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LIHEAP Heating Grants

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LIHEAP grants help low-income families heat their homes despite financial hurdles.

Lawmaker Turns Himself In

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J.P. Miranda turns himself in to authorities. He's accused of funneling a public job, and monies to his sister.

Navy Yard Reaches Milestone

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The Philadelphia Navy Yard has reached a significant milestone in its transition into a business campus.

More new companies — a total of 22 — and amenities were added to the Navy Yard last year than in any other year, according to the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp., which oversees the development of the 1,100-acre property. The activity brought the tally of companies located at the former Naval base to 143 with a total of 11,000 employees.

GlaxoSmithKline ZSX Medical, a medical device firm, Graboyes Commercial Window Co. were some of the companies that moved to the South Philadelphia site last year, and those moves and other activity have meant the Navy Yard is finally coming into its own. Read more about this story on PBJ.com

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Can't Get Through? Vent on Twitter

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Fed-up consumers, armed with questions and concerns about their new health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, are flocking to social media websites to seek answers and vent their frustrations.

For some, it's because they can't get through on the phone. For others, it's a way of getting attention right away before trying phones or email.

This digital equivalent of line-jumping appears to be working.

A week ago, New Jersey writer Jen A. Miller sent a tweet asking:

Anyone else having problems with the @horizonbcbsnj site? I'd LIKE to pay my bill, but they don't seem to want to take my $$.

2014 Jen A. Miller (@byJenAMiller) January 23, 2014

A representative of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield replied the following day and asked for more information.

@byJenAMiller We'd like to help. Email SocialMedia@HorizonBlue.com w your ID#, contact info and issue.We'll have someone call you to assist.

2014 Horizon BCBSNJ (@HorizonBCBSNJ) January 24, 2014

"After an email exchange, HorizonBCBSNJ called and figured out that a 2018glitch' delayed the mailing of the February bills," Miller told me in an email. "I ended up paying over the phone."

Miller said she turned to Twitter first because the last time she had an issue with Horizon 2014 with her website login 2014 "it took 40 minutes and two calls (including the part where the first person I talked to gave me the wrong number to call)."

"So when I had this issue, I tried Twitter first."

Thomas Vincz, a spokesman for Horizon, wrote that the insurer has been deluged with new enrollees. More than half of its enrollment from HealthCare.gov, which is handling sign-ups for New Jersey, came between Dec. 15 and Dec. 24. "This crunch required intensive work in subsequent days and weeks to address many back end issues with enrollment verification and payment processing," he wrote.

Horizon extended its hours, tripled its customer service staff and delayed payment deadlines, and things are returning to normal, Vincz said. "But we're maintaining higher levels of customer service staffing to better assist our members during this busy time."

The slew of health insurance complaints has drawn the attention of the Chicago Tribune and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Companies across the country are feeling the heat. This from Michigan:

@mikecampau We're sorry to hear your frustration & would like to help. Could you pls email your question to us at membersupport@bcbsm.com?

2014 BCBSM (@BCBSM) January 27, 2014

And this from Illinois:

@sds52 We know the hold time is lengthy and we're sorry- is there something we can answer for you?

2014 BCBSIL (@BCBSIL) January 27, 2014

@faramir22 We know this has been frustrating- we see your call to customer service and that representative is working on it for you.

2014 BCBSIL (@BCBSIL) January 27, 2014

Among companies receiving the most scorn is Anthem Blue Cross. Earlier this week, we reported how the company had canceled the policies of some consumers in California, then switched them into new plans and deducted the premiums automatically from their bank accounts. Needless to say, consumers who chose other insurance options were none too pleased.

Way to blame the Affordable Care Act for the reason why you won't pick up the phone during business hours, @AnthemPR_CA. Classy.

2014 kevinwchat (@kevinwchat) January 28, 2014

@sleepminded Please email me your name, birthdate, phone # & city of residence so we can assist. Darrel.Ng@wellpoint.com

2014 Anthem Blue Cross (@AnthemPR_CA) January 28, 2014

@Uma3055 Please email me your name, birthdate, phone # & city of residence so we can assist. Darrel.Ng@wellpoint.com

2014 Anthem Blue Cross (@AnthemPR_CA) January 27, 2014

The man who responds to those messages, spokesman Darrel Ng (@AnthemPR_CA), told me in an email that the insurer's customers are interacting with companies in ways beyond the traditional phone call. "In response to this new demand, we created our customer service twitter account @AskAnthem several years ago to assist members. As consumers themselves started proactively contacting our other twitter accounts, we started directing these inquiries to customer service for assistance."

