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Police Interview UPenn Student's Friend in Homicide Case

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Three search warrants have been issued in connection to the death of 19-year-old University of Pennsylvania student Blaze Bernstein, whose body was found Tuesday after an extensive search through California's Borrego Park.

Detectives interviewed a friend of Bernstein, who was one of the last persons to see him alive. The friend said he left the park an hour after meeting up with the victim to visit his girlfriend in Tustin, but he could not recall her last name or address. He alleged he returned to the park several hours later but could not find Bernstein.

Detectives noted the friend had dirt under his fingernails during the interview, to which he claimed was caused by a fall. Officials also saw that the friend had several cuts and scratches, but he claimed it stemmed from a “fight club” activity.

Family and friends attended a candlelit vigil on Wednesday, where mourners gathered to honor the teen’s memory.

"We thank God for this hard rain that exposed his grave," Bernstein’s grandfather said before he choked back tears.

Sheriffs said Bernstein’s body was found in brush near Foothill Ranch Park. Although officials would not say whether he was buried or not, they confirmed that Tuesday’s storm helped find his body. Officials did not comment on the cause of death.

Bernstein, who was visiting family in Orange County during his school break from University of Pennsylvania, was last seen about 11 p.m. on Jan. 2. He told relatives he was meeting up with his friends. He was reported missing the following day after his loved ones were unable to get in contact with him.

No suspects are in custody. Sheriffs will not go into detail on who received the search warrant nor have they publicly named a person of interest.

Anyone with information on Bernstein’s death is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000.



Photo Credit: Courtesy of Family

Doctor, Pagan Charged in Wife's Murder-for-Hire in Court

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A New Jersey doctor and an alleged Pagan motorcycle gang member accused of killing the doctor's wife and running an illegal prescription drug ring made an initial court appearance Thursday on murder and racketeering charges.

Dr. James Kauffman, Ferdinand Augello and three of six other defendants, appeared Thursday, via video, in a South Jersey courtroom. None said much, other than giving one-word answers to the judge.

Kauffman has been jailed since his arrest last year on drug charges. He is being held at Hudson County Jail for his own protection, according to Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner. According to court documents, Kauffman may have been targeted for a murder plot inside Atlantic County Jail as well.

"We don’t think it would be prudent for those two to be lodged together," Tyner said of Kauffman and Augello.

At the center of the sordid allegations is the 2012 slaying of radio host April Kauffman, who prosecutors now say threatened to expose the ring. She was found shot to death inside the couple's Linwood home.

Officers found April Kauffman face down in the second floor bedroom of the couple's Woodstock Drive home on May 10, 2012.

A local businesswoman who hosted weekly talk shows and advocated for military veterans, April Kauffman received a governor’s award for outstanding community service a few days before her death.

James Kauffman and Augello, of Petersburg, New Jersey, worked with the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang to illegally distribute drugs from Kauffman's Egg Harbor Township medical practice, prosecutors allege.

Kauffman allegedly wrote prescriptions for highly sought after and addictive opioids — including Percocet, OxyContin and Oxycodone — to people who were sent to his office by Augello.

Augello allegedly received $1,000 in cash per prescription or a predetermined number of prescription pills once the script was filled. Those who did not have insurance were required to pay anywhere between $100 to $250 per visit, according to investigators.

The county prosecutor said April Kauffman learned of the operation in 2011 around the same time she planned to file for divorce from James Kauffman.

With his self-described "financial empire" in jeopardy, James Kauffman and Augello began propositioning several people to murder April Kauffman, according to Tyner. For a year, they were unsuccessful.

Then, in 2012, Augello found Francis "Frank" Mullholland, Tyner said.

During the early morning hours of May 10, 2012, Mullholland received a ride to the Kauffman home and was given a gun. He then allegedly went inside the home through an unlocked door and shot April Kauffman twice before leaving, according to investigators.


Mullholland was found dead 18 months later. Investigators at the time said the manner of death was an accidental drug overdose.

James Kauffman's drug operation continued for five years after his wife's murder, officials said. Every person involved in the enterprise was either a Pagan, former Pagan or an associate of a Pagan, according to investigators.

The operation finally folded when James Kauffman was arrested on weapons charges following a standoff with police at his Egg Harbor Township medical office on June 13, 2017. 

In addition to Kauffman and Augello, also charged are Joseph Mulholland (no relation to Frank Mullholland), 52, of Villas, New Jersey; Beverly Augello; Glenn Seeler, 37, of Sanford, North Carolina; Paul Pagano, 61, of Egg Harbor Township; Tabitha Chapman, 35, of Absecon, New Jersey; and Cheryl Pizza, 36, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

Ferdinand Augello is charged with first-degree racketeering, first-degree leader of racketeering, the first-degree murder of April Kauffman and conspiracy to commit the murder of James Kauffman. The remaining six suspects are all charged with racketeering.



Photo Credit: Ted Greenberg/NBC10
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Pizza Shop Cheers on Eagles Through Slices

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If you think pizza and football go hand-in-hand, you'll need this pizza for the big game on Saturday. NBC10's Steven Fisher shows you the Eagles-themed pizza coming out of Delaware.

Road Closures for Firefighter Matthew LeTourneau's Funeral

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Funeral services for Philadelphia Fire Lt. Matthew LaTourneau will be held Friday morning in Center City, Philadelphia, and conclude with his burial in Springfield in the early afternoon.

