Steven Middleton said his bosses in New Brunswick bypassed him for promotions and made racial comments

A former New Brunswick police officer has settled his racial discrimination lawsuit against the city for $172,000, his lawyer confirmed. 

Former New Brunswick police officer Steven Middleton settled his racial discrimination lawsuit against the city for $172,000 earlier this week. (Photo courtesy NewBrunswickToday.com) 

Steven Middleton, who left the force in 2013 and is now a teacher in Asbury Park, agreed to the settlement Wednesday before the second day of the trial was to begin.

Middleton alleged he was denied promotions because he was black and that his bosses used racial slurs in his presence. 

In one instance, Midddleton was passed over in his quest to become a lieutenant while a sergeant was promoted directly to captain. Middleton also said he was given less desirable assignments than white officers.

Middleton worked for the department for 17 years. He was a lieutenant when he left in 2013, months after filing the suit.

The settlement won't cover Middleton's attorney's fees. That request has yet to be resolved, his attorney Donald Burke said. 

New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill said the settlement was made to be fiscally responsible.

"While I was not in favor of the settlement, I understand the insurance fund's decision to settle the matter for economic reasons" Cahill said in a statement.  "The cost of trying this case and the probable appeal that would ensue, regardless of the outcome, would put the cost of defense far in excess of the amount to settle the case."

The settlement was first reported by NewBrunswickToday.com on Wedneday.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Pastor Manuel Mora, 52, of the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick, was arrested Friday

A pastor at the All Nations Church in New Brunswick was arrested Friday for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a teenage girl, according to authorities. 

Pastor Manuel Mora, 52, of the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child in the third degree and criminal sexual contact, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey said in a release. 

No further details were made available about the pastor's alleged relationship with the 17-year-old. Authorities only said their investigation found the two "had ongoing sexual contact."

Mora is currently being held in county jail, the release said. 

County and local authorities are investigating. Anyone with information can call.  (732) 745-4194.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at 732-372-2078 or at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Sammy Arroyo, 42, accused of double-dipping

A veteran fire official is accused of charging the Middlesex County Fire Academy for hours worked as an instructor during periods when he was also on the clock for the city of Perth Amboy, the county prosecutor's office and Perth Amboy police said.

Sammy Arroyo, 42, a battalion chief with the Perth Amboy fire department and a city employee for 19 years, allegedly double-dipped periodically between March 2016 and May. An investigation was launched when city officials discovered the theft and contacted police, the prosecutor's office said.

Arroyo faces charges of theft by unlawful taking and computer theft and was released after surrendering to police. Arroyo has been suspended without pay.  

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.  

The students want to, "prevent children from dropping out of school when they can't finish their homework in the dark."

A group of high school students from The Lawrenceville School held fundraisers to buy 200 solar flashlights that they recently donated to storm-devastated Puerto Rico.

Their student group is called Light for the Night.

Hurricane Maria hit the Caribbean island in September, ripping apart its fragile infrastructure, and leaving many without electricity.

Darin Khan, the president of the Light for the Night, started the fundraisers because he understands the importance of kids having electricity and lights in order to do homework at night.

The Plainsboro resident hopes to, "prevent children from dropping out of school when they can't finish their homework in the dark."

Khan founded the club in 2015 following a trip to India where he witnessed the poor situations that kids without access to electricity endure. His aim is to provide sustainable energy to children living in such areas, he said.

Khan recalled Hurricane Sandy's havoc on New Jersey five years ago as well.

It's why he made the Light for the Night a student-run club official at the high school this year, and the local community has applauded its president and other club members for their efforts.

On Nov. 2, Middlesex County Sheriff Mildred S. Scott honored them with junior sheriff badges.

"I am truly honored that our efforts have been recognized by the community, but there is still a lot of work to be done," Khan said.

The Middlesex County Sheriff's Department helped the student send the lights to Puerto Rico.

The club also also has a GoFundMe campaign, called Solar Lanterns for Children

Follow NJ.com on Twitter @njdotcom. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Animals throughout the Garden State wait for someone to take them home.

The Food and Drug Administration says it has received about 68 reports of pet illnesses, and even deaths, related to bone treats.

Some of the reports involved more than one dog; a total of about 90 animals have been affected. About 15 dogs have died of the illnesses, the agency said.

CBS News reported these treats differ from uncooked, butcher-type bones because they are processed and packaged for sale as dog treats. The products may be dried through a smoking process or by baking, and may contain other ingredients such as preservatives, seasonings or smoke flavorings.

