Author: Web Site Administrator

The Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) is warning residents about an ongoing phone scam in which scammers impersonate law enforcement and falsely claim that the person has an arrest warrant.

Scammers inform victims that they missed jury duty or failed to appear for a court date and must pay fines immediately to avoid arrest. The fraudsters even go so far as to spoof official law enforcement phone numbers, use real names of officials, and send fake warrant documents with the victim’s name. It is crucial to understand that these calls are attempts to steal money from victims.

WHEN IN DOUBT, HANG UP! Law enforcement agencies will NEVER request payment over the phone to avoid arrest, cancel a warrant, or make threats if action is not taken. We will also never request payment in the form of gift cards, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency. If you receive a call making such requests, refuse and hang up. (No report is necessary.) If you fall victim to these scams or have already, please contact your local law enforcement agency to file a police report.

Sgt. Vazquez along with the bus driver and bus aide were able to remove all eight children from the bus safely and avoiding any serious injuries. Sgt. Vazquez’s actions helped to avoid a major tragedy.

Sgt Vazquez along with the bus driver and bus aide were able to remove all eight children from the bus safely and avoiding any serious injuries. Sgt. Vazquez’s actions helped to avoid a major tragedy.

News12 Coverage | CBS News Coverage

Sheriff Peter Corvelli and Undersheriffs Manata and Caparruva (not pictured) congratulated Sheriff’s Officer James Patania on being the recipient of the Academic Achievement Award for the 129^th session of the John H. Stamler Police Academy this past December. 

Officer Patania scored a final grade point average of 96.3% placing him at the top of his class.  His award will be proudly displayed in the Sheriff’s Office along with the 15 previous recipients of this prestigious award. 

Union County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Rhyner and Lenihan, detailed as members of the U.S. Marshals’ Fugitive Task Force, along with the members of the Sheriff’s Fugitive Investigations Unit, executed an arrest at 52B Garden Drive in Roselle, resulting in the apprehension of Tywon Walker. The arrest took place following a warrant issued out of North Carolina for Walker’s possession of a weapon by a felon.

Upon entering the Roselle residence, law enforcement officials observed a stolen AR-15 type assault rifle, equipped with a 60-round drum magazine, hidden in a closet. Detectives Lenihan and Rhyner immediately contacted the Union County Prosecutor’s Office to obtain a search warrant for the apartment. The resulting search of the residence revealed a .32 caliber Harrington & Richardson revolver.  

Walker was taken into custody without incident and has been charged as a fugitive from justice, receiving stolen property, possession of a prohibited weapon (sawed-off rifle), unlawful possession of an assault rifle, unlawful possession with a prior conviction, and certain persons not to have weapons. He has also been charged with a homicide by the Winston-Salem Police Department in North Carolina.

The Marshals’ Fugitive Task Force and the Union County Sherriff’s Office remains committed to bringing fugitives to justice and safeguarding public well-being.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners stands in solidarity with the nation of Israel, denouncing the recent attacks by the Hamas terrorist organization. These distressing events highlight the urgent need for lasting solutions that ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their background.

While Union County currently faces no immediate threats, the Union County Board of County Commissioners, Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, in collaboration with community members of faith, are taking a proactive approach and have collaborated to enhance security around houses of worship in response to the ongoing events in the Middle East.

“Our commitment to creating an inclusive and unified community remains firm during these turbulent times,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Our number one priority is the safety of our residents and we remain dedicated to providing a secure and welcoming environment for all community members. We pray for a swift and equitable resolution to the conflict, one that brings enduring peace and stability to the region, benefiting both Israelis and Palestinians.”

“A dedicated team of officers will be offering additional security for houses of worship throughout Union County as an extra sense of peace for those who gather to worship, ensuring that they can do so without fear,” said Sheriff Peter Corvelli. “As the Sheriff of Union County, it is my duty to safeguard all of our residents, and this added layer of protection emphasizes our promise to that mission.”

The Union County Board of County Commissioners continue to share their thoughts and prayers to the people in the regions of both Israelis and Palestinians, as well as to all the victims and their families during this devastating time.

Poor choices on anti-theft controls by Hyundai/Kia have made many of their vehicles easy to steal – a failure that has led to a surge of auto thefts and public safety issues. Protect your vehicle and help us curb auto theft in New Jersey.

On August 22, 2023, members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office Family Violence Unit, in collaboration with the US Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force, conducted an investigation to locate Ernesto Martinez, who was wanted by the Fulton County, Georgia police department for possession of a weapon and trafficking illegal narcotics, including heroin.

Martinez was found as a passenger in a vehicle driven by Nicole Salazar Hurtado in Roselle Park, NJ. The officers tried to stop the vehicle, but Hurtado ignored the emergency lights and sirens, initiating a vehicle pursuit. Eventually, Hurtado’s vehicle came to a stop, and Martinez fled on foot. Martinez was captured shortly after a short distance from the vehicle.

Inside the vehicle, officers found an untraceable assault rifle, also known as a “ghost gun,” along with a fully loaded high-capacity magazine.

Martinez was charged with the following: Fugitive from Justice, Resisting by Flight, Unlawful Possession of an Assault Weapon, Prohibited Weapon – Unserialized Firearm, and Prohibited Large Capacity Magazine.

Hurtado was charged with eluding by motor vehicle, unlawful possession of an assault weapon, prohibited weapon (unserialized firearm), and prohibited large capacity magazine.

Both Martinez and Hurtado were committed to Union County Jail.

Sheriff Peter Corvelli was on hand to direct the return of Everoy L. Morrison to Union County from Maryland, where he stands accused of two counts of first-degree murder and numerous weapons offenses in the murders of 45-year-old Keisha Morrison and her 9-year-old daughter Kelsey Morrison of Roselle.

Members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Investigations Unit worked with Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and his staff to extradite Morrison from the Baltimore County Detention Center in Maryland where he has been held since his arrest.

These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Union County Sheriff’s K9 Unit is saddened to announce the passing of retired K9 Sam on June 5, 2023. K9 Sam was born in the Netherlands on April 7, 2014, and began his career with the Union County Sheriff’s Office on March 17, 2016. He was dual trained in patrol work and narcotics detection. K9 Sam retired from the Sheriff’s Office in July 2020. We want to offer our condolences to Sergeant Current for her loss.

Sgt. Anastasatos recently presented Sheriff Corveilli with a bail bond from 1792. This historical document was signed by Sheriff Benjamin Williamson of the Borough of Elizabeth, prior to the 1857 creation of Union County. 

Sgt. Anastasatos was contacted by Mr. Dewayne Bennet of Liberty, South Carolina, who seized the bail bond through an estate.  Mr. Bennet expressed a desire to return this priceless artifact to, “The Sheriff’s Office of which it came from after 231 years.” Sgt. Anastasatos worked with fellow history buff Mr. Bennett to have the document shipped home to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.  After confirming the legitimacy of the document through the Library of Congress, Sgt. Anastasatos delivered the bail bond to me where it will be proudly displayed among other important historical items highlighting the history of the Sheriff’s Office.

For a frame of reference here are some fun facts about the United States in 1792:

• President George Washington was unanimously elected to his second term
• The Coinage Act was signed creating the U.S. Mint
• Kentucky becomes the 15^th U.S. State
• The Post Office Department was created
• The first presidential veto is used by President George Washington