The insurance company Aetna has a dedicated Twitter account, @AetnaHelp, to assist with customer service queries 2014 and it's been busy lately.

@typeis4lovers Thanks for your email. We have reviewed your request and a response has been sent via email. Have a great Night! ^ TL

2014 Aetna (@AetnaHelp) January 28, 2014

Spokesman Matt Wiggin said the beginning of the year is a busy time for the insurer and is particularly so this year because of the Affordable Care Act and its changing deadlines.

"There have been some instances where call volumes have been heavy and if people have not been able to get through or been able to get the information we need, they've either reached out to us through social media or other means available," he said. "It's just another way for folks to engage with us."

Sometimes, Aetna's tweets are even proactive. When a customer of Anthem Blue Cross tweeted dissatisfaction and said her business was up for grabs, Aetna's customer service team chimed in.

@AdrianaK Hi. If you have questions about Aetna plans please let us know. Thanks! ^ TL

2014 Aetna (@AetnaHelp) January 27, 2014

The California HealthCare Foundation has been tracking Twitter sentiment around the Affordable Care Act. In a report released last week, the foundation found that in general, there has been much less discussion about the law recently than there was in October when HealthCare.gov, the federal marketplace, didn't work. In December, the conversation shifted somewhat to the affordability of options.

Catherine Teare, a senior program officer for health reform and public programs at the foundation, said she doesn't have data about consumers interacting with their plans on Twitter, but added that an uptick makes sense.

"I don't think these tweets give us necessarily a way to grade either the performance of the insurance companies or of the exchanges, but we certainly didn't see the complaints about insurance companies back in November because people weren't that far through the process," Teare said.

Even state insurance exchanges themselves are getting into the act, responding to Twitter queries lobbed their way. This from California:

@MamaEdits A household is what you claim it to be on your taxes.

2014 Covered California (@CoveredCA) January 27, 2014

@KristineHolst Unfortunately, you'll have to get through to the Service Center to get that fixed.

2014 Covered California (@CoveredCA) January 24, 2014

Anne Gonzales, a spokeswoman for Covered California, said the exchange has a social media team that monitors its Twitter feed, Facebook pages and Instagram account around the clock.

"We actively respond to consumers using social media to answer their questions and to help them through the process," Gonzales wrote. "We get as many as 500 Facebook posts a day, and the social media team answers up to 50 questions a day, so it's becoming a valuable tool for people in need."

Gonzales said the exchange's Facebook and Twitter followers help each other out and compare notes. "People root each other on to get covered, and congratulate others on successful enrollment," she wrote. "We recognize that social media is the resource of choice among younger, more tech-savvy consumers, and we are using it as a tool to get consumer feedback and to reach out to those experiencing difficulty in enrolling or getting information."

 



Photo Credit: Twitter/@AnthemPR_CA

Snowy Wednesday

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More snow hit the Philadelphia region on Wednesday. A weather warmup is on the way.

Philly Casino Personalities

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Philadelphia’s battle for the remaining casino license has developed some interesting subplots.

There are five proposals vying for one license.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is in town for three days of “suitability” hearings, listening to details about each proposal and asking tough questions.

All five proposals have their merits. All five are from teams that have had great success — if not in casinos, in retail development, urban redevelopment and so on.

One of the most interesting battles emerging is that of the two Center City proposals. They’re from real estate developers that are native to the area, in their 50s and have been on the scene for a long time: Bart Blatstein, whose $700 million The Provence would incorporate the old Philadelphia Inquirer building (400 N. Broad St.), and Ken Goldenberg, whose $500 million Market8 (800 Market St.) concept would at long last fill a gap on the Market East corridor.

Since it’s Super Bowl week, it’s fair to compare them to the Seahawks-49ers rivalry. Each knows the others’ strengths and weaknesses. Both drafted top teams with good bench strength. Neither will back down. One could make it to the Super Bowl. Read more about this story on PBJ.com

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Over 9,000 May be Without Heat

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Iris Rodriguez always remembers to bundle up during the day, wearing extra layers and sweaters. But she doesn’t only dress warm when she steps outside. She also does it while she’s inside her own North Philly home.