Different types of bone treats for dogs, including treats described as "Ham Bones," "Pork Femur Bones," "Rib Bones," and "Smokey Knuckle Bones," were listed in the illness reports.

"Giving your dog a bone treat might lead to an unexpected trip to your veterinarian, a possible emergency surgery, or even death for your pet," said Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian in the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA.

Symptoms reported to FDA by owners and veterinarians in dogs that have eaten bone treats have included:

• Gastrointestinal obstruction (blockage in the digestive tract)
• Choking
• Cuts and wounds in the mouth or on the tonsils
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bleeding from the rectum

Other types of commercially-produced pet treats have been linked to illnesses in the past. Jerky treats made in China were pulled from store shelves in 2015 after reports of thousands of dogs and cats getting sick. Several people who handled the products got sick as well.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

The company's former Chief Revenue Officer also will oversee sales in Advance Local's Staten Island and Lehigh Valley markets.

Steve Alessi, a media executive with deep ties to New Jersey, has been named president of NJ Advance Media.

Alessi most recently had been the company's Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to that position at NJ Advance Media -- a company that provides marketing solutions and content for NJ.com and its affiliated newspapers -- Alessi was VP, Advertising and Operations, at The Star-Ledger.

"It's an exciting time for credible, long-standing companies like NJ Advance Media to continue to innovate, educate and serve our local communities," Alessi said. 

"We are leading the New Jersey market in content consumption, data analytics and consultative marketing solutions. But there are so many opportunities out there, and we look forward to working even harder to better serve our consumer and advertiser communities." 

Alessi also will oversee three other Advance markets, Staten Island, the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia. 

Matt Kraner, NJ Advance Media's president since the launch of the company in 2014, was promoted to a new role with Advance Local, NJ Advance Media's parent company, in New York. Advance Local announced a restructuring this week that included the Kraner and Alessi promotions.

As of Jan. 1, 2018, Advance Local will include the operations of Advance Digital and Advance Central Services. Kraner will serve Chief Operating Officer for Markets. In addition to New Jersey, Staten Island and the Lehigh Valley, Kraner will oversee local markets in Michigan, Cleveland, Portland, Alabama and New Orleans, among others. 

"Steve has been an absolutely key leader in shaping NJ Advance Media into the success it is today, including driving top-tier revenue growth," Kraner said. "Being a long-time New Jersey resident, Steve has many contacts and a great feel for the state. He is true Jersey.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Steve as NJ Advance Media keeps reaching new heights."

Alessi lives in Cream Ridge with his wife, Jennifer, son Jake and daughter Morgan. Alessi is an engineering graduate from Villanova University who entered the media industry with Advertising.com over 18 years ago. He also held media roles at American Greetings and Philadelphia Media Group prior to joining Advance Publications. 

The 44-year-old recently moved to Linden from New York

The 44-year-old woman struck and killed as she and a man crossed the street Friday morning in Linden has been identified by police.

Sayoko Rosello died at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway after being hit by a 2010 Mercury Milan driven by a 35-year-old Edison man, Linden police said Monday afternoon. 

A 54-year-old Linden man walking with her is in critical condition at University Hospital in Newark.

The couple was struck at 6:30 a.m. near the intersection of St. Georges Avenue and DeWitt Street. Rosello and the man recently moved to Linden from New York, according to police. 

"It is a terrible tragedy to lose a loved one, especially so close to the holidays," said police Chief Jonathan Parham. "Our prayers are with the victims and their families."

The crash remains under investigation.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Brooke Costanzo, 16, was an NJ.com first-team girl's lacrosse player at Saddle Brook High School. She was killed in a car crash Sunday night in South Brunswick, police said.

A Saddle Brook teenager died in a single-car crash in South Brunswick Sunday night, police said.

The girl was driving a 2012 Honda Pilot eastbound on Fresh Ponds Road near Selma Drive when she left the roadway at a curve and crashed into a tree, South Brunswick police said in a statement.  

Police and members of the Monmouth Junction Fire Department responded to the crash at 6:31 p.m. Firefighters were able to remove the teenager from the vehicle after 30 minutes, police said. She was then taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she died at 6 a.m. Monday, police said.

No passengers were in the vehicle, police said.

South Brunswick police did not identify the driver.

Saddle Brook police Chief Robert Kugler said the victim was 16-year-old Brooke Costanzo, a junior at Saddle Brook High School.

"We express our deepest sympathies and prayers to the family and will do whatever we can as a community to support and comfort them at this most tragic time," Kugler said in an email.

