police academy, Officer Hilbert also received the PT Award for his athletic achievements at all levels of the physical training course. Sheriff Strada congratulates each of the new corrections officers and wishes them continued success in their law enforcement careers.

Arrested: Alexander Bellino, age 19, of Sparta, NJ. < Back Sheriff's detectives arrest man at motel in Sussex Borough Arrested: Alexander Bellino, age 19, of Sparta, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, April 7, 2011, sheriff’s detectives Mike Yanko and Richard Otte were in Sussex Borough attempting to locate Alexander Bellino, who was the subject of an outstanding Sussex County Superior Court warrant. Bellino was located at the Sussex Motel and a quantity of marijuana was found in his possession. He was taken into custody and additionally charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance in an amount of less than 1/2 ounce. Bellino is currently lodged in the Sussex County jail without bail.

Arrested: Shannon H. Foley, age 22, of Newton and Herbert W. Whitesell III, age 31, of Frankford Township, NJ. < Back Drug paraphernalia discovered on prisoner during transport Arrested: Shannon H. Foley, age 22, of Newton and Herbert W. Whitesell III, age 31, of Frankford Township, NJ. Previous Next On Friday, March 29, 2013, while assigned to fugitive transport duties, sheriff’s detectives Kieran McMorrow and William Lunger were assigned to pick up Shannon Foley and Herbert Whitesell from the New Jersey State Police barracks in Netcong and transport them to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. The New Jersey State Police had arrested both of them earlier that day. Foley was the subject of an outstanding Superior Court warrant and Whitesell was the subject of several municipal court warrants. Further investigation revealed Whitesell to be in the possession of several hypodermic syringes and a glass smoking pipe with cocaine residue. Whitesell and Foley were both transported to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility and lodged without incident. Herbert Whitesell was issued multiple summonses for possession of drug paraphernalia and issued a future court date to appear in Newton Municipal Court. He remains lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $6,377. Shannon Foley remains lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility without bail.

Recipients were Sergeant John Gray of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and New Jersey State Police Trooper Victor Cabrera-Bonilla. < Back Sheriff presents life saving award to sheriff’s officer and state trooper Recipients were Sergeant John Gray of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and New Jersey State Police Trooper Victor Cabrera-Bonilla. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada presented a life saving award to Sergeant John Gray of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and New Jersey State Police Trooper Victor Cabrera-Bonilla in recognition of their response to a medical call in Sussex County. Both officers quickly responded to the call and performed “two-man CPR” while also utilizing an automated external defibrillator AED unit as the victim was in full cardiac arrest. Both Trooper Cabrera-Bonilla and Sergeant Gray continued to work together, established a heartbeat and the victim began to breathe. The victim was transported by the local first aid squad for additional medical attention and the victim survived the incident. Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada said, “The lifesaving actions of Sergeant Gray and Trooper Cabrera-Bonilla reflect the highest standards of service to the community and their performance is an example of true professionalism.” Present at the ceremony were officers of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office along with New Jersey State Police Station Commander Lieutenant Matt Avenatti of the Troop B Sussex Barracks. Lieutenant Avenatti praised the members of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office by noting that because of the seamless relationship between the two law enforcement agencies, especially as they perform training sessions together, this enabled the two officers to work effectively. Lieutenant Avenatti further stated, “Agencies that train together, respond better together for the citizens of Sussex County.” Pictured left to right: Lieutenant Matt Avenatti, Trooper Cabrera-Bonilla, Sergeant Gray and Sheriff Strada.

A total of five parcels will be sold at public sale on May 15, 2013 < Back Upcoming foreclosure involving multiple parcels A total of five parcels will be sold at public sale on May 15, 2013 Previous Next Docket #F -000818-12 The Provident Bank vs. Grinnell Holding Co., Inc., et al. Plaintiff Attorney: Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, (732) 636-8000 [This sale was previously scheduled to take place April 17 and then May 1, 2013.] The Sussex County Sheriff will sell at public sale on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. the following described properties which will will be sold separately in the following five parcels: PARCEL 1 Sold to Plaintiff Municipality: Township of Hampton County and State: Sussex, NJ Property Location: 436 Longview Dr., Hampton, NJ Tax Lot and Block Numbers: Lot 18, Block 2902 Dimensions: Approx. .8264 acres PARCEL 2 Sold to Plaintiff Municipality: Township of Sparta County and State: Sussex, NJ Property Location: 734 Houses Corner Rd., Sparta, NJ Tax Lot and Block Numbers: Lot 60, Block 26 Dimensions: Approx. .92 acres PARCEL 3 Sold to Plaintiff Municipality: Township of Sparta County and State: Sussex, NJ Property Location: West Mountain Rd., Sparta, NJ Tax Lot and Block Numbers: Lot 4.08, Block 20 Dimensions: Approx. 25.08 acres Municipality: Township of Sparta County and State: Sussex, NJ Property Location: Davis Rd., Sparta, NJ Tax Lot and Block Numbers: Lot 3, Block 20 Dimensions: Approx. 61.98 acres Municipality: Township of Sparta County and State: Sussex, NJ Property Location: 75 Davis Rd., Sparta, NJ Tax Lot and Block Numbers: Lot 30, Block 20 Dimensions: Approx. 25.4 acres Municipality: Township of Sparta County and State: Sussex, NJ Property Location: West Mountain Rd., Sparta, NJ Tax Lot and Block Numbers: Lot 4.09, Block 20 Dimensions: Approx. 14.5 acres Municipality: Township of Hardyston County and State: Sussex, NJ Property Location: Davis Rd. Rear, Hardyston, NJ Tax Lot and Block Numbers: Lot 16, Block 77 Dimensions: Approx. 3.15 acres PARCEL 4 Sold to 3rd party purchaser–Robert Nicholson–$1,000,000.00 Municipality: Township of Sparta County and State: Sussex, NJ Property Location: 160 Houses Corner Rd., Sparta, NJ Tax Lot and Block Numbers: Lot 13, Block 33 Dimensions: Approx. 54.2 acres Municipality: Township of Sparta County and State: Sussex, NJ Property Location: Houses Corner Rd., Sparta, NJ Tax Lot and Block Numbers: Lot 52, Block 35 Dimensions: Approx. 80.14 acres PARCEL 5 Sold to Plaintiff Municipality: Township of Sparta County and State: Sussex, NJ Property Location: 10 Park Lake Rd., Sparta, NJ Tax Lot and Block Numbers: Lot 5, Block 26.05 Dimensions: Approx. 1.34 acres Full legal descriptions of the properties can be found in the office of the Register of Deeds of Sussex County. The approximate amount of the decree sought to be satisfied by this sale is $3,999,323.27 in addition to the interest, sheriff’s fees and advertising costs. The successful bidder at the sale is required to post a deposit of 20% of the total bid price in cash or certified check immediately following the sale. The sheriff reserves the right to adjourn these sales; the foregoing scheduled date is subject to change. For more information, contact the Civil Process Unit at 973.579.0850.