“I try to have my gas off so the bills don’t come higher,” Rodriguez said. “So I dress up with sweaters and stuff like that and keep warm inside my house.”

Rodriguez says she’s had trouble paying her gas bill and can’t afford to push her thermostat past 68 to 70 degrees. She admits that living in such a cold home, especially during the winter, isn’t particularly good for her health.

“I have asthma and other health problems also,” she said. “But I try to make ends meet and I don’t want my bills getting higher.”

According to officials with PGW, out of 491,000 Philadelphia customers, 9,000 of those are without gas and potentially without heat. Officials say the customers were disconnected prior to the winter months after being unable to pay their gas bill. They also say however, that some of those numbers could be for homes that are now vacant. 

Officials with PECO say only 118 of their customers out of 1.6 million are without power. PECO is crediting this to an aggressive program that reaches out to customers who are behind on their bills or struggling financially. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for low-income families who can't afford to heat their homes.

LIHEAP assistance offers crisis grants for households in danger of not being able to keep their heat on. The program opened Jan. 2 and closes on April 4. Assistance is available 24 hours a day and there are Philadelphia County assistance offices that are available to help those in need. The list of offices are here.

Last year at this time, the program approved 31,000 Philadelphians. As of now, 64,000 have been approved. Officials say the sharp increase is not only because of the cold but also because of a massive backlog in processing applications last year.

NBC10 was there as Rodriguez walked inside the Department of Public Welfare building to apply for LIHEAP funding.

Officials with LIHEAP say they’ve already extended 55% of the money it received from the federal government, which has raised some concerns that they’ll run out of funding.

“In the past few years we haven’t faced that issue,” said Kate Gillis of LIHEAP. “We are expecting some additional funding to come through as well.”

Officials with the Department of Public Welfare say they expect to receive another $29 million from the federal government by March. PECO officials also say that the utility will not disconnect customers with a past due bill of less than $350.

There are three ways you can apply for LIHEAP: online on paper or in person. You can download an application and obtain more information here.

 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Teacher Sexted Student: D.A.

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A Lower Moreland High School teacher was suspended without pay after she allegedly sexted and had sex with one of her students.

Erica Ann Ginnetti, 33, turned herself in Friday morning after allegations arose earlier this month that the math teacher and married mother of three had sex with a 17-year-old male student over the summer.

According to Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, the relationship between Ginnetti and the student began in May when Ginnetti approached the boy at prom and asked him if he would like to work out at her gym. A few days later the boy allegedly emailed Ginnetti and she replied with her cell phone number.

Ferman said that after that the two communicated on a daily basis over several months. During that time, investigators say that Ginnetti sent a series of sexually-charged messages, including videos of herself undressing and performing sex acts on herself as well as “sexually-suggestive” photos of Ginnetti in her underwear and a bikini.

Investigators say the two met up at a coffee shop in July in Northeast Philadelphia. From there they went to a nearby industrial park and had sex in Ginnetti's car, according to the police report. Ginnetti then drove the teen back to the coffee shop, investigators say, and asked him not to tell anyone about the incident.

According to investigators, Ginnetti admitted to having sex with the teenage boy.

Lower Moreland police said they were tipped off last Wednesday via a phone line used for reporting possible abuses against children. The caller left a message saying they'd overhead students at the school talking about "inappropriate pictures of the minor and the teacher doing 'sexual things.'" Police then approached the 17-year-old who they say gave them a detailed account of how the relationship began and then evolved.

Ginnetti was arraigned Friday morning on 13 counts including sexual assault of a student, corruption of minors and disseminating obscene materials to a minor and released after posting $50,000 unsecured bail, according to court records.

As part of her bail conditions, Ginnetti is not permitted to have contact with any children except for her own kids -- ages 8, 11 and 14. She also must surrender her passport and will be electronically monitored.

On Wednesday, a video was sent to NBC10 through a third party showing a woman removing a bikini top and tight pants. NBC10 confirmed the video was sent to the 17-year-old student. However, officials have not confirmed whether the video came from Ginnetti.

NBC10 called prosecutors and went to Lower Moreland Police for comment. No one would talk about the video or any other details in the case however. Ginnetti’s defense attorney also told NBC10 he could not comment on the striptease video because he had not seen it.

According to her teaching page, Ginnetti taught AP Calculus, AP Statistics, Calculus and Honor Algebra at Lower Moreland.

The District says Ginnetti was suspended without pay and will be fired.