The school will hold a candlelight vigil in the parking lot on Mayhill Street from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

An online fundraiser has raised more than $20,000 for the family as of Monday night.

Costanzo played lacrosse, volleyball and was a cheerleader.

She was honored by NJ Advance Media as a first-team girl's lacrosse player in the Central Division of the American Conference. Saddle Brook finished 10^th in the conference with an overall record of 8-9.

As news of the death of Costanzo spread through the Bergen County town of nearly 14,000, many people took to social media to offer their condolences to the family.  

The best thing i can say about saddle brook is that when something crazy goes down, We all come together as one. It's beautiful [?].

-- [?] (@TajiaSwindell) December 4, 2017

The community of Saddle Brook grieves and aches today
Whether you werent a close friend or you were a best friend the entire town is shook to its core and its the worst feeling you can possibly experience
rest in peace brooke you will be missed by all

-- (c)iolino (@BCiolino99) December 4, 2017

Our community is in mourning. Several friends/church members are also grieving the loss of loved ones. I don't have answers. All I have is love, prayers, sharing in your pain and grief, and words of hope and comfort. I'm here to listen and walk with you. #SaddleBrook

-- Christopher B. Wolf (@ChristophBWolf) December 5, 2017

Condolences to the Saddle Brook School and Community, may she rest easily. @SBHSFootball_

-- Wallington Football (@PanthersWhs) December 5, 2017

The crash remains under investigation by the South Brunswick Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact South Brunswick police Traffic Safety Officer Michael Leung at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7430.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A man entered the store, pointed a knife at an employee and demanded money, police said.

Police are investigating an armed robbery at a dry cleaner business in South Brunswick Monday night. 

Police said the incident happened at 6:10 p.m. at the Metro II Cleaners on Georges Road. 

A man entered the store, pointed a knife at an employee and demanded money, according to police. 

He then ran away on Georges Road. Police did not say how much money he allegedly stole. 

Police asked anyone with information to contact them at 732-329-4646.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Rick King of Newark faces life without parole for the 2015 slaying in Irvington

A 33-year-old Newark man was convicted Monday of fatally shooting a liquor store employee who planned to testify against him for a previous robbery at the Irvington business.

Rick KingEssex County Prosecutor's Office 

Rick King faces life without parole after being convicted of murder, witness tampering, armed robbery, aggravated assault on a police officer and weapons offenses, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. The trial lasted two months. 

King walked into Roseway Liquors on the 700 block of Lyons Avenue, forced Amit Patel to the floor and shot him once in the head. 

The 28-year-old Edison resident died instantly, authorities said. The shooting took place just after 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2015.

After Patel's death, prosecutors moved to make his pre-trial statements to police officers admissible in court. 

Prosecutors said that King had claimed after Patel's death that he no longer had to worry about the murder charge. Law enforcement officers searching King's phone after the shooting found he had looked up information about Patel and the shooting, authorities said.

2 arrested in Irvington slaying

Prosecutors also said cameras on the streets near the liquor store showed a man wearing the same clothes as King was seen wearing that day entering and fleeing the store around time of the shooting.

King previously robbed the liquor store when Patel, the son of the owner, was working on Halloween in 2013.

King, who has five prior felony convictions, will be sentenced Jan. 19.

"The prosecution would like to commend the jurors for their unwavering focus during this long trial,'' Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Mira Ohm said. "Their verdict brings some measure of justice to the Patel family.''

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Take a look at the Player, Coach and Team of the Year in every conference.

GIRLS SOCCER SEASON IN REVIEW, 2017

• Erin Keefe of Ridge is the NJ.com Player of the Year

• Wall is the NJ.com Team of the Year

• Kim Maurer of Allentown is the NJ.com Coach of the Year

ALL-STATE TEAMS

• All-State 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams

• All-Group 4

• All-Group 3

• All-Group 2

• All-Group 1

• All-Non-Public

FINAL RANKINGS

• The NJ.com Top 50

• Group and conference rankings

CONFERENCE REVIEWS

• Claudia Dipasupil of Northern Highlands is the Big North Conference Player of the Year

• Hailey Gutowski of Cinnaminson is the Burlington County Scholastic League Player of the Year

• Gabi Johnson of Oakcrest is the Cape-Atlantic League Player of the Year

• Sophia Schwab of Haddonfield is the Colonial Conference Player of the Year

• Gianna Pittaro of Steinert is the Colonial Valley Conference Player of the Year

• Lauren Krinsky of East Brunswick is the Greater Middlesex Conference Player of the Year

• Skyler Matusz of Kearny is the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic League Player of the Year

• Claire Perez of Park Ridge is the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference Player of the Year

• Kayleigh Furth of Newton is the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Year

• Jordynn Stallard of Washington Township is the Olympic Conference Player of the Year

• Jada and Jasmine Colbert of Freehold Township are the Shore Conference Players of the Year

• Erin Keefe of Ridge is the Skyland Conference Player of the Year

• Natalie Nevins of West Orange is the Super Essex Conference Player of the Year

• Annie Sanker of Pitman is the Tri-County Conference Player of the Year

• Grace Elliott of Westfield is the Union County Conference Player of the Year

Brandon Gould may be reached at bgould@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrandonGouldHS. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.