Road closures and heavy traffic will begin by 7 a.m. Here are details for those driving in the area of Philadelphia and Delaware County.

  • Between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., the area surrounding the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 1723 Race St., will be extremely congested.  This area is bounded by Spring Garden Street on the north, John F. Kennedy Boulevard on the south, Broad Street on the east and 25th Street on the west.
  • Starting sometime between 12:30-1:30 p.m., a funeral procession will head from the cathedral to Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1600 S. Sproul Rd., Springfield.
  • The following route will be taken (and closures and heavy traffic should be expected): 
  1. Vine Street, from Logan Circle to the I-676 entrance at Broad Street
  2. Eastbound Interstate 676 to Interstate 95
  3. Southbound I-95 to Interstate 476
  4. Northbound I-476 will be closed for the procession, from I-95 to Exit 5
  5. Route 1 to Sproul Road
  6. Sproul Road, from Route 1 to the entrance of Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery.





Photo Credit: Philadelphia Fire Department via AP

Did You Get Your Flu Shot? There's Still Time

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As flu symptoms ravage our region, plenty of people are rushing to get the flu shot. NBC10's Aundrea Cline-Thomas reports.

NBC10 Investigators: Opioids and Babies

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After the NBC10 Investigators researched opioid addiction in babies, Pennsylvania is now taking action to help the problem. NBC10 Investigative Reporter Mitch Blacher reports.

Eagles Headed to London

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It's official! The Birds will take flight and play in London next season. Now, local fans are preparing.

Saving Walkers Row

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A historic building in Delaware could be demolished, and now the race is on to save it. NBC10's Tim Furlong explains.


NBC10 First Alert Weather: Heavy Rain on the Way

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The springlike temperatures have given our region a nice break from the cold, but now some heavy rain is on the way. NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz breaks down the timing and how much rain your neighborhood could see.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Customer Shot During Philly Barbershop Attempted Robbery

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A man was shot during an attempted robbery after he tried to stop the robbery inside a Philadelphia barbershop. It all happened in front of three children. NBC10s Brandon Hudson reports.

IV Bag Shortage

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An IV bag shortage is causing problems at medical facilities in our area. NBC10s Drew Smith explains how Hurricane Maria plays a roll in the problem.

Authentic Eagles Fan Gets Ready for Playoffs

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Decades of collecting has made this Wynnefield Heights 'man cave' one for the record books. NBC10s Keith Jones gets a tour.

NBC10 First Alert Weather Heavy Rain Arctic Plunge

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We are in a first alert through Saturday with heavy rains expected to hit our region, while temperatures take a plunge into the teens.

NBC10 Investigators: Opioids and Babies

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After the NBC10 Investigators researched opioid addiction in babies, Pennsylvania is now taking action to help the problem. NBC10 Investigative Reporter Mitch Blacher reports.

Philly Home Show: Dressing Up a Small Space

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NBc10's Randy Gyllenhaal gets some advice at the Philly Home Show on decorating a small home.


Transformer Fire Stops Traffic on Busy NJ Road

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A transformer fire caused crews to block a busy South Jersey roadway Friday morning.

The fire closed westbound Route 70 just after the Interstate 295 interchange in Cherry Hill around 6 a.m. and kept the roadway closed for more than an hour.

You could take Springdale Road to Chapel Avenue, Church Road or Route 38 to get around the scene, NBC10 First Alert Traffic reporter Jessica Boyington said.

Crews cleared the scene and traffic began moving again shortly before 7:30 a.m.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Catch Up Quickly: Armed NJ Standoff Ends with Suspect Dead

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Here are the top news stories you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.


TODAY'S TOP STORY 

Customer Shot During Attempted Robbery at Barbershop: A man was shot during an attempted robbery Thursday night after he tried to stop the robbery inside a Philadelphia barbershop, which happened in front of three children. Police said two masked, armed men ran into the barbershop and yelled "robbery" while customers were inside. The robbers ran off but police believe they have arrested the shooter. The second robber is still on the lam. The victim remains at Temple Hospital.


      WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY

      Armed NJ Standoff Ends with Suspect Dead: A more than 13-hour standoff that caused officials to close 14 schools in Gloucester Township, leaving thousands of children out of class, ended Thursday morning with the 24-year-old suspect dead. Police responded to reports of shots fired from a townhouse near Hampshire and Yorkshire roads in the Brittany Woods neighborhood of Sicklerville around 8 p.m. Wednesday and the incident turned into a barricade situation. Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle said an armored rescue vehicle with officers inside was struck numerous times with bullets from an assault rifle. Police later showed off the armored vehicle with bullet holes in it. "No shots were fired by police," Earle said. Police continued to be in contact with the suspect over the phone Thursday morning until he stopped answering the phone prompting them to enter the home, investigators said. Heavy machinery and robots were used to breach the home, police said. SWAT officers could then be seen going into the home. Police found the suspect dead. Police found a handgun and assault rifle in the home. A woman, who was unharmed, was found in the home and taken in for questioning, Earle said.

      YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST  

      Rain and fog will start the morning Friday with temperatures in the 50s and 60s. The rain is expected to stick around through Saturday morning. Temperatures are