An attorney representing the district also told NBC10 that the school is concerned about the video and any photos that may have been shared by students. He says the district is currently examining the school computer hardware system to determine if any of the materials were shared on school owned equipment but that there is little the district can do beyond that, especially if the images are being shared on personal devices.

 



Photo Credit: Loswer Moreland Police Dept.

Teens Attack Student, Post Video on Facebook: Police

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Two teens are in custody while another is still on the loose after police say they beat up a middle school student, recorded the attack and then posted the video on Facebook.

Investigators say an 8th grade student at Woodrow Wilson School was walking home Tuesday afternoon on Cottman and Large Street. Suddenly, police say he was approached by three teens.

Two of the teens began to attack him while the third recorded the beating on his cell phone, according to investigators. They then fled the scene. Police say the victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators say the suspects uploaded the video on Facebook and it soon went viral. Police became aware of the video after a concerned parent sent it to them.

After an investigation, police arrested a high school student and a Woodrow Wilson Middle School student. According to police, the high school student was one of the attackers while the Middle School student was the one who recorded the video and posted it on Facebook.

Both teens are charged with simple assault and conspiracy. Police have not revealed their identities because they are charged as juveniles.

Police continue to search for the third teen involved.
 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Some Workers Who Shoveled at Linc Never Got Paid

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It was a bonding experience and a chance to make good money for Gabriel Boerner and his father Stephen back on January 3. The two were among the hundreds of workers who shoveled out snow at Lincoln Financial Field on the eve of a wildcard playoff game between the Eagles and Saints.

“It was cool,” Gabriel said. “They were playing the next day, so it was cool to be able to shovel it before they played in the playoffs.”

About a month later however, fond memories of the hard day’s work turned into frustration. The father and son as well as other workers claimed they never received the money they were owed.

“It’s just so wrong on so many levels,” said Stephen Boerner.

The Boerners told NBC10 on Wednesday they were both owed more than $400 for their work at the Linc. Randy Quintal, another worker, also said he never received the $160 that he was owed.

The Philadelphia Eagles confirmed that it paid the contractor in charge of the cleanup, American Winter Services. American Winter Services in turn confirmed that they paid its subcontractor, M&M. But that’s where the payment stopped, according to the Boerners.

Stephen Boerner showed NBC10 eight text messages and a dozen phone calls sent throughout the month to his contact at M&M. NBC10 also called the number and heard the following message, “The mobile number you have called is no longer in service.”

After it was brought to their attention, officials with American Winter Services promised they’d pay the Boerners as well as any other workers who still haven’t received their money.

Around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the owner of M&M contacted NBC10, claiming the unpaid workers were mistakenly left off a payment list and had been contacting the wrong person. The owner promised he would send the workers their check.



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Ex-Church Treasurer Charged

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A former treasurer at a Lehigh Valley church is expected to turn herself in Thursday morning after police say she stole over $300,000 from the congregation.

Ann Marie Ballentine, 51, of Palmer Township, is accused of stealing $317,937 from the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, located on Spring Garden Street.

Current treasurer Charlie Young told Lehigh Valley Live that Ballentine served as the treasurer for the church for a decade before resigning last November.

Officials at the church told police they found a discrepancy in their financial records around three months ago. Lehigh Valley Live reports that court records indicate Ballentine had been stealing money at the church since at least June of 2006.

Church officials claim Ballentine admitted to taking the money to help pay for her bills when they confronted her last November.

Ballentine allegedly admitted once again to stealing the money in order to pay her bills when she spoke with Easton Police back on January 16.

Despite the allegations against Ballentine, Young told Lehigh Valley Live that the church’s congregation of about 160 would not turn her away if she ever chose to come back and that she’s still considered a member of the church.

Police issued an arrest warrant for Ballentine on charges of theft, theft by failure to deposit funds and receiving stolen property. She is expected to surrender to officials Thursday morning for a preliminary arraignment.
 



Photo Credit: lehighvalleylive.com

Person Struck, Killed on Pa. Tpk.

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Officials say a woman was struck and killed on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Wednesday night.

Several vehicles were involved in an accident in the westbound lanes of the Turnpike near mile marker 339 in Fort Washington, Montgomery County.

A female pedestrian was struck by at least one of the vehicles and pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured.