The Cash4Life ticket expires on Friday

Two weeks after putting out a call for the holder of a soon-to-expire unclaimed $1 million ticket to step forward, lottery officials made one last plea Tuesday morning. 

The second-prize Cash4Life ticket sold in New Jersey will be worthless if it's not claimed in the next three days. It expires when the New Jersey Lottery's offices close for the weekend at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Sold at the Joyce Kilmer along the New Jersey Turnpike in East Brunswick last year, the lucky ticket matched five numbers but not the Cash Ball for the Dec. 8, 2016 drawing.

The service area is located at milepost 78.7 on the northbound side of the toll road.

$4M Mega Millions ticket sold at Quick Chek

The ticket can be validated at any lottery retailer. Once validated, the retailer will provide the ticket holder with a validation slip and completed claim form that must be brought to lottery headquarters in Lawrence.

The winning numbers for the drawing were  8, 28, 29, 49 and 57. The Cash Ball, which the $1 million ticket didn't contain, was: 3.

"We encourage all of our New Jersey Lottery players to do a thorough search of their nooks and crannies at home and elsewhere because we want to make a Cash4Life player a jackpot winner," New Jersey Lottery executive director Carole Hedinger said in a statement.

Second-prize Cash4Life tickets are worth either $1 million or $1,000 a week for the remainder of the winner's life, though that election is made at the time of the purchase. 

Cash4Life tickets are sold in New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. Drawing are held on Monday and Thursday nights.

The odds of a $2 ticket matching five numbers and winning $1 million are 7,282,016 to 1. It's a 21,846,048 to 1 shot to hit the jackpot -- $1,000 a day for life or the cash option of $7 million.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Police have theorized that Brooke Costanzo exited a nearby highway and somehow ended up on a dimly lit road.

The family of a popular high school junior who died Monday from injuries she suffered in a one-vehicle accident are trying to piece together how the 16-year-old, who absconded from the family's Saddle Brook home Sunday night in her mother's SUV, ended up crashing nearly 50 miles away.

Brooke Costanzo, 16, died about 6 a.m. Monday in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, about 12 hours after she lost control of the Honda Pilot she was driving and struck a tree on Fresh Pond Road in South Brunswick. 

The Saddle Brook High School junior only held a learner's permit, and had taken the car without permission.

"We can't even fathom how this could have happened," said her uncle, Vincent Costanzo of Morristown.

Brooke Costanza in an undated photoPhoto courtesy of Costanzo family 

Police have theorized that Brooke Costanzo exited a nearby highway and somehow ended up on the dimly lit road, he said.

"It's a long country road and it bears to the right really sharp," the uncle said.

It took first-responders about 40 minutes to free the teenager from the SUV. Vincent Costanzo said police officers were unable to find his niece's phone in the wreck.

He said family members are hopeful text messages or emails will provide clues as to why she was in Middlesex County.

"They did everything they could to find the phone," her uncle said. "We're hoping they do find it. Without out, we're stuck with a big mystery."

South Brunswick police have not returned calls seeking information about the crash.

Saddle Brook Mayor Robert White described Brooke Costanzo, a cheerleading coach and athlete, as "very, very intelligent and bubbly kind of person - curious, vivacious and precocious."

Brooke Costanzo in an undated photoPhoto courtesy of the Costanzo family 

"It's a terrible loss," said schools Superintendent Anthony Riscica. "She was very well-known, very popular."

Riscica has worked with the girl's mother, Janine DiGirolamo Costanzo, who is involved in the district's competitive cheerleading program.

In addition to her duties as a cheerleader, the teen coached pee-wee cheerleading and was a talented lacrosse and volleyball player. She also helped in the district's before-care and after-care programs, Riscica said.

White, who met the family while he worked for the police department, said she often babysat children in the community.

"She had this mothering instinct and when she saw babies she just melted," said her uncle, Vincent Costanzo. "She was a good kid with a heart of gold."