Two westbound lanes are currently blocked on the Turnpike at the scene of the crash.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.
 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Pickpocket Victim Speaks

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Police have identified a trio of pickpockets who were captured on surveillance video stealing from a woman as she ate at a Center City restaurant. As police continue their search for the suspects, the woman in that video is speaking out for the first time, hoping the lessons she learned can help other potential victims.

Amanda D'Amico, 32, was eating inside the Rice & Mix Restaurant on the 1200 block of Walnut Street back on January 10. As she was eating, police say two men and a woman entered the restaurant around 8:45 p.m. The woman and one of the men distracted a clerk while the other man walked towards D'Amico.

Surveillance video shows the man sitting directly behind D'Amico as she ate, placing his jacket over her purse which was hanging on the back of her chair, and stealing her wallet. Police say the man then walked over to the other two suspects and had a brief conversation before all three fled the scene in an unknown direction.

"It was jarring that it was captured on film and I could watch it over and over again," D'Amico told NBC10 on Wednesday. "I really didn't have any clue that he was there or as close as he was."

D'Amico says she was unaware of the theft until she returned to the restaurant in search of her wallet and restaurant workers showed her the surveillance video.

"It was really upsetting," D'Amico said. "I felt violated. That was upsetting that it took him awhile to do it and I still didn't notice."

Police say the trio used the same method during a theft at the Metropolitan Diner on South 19th and Spruce Streets on September 20. Surveillance video shows the woman taking a wallet from a pocketbook. About an hour after that theft, the woman and two men, who allegedly served as lookouts, were spotted at a South Philly Home Depot store buying $15,000 in gift cards with the victim's stolen credit card, according to investigators. 

Law enforcement sources also say the trio may be connected to other crimes, possibly as far as Wilmington, Delaware.

“Your pocketbook, your belongings, you should always keep it in front of you,” said Philadelphia Police Lieutenant Patrick Doherty. “If you can’t see your belongings or your handbag you’re at risk of becoming a victim of this type of crime.”

D'Amico says her experience should serve as a warning to others to be aware of their surroundings.

"The things I'm going to do different now are make sure my bag has a zipper and carry a smaller wallet so that it's not so easy to pick out my bag," she said. 

On Wednesday, police announced they identified the three suspects. They plan to release their names and photos on Thursday. 

The first suspect is described as a 40-year-old man with a full beard standing between 5-foot-9 and 6-feet. He was last seen wearing a blue Jeff hat, blue quilted pattern jacket, dark blue argyle print sweater, blue jeans and white sneakers.

The second suspect is described as a stocky, 40-year-old man standing between 5-foot-9 and 6-feet. He was last seen wearing a dark-colored baseball cap, dark-colored North Face jacket and blue jeans.

The third suspect is described as a 40-year-old, medium built woman standing 5-foot-6. She was last seen wearing glasses, a dark-colored baseball cap, dark-colored north Face jacket and blue jeans. She was also carrying a tan-colored pocket book.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of the suspects, please call Philadelphia Police or 911.
 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Person of Interest in Robberies

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Police say a 15-year-old boy is in custody in connection to the attacks and robberies of several women in Philadelphia.

Police say the first incident took place on January 8 around 9:10 a.m. on the 1300 block of Pennington Road. A 52-year-old woman was walking out of her home when police say she was approached by the suspect from behind. The suspect allegedly told the woman, “give me your bag or I will shoot you.” He then took her bag and fled the scene, according to police.

Police say the suspect struck again on January 13 around 6 p.m. Barbara Tucker, 60, told police she was on her way to work and walking along the 7600 block of Brockton Road when the suspect approached her from behind and placed her in a choke-hold.

"He said, 'don't turn around or I'll shoot you, just give me the bag,'" Tucker said.

Tucker says the suspect then threw her to the ground and stole her groceries, purse, cell phone, Kindle fire, $100 in cash and her ID.

Tucker's eye was injured in the attack and the emotional pain remains as well.

"Being so close to home, it's hard," she said while in tears. "It's really hard." 

On January 21, around 7:19 p.m., the suspect allegedly approached a 35-year-old woman from behind while she was carrying her groceries on the 7500 block of Malvern Avenue. Police say the suspect pulled out a knife and demanded that she give up everything in her possession.

Police say the woman dropped her purse and fled into her home. The suspect then allegedly took the woman’s purse, ID, bank card, cell phone and $100 in cash.

The suspect’s fourth victim was a 51-year-old woman, according to police. The suspect allegedly approached her from behind on January 24 around 7:15 a.m. while she was dropping off her grandchildren on the 6700 block of Lansdowne Avenue.

Police say he pulled out a knife and told her, “you don’t want anything to happen to these kids.”

He then allegedly grabbed the bottom of the woman’s bag and then lunged at her and the children. Police say the woman then let go of the bag and the suspect fled with it through a playground and into the woods. The stolen bag contained ID and credit cards, according to investigators.

That same day, shortly before 9 a.m., police say the suspect approached a 55-year-old woman who was walking towards a bus stop on the 1200 block of North 57th Street. The suspect allegedly pushed the woman from behind, grabbed her tote bag and then ran west through a park area. Police say the bag contained a Samsung tablet, HTC smart phone, small pocketbook, debit card, keys, chargers and identification.

Finally on Wednesday, around 6:30 a.m., police say the suspect approached a 28-year-old woman from behind as she was walking on the 7500 block of Lansdowne Avenue.

The suspect allegedly tried to grab the woman’s purse from her shoulder. When the woman pulled away and tried to run, the suspect tackled her to the ground, according to investigators. Police say the suspect then pulled out a knife, put it to the woman’s neck and said, "give me the bag before I stab you.” The suspect then stole the woman’s purse and fled the scene, according to investigators. Police say the purse contained ID, a wallet, gray ankle boots and $140 in cash.

Investigators say they tracked down a person of interest, a 15-year-old boy, Wednesday night at the Woodcrest Apartments on the 1400 block of North 76th Street. Police were able to track him down through one of the stolen cell phones, according to investigators.

NBC10's Nefertiti Jaquez was there Wednesday night as the handcuffed teen was brought into police headquarters.

"Do you have anything to say?" she asked.

"I didn't do it," he replied, before police led him through the front doors.

Police say the is considered a person of interest. He has not been charged.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.

 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

8 Stores Engulfed in 4-Alarm Blaze

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Eight stores were engulfed in flames as a four-alarm blaze raged at a building in northeast New Jersey Thursday morning, firefighters say.

All the stores were closed when fire broke out at the building on South Broad Street in Elizabeth at about 5:30 a.m., Fire Chief Thomas McNamara says.

The fire grew quickly, bursting through the building’s roof and causing it to partially collapse, McNamara said. Heavy flames and a thick plume of smoke could be seen rising from the building as crews worked to douse the flames.

Firefighters had the fire under control in about an hour and a half, but structures on either side of the building were evacuated and a demolition crew was sent to tear down all the stores on the strip, as well as a nearby church. Authorities hope to have a better idea about what caused the fire once the buildings are razed. 

No one was injured in the blaze, though McNamara said some firefighters slipped and fell as water from their houses quickly turned to ice on the streets.

 



Photo Credit: NBC 4 New York

Mammoth TV Screens at the Linc

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The Philadelphia Eagles are teaming up with Panasonic for help in the video display portion of the team’s two-year, $125 million Lincoln Financial Field revitalization project that began last year.

Panasonic’s involvement will be highlighted by its installation of two huge end zone video boards totaling more than 9,400 square feet, which will replace the ones installed when the stadium opened in 2003.

The Eagles said when the project is completed in August, the stadium will have the highest-definition boards in the National Football League featuring two 10mm pitch video screens. The north and south boards will measure approximately 27-feet tall by 192-feet wide and 27-feet tall by 160-feet wide, respectively.

Panasonic will also install a number of video displays in and around the stadium in time for the upcoming 2014 NFL season.

Read more about this story at PBJ.com.



Photo Credit: Philadelphia Business Journal

Pregnant Woman, Kids Jump From Fire

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Seven people, including a pregnant woman, jump from flames in Salem County.

Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Police ID Pickpocket Suspects

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Investigators hope someone knows the whereabouts of the trio accused of pickpocketing woman in posh city neighborhoods in recent weeks.

On Thursday morning, Philadelphia Police released photos of James Black, Renza Sheaff and Timothy Mosley. According to investigators, the trio are responsible for a recent string of thefts in the Logan Circle, Rittenhouse Square and Washington Circle neighborhoods of Philadelphia.

Blake, who hails from N 59th Street in West Philadelphia, is known to operate a 1990 Cadillac Deville two-door coupe, according to investigators.

Sheaff, a.k.a. Tina Hainey or Robin Davis, is attached to various previous addresses in the city, police said.