"Tough shell on the outside, a soft little girl on the inside," he said.

Counselors will be available this week at the high school for anyone who "needs to talk with someone," the superintendent said.

By Tuesday morning, a GoFundMe page set up to help the family had raised nearly $31,000.

A candlelight vigil in the teen's memory will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Saddle Brook High School, 355 Mayhill St., according to school officials. 

The teen's death also marks the second time in six years the Costanzo family is mourning the loss of a loved one killed in an accident.

Brooke's father, Timothy Costanzo, died in a motorcycle crash in 2011.

The 51-year-old father of three was killed when his motorcycle struck a dip in the road and he was thrown into a concrete divider.

His daughter was just 10 years old. 

Brooke Costanzo with her father, Timothy, who would later die in a motorcycle crash when Brooke was just 10 years old. Photo courtesy of Vincent Costanzo 

"It was a devastating loss and a difficult time for the community," White said Tuesday. "I can't imagine what the family is going through now."

In addition to her mother, the teen is survived by twin sisters Samantha and Paige, who are students at the University of Rhode Island.

The Aloia Funeral Home in Garfield is handling funeral arrangements, which were expected to be complete by Tuesday afternoon.

Brooke Costanzo with her mother Janine and twin sisters Paige and Samantha. Photo courtesy of Vincent Costanzo 

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A 44-year-old Perth Amboy man being man being arrested in Jersey City on a Family Court warrant Saturday had PCP charges tacked on following a search, officials said.

JERSEY CITY -- A 44-year-old Perth Amboy man being man being arrested in Jersey City on a Family Court warrant Saturday had PCP charges tacked on following a search, officials said.

Tyrone L. Garner, of Harned Street, is charged with possession, possession with intent to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of School 14, located at 153 Union St., the criminal complaint says.

Police said that while arresting Garner, they found he had a bottle containing suspected PCP, and two empty bottles containing suspected PCP residue, the complaint says.

Garner made his first appearance on the charges yesterday in Criminal Justice Reform Court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.

At the hearing, he was ordered released with conditions of supervision pending trial. But the judge said there was a warrant for his arrest for failing to pay more than $2,000 in child support and he would have to address that before being released. 

Find out who landed on 1st, 2nd and 3rd Team All-State.

Michael Knight, 39, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault as part of a plea deal

A Newark man has admitted to severely beating a Rutgers student and trying to rape her last year, authorities said. 

Michael P. Knight, 39 Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office 

Michael Knight, 39, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault Tuesday in exchange for a 22-year prison sentence as part of a plea deal, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey said in a release.

Knight turned himself in after authorities released his mugshot announcing charges in the May 2016 incident in New Brunswick.

Authorities originally charged Knight with aggravated assault, attempted aggravated assault, aggravated sexual contact, kidnapping, making terroristic threats and endangering an injured victim. 

Knight will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole, according to the release. He will also have to serve a lifetime on probation and register under Megan's Law.

Superior Court Judge Joseph A. Paone will sentence Knight on March 5, 2018.    

Craig McCarthy may be reached at 732-372-2078 or at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

The crash caused a transformer fire and knocked out power

The ramp from Route 1 south to Route 18 north remains closed early Wednesday following a motor vehicle crash late Tuesday, New Brunswick police said.

A transformer caught fire after the crash, briefly knocking out power in surrounding neighborhoods, officials said. 

Traffic still is being detoured in the area as of 6:20 a.m., police said.

The crash was reported around 10:24 p.m. Tuesday. 

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

When it's all said and done, the best 50 teams in New Jersey

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A 44-year-old Elizabeth man was struck and killed in Monroe last week

Authorities are offering a reward as they try to find a driver who fled after striking and killing a man in Middlesex County last week.

Jose Cedillo, 44, of Elizabeth was found lying next to his 2017 Nissan Titan pickup after he was hit around 4:50 a.m. on Nov. 30, the county prosecutor's office said. 

Cops ID 69-year-old woman killed by hit-and-run driver

Cedillo was struck near the corner of Applegarth Road and Forsgate Drive in Monroe.

It's unclear why Cedillo got out of his truck. A passerby saw Cedillo on the ground and called police. 

Tip information can be provided anonymously by calling 800-939-9600 or submitted online at www.middlesextips.com. Tips may also be sent by text messaging 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword: "midtip" followed by the tip information. 

Anyone who provides information will be given a unique numerical code which allows them to communicate with the program and collect a reward should their information lead to an arrest. All reward amounts are established by Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.