Mosley has various addresses including homes in Sharon Hill, Pa. and West Philadelphia, according to police.

Anyone who knows where any of the suspects could be is asked to contact Philly Police.From L to R) Center City pickpocketing theft suspects James Black, Renza Sheaff & Timothy Mosley.

Police say the trio of alleged pickpockets are the ones captured on surveillance video stealing from a woman as she ate at a Center City restaurant. That woman spoke out yesterday in hopes that the lessons she learned can help other potential victims.

Amanda D'Amico, 32, was eating inside the Rice & Mix Restaurant on the 1200 block of Walnut Street back on Jan. 10. As she was eating, police say two men and a woman entered the restaurant around 8:45 p.m. The woman and one of the men distracted a clerk while the other man walked towards D'Amico.

(PHOTO from left to right: James Black, Renza Sheaff and Timothy Mosley)

Surveillance video shows the man sitting directly behind D'Amico as she ate, placing his jacket over her purse which was hanging on the back of her chair, and stealing her wallet. Police say the man then walked over to the other two suspects and had a brief conversation before all three fled the scene in an unknown direction.

"It was jarring that it was captured on film and I could watch it over and over again," D'Amico told NBC10 on Wednesday. "I really didn't have any clue that he was there or as close as he was."

D'Amico says she was unaware of the theft until she returned to the restaurant in search of her wallet and restaurant workers showed her the surveillance video.

"It was really upsetting," D'Amico said. "I felt violated. That was upsetting that it took him awhile to do it and I still didn't notice."

Police say the trio used the same method during a theft at the Metropolitan Diner on South 19th and Spruce Streets on Sept. 20. Surveillance video shows the woman taking a wallet from a pocketbook. About an hour after that theft, the woman and two men, who allegedly served as lookouts, were spotted at a South Philly Home Depot store buying $15,000 in gift cards with the victim's stolen credit card, according to investigators. 

Law enforcement sources also say the trio may be connected to other crimes, possibly as far as Wilmington, Del.

“Your pocketbook, your belongings, you should always keep it in front of you,” said Philadelphia Police Lt. Patrick Doherty. “If you can’t see your belongings or your handbag you’re at risk of becoming a victim of this type of crime.”

D'Amico says her experience should serve as a warning to others to be aware of their surroundings.

"The things I'm going to do different now are make sure my bag has a zipper and carry a smaller wallet so that it's not so easy to pick out my bag," she said.  



Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police

Fire Burns at Warehouse

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Firefighters rushed to the scene of a vacant warehouse fire -- possibly started by a squatter -- in hopes to prevent it from spreading to a nearby furniture warehouse.

The 100,000-square-foot building burned at Taylor Street and N Olden Avenue in Trenton, N.J. near the freight yards shortly after 10 a.m.

There was no immediate word on injuries.

The fire quickly spread to four alarms as crews from neighboring towns joined in the fight. About an hour later, firefighters could be seen on ladders dousing the flames -- a stark contrast to the snow that rested on top of the roof of other parts of the building.

As SkyForce10 approached the scene, thick smoke could be seen billowing from the blaze. NBC10.com's Na'eem Douglas said that the gray building where the fire appeared to be centered is an abandoned warehouse. Winds pushed the flames to an adjacent building -- a smaller dark-colored warehouse -- that houses New York-based Meridian Furniture's storage facility and storage for clothing-maker Calm New York.

Mo Rosillio, whose family owns Meridian, said that his father was on the scene. Firefighters told the elder Rosillio that a homeless squatter possibly started the fire while trying to stay warm.

The abandoned building is the same warehouse that burned back in October causing a partial collapse. In that fire, it took firefighters hours to battle back the blaze.

That fire did some damage to Meridian Furniture.



Photo Credit: SkyForce10

N.J.'s Super Bowl Struggle

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Doug Palsi got excited the first time he heard the prediction from Super Bowl XLVIII organizers: $550 million expected to flow into the region for Sunday's NFL championship at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. — less than a mile from the sports bar he owns.

Then Palsi thought some more, and it seemed kind of ridiculous. The number — viewed skeptically by economic experts — was freakishly big. His business, Redd's Restaurant & Bar, was small. And most of the Super Bowl-related spending wasn't going to happen in the Meadowlands, anyway. The money would go to New York, just across the Hudson River. Like always.

Still, he was grateful for whatever uptick in business came his way. "If it wasn't for New York City, the Super Bowl would never be here," Palsi said. "So we're thrilled. A little something is better than nothing."

That scrappy North Jersey outlook — take what you can get — prevails among the small businesses and civic boosters that surround the stadium. They are accustomed to living in New York's shadow, so they don't bother themselves with the bold economic projections, or try to compete for media attention. Instead, they focus on getting a cut of the action.

"If I spent all my time worrying about New York capturing the limelight, I'd have no time to scratch and claw for business out here," said Jim Kirkos, CEO of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce. "Instead of letting my ego get hurt, I'm going to go out and try to win some business. Because at the end of the day, what else can I do?"

He said he'd be happy with the North Jersey region capturing a third of the total economic impact — whether it be the league's estimate of $550 million, or much less, as sports economists predict.

After it was awarded the Super Bowl in 2010, New Jersey made an aggressive push to host the NFL Experience, a mini festival that accompanies the game. But that perk went to New York, which renamed a section of Broadway Super Bowl Boulevard and installed a concert stage and toboggan run.

The vast majority of people visiting for the game will be staying in New York. And yet New Jersey will bear the brunt of the impact on infrastructure. Dozens of state agencies have spent years working to make sure the game goes off without a hitch. Thousands of state and local cops will be deployed for security.

New Jersey isn't getting completely overlooked. Super Bowl Media Day was held at the Prudential Center In Newark. Both championship teams, the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, are staying in Jersey City, where there will be a pre-game concert at Liberty State Park.

But that's pretty much it for NFL-sanctioned events. What's left is a sprawling array of residual economic opportunities: visitors who need to eat and sleep and have fun, locals who want to watch and celebrate together.

Thousands of front-desk clerks and concierges and other members of the local hospitality industry have taken a one-day "customer service training program" at a local community college to prepare them for the onslaught of visitors, whom they'll steer to local businesses.

Pete Gremanis, whose family runs the Colonial Diner in Lyndhurst, said he expected business to double in the days before the Super Bowl. He placed ads in local publications and in nearby hotels, but he knows from experience that word of mouth will provide the biggest boost.

"We don't want anyone to come here from Denver or Seattle and say they had a bad time," Gremanis said. "Jersey gets a pretty bad rap on some things. But we're definitely ready to welcome everybody."

Many of the region's restaurants, bars, banquet halls and nightclubs have formed a loose coalition to promote each other's Super Bowl-related events. The fortunate ones have booked events for large groups.

Palsi, for instance, is hosting several hundred guests of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "That's a nice chunk of change," he said, declining to provide details. "Without that party, it would probably be like a normal game between the Giants and Cowboys in November."

Wayne Hasenbalg, president of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, said he and Alfred Kelly Jr., who heads the New York/New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee, sent letters to New Jersey mayors a few months ago, encouraging them to create their own unofficial events as a way to spark local spending.

"There's an additional economic impact in being proactive and creating our own opportunities," Hasenbalg said in an interview.

Many took the advice. East Rutherford will hold an unofficial tailgate party in its downtown business district. Neighboring Rutherford will have a Winter Festival. Nearby Secaucus and the more distant Montclair organized several days of football-themed events. The municipal festivities extend into the central part of the state, far from the game itself.

East Rutherford Mayor James Cassella said he hopes that the game will be a wash, financially, for his town, despite the fact that it is the host. Local police officers have been allocated to the Super Bowl security apparatus, for which Cassella doesn't expect to be reimbursed. He is concerned about how transportation restrictions will affect traffic, and local commerce.

At the same time, the town receives a portion of the taxes on local hotel sales receipts.

Cassella noted, a bit sourly, that East Rutherford could not even use the words "Super Bowl" in the name of its tailgate party, because of NFL licensing restrictions. He added that he has yet to have a conversation with anyone from the league.

"Just acknowledge a little bit more where the game is," Cassella said. "That, in fact, the game is in our town and it's going to affect our town."

The mayor stressed that he is a die-hard football fan. He is a Giants season ticket holder. He entered a Giants lottery to win a pair of Super Bowl tickets, but didn't win.

He said he knows no one in town who has a ticket to the game.

Last week, Cassella said he expected to spend Super Bowl Sunday at home, on his recliner, "nice and comfortable," as he would any other year.

But on Wednesday, Cassella said that he'd accepted a last-minute invitiation from the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, who'd heard about his predicament.

He said he appreciated the gesture of respect.



Photo Credit: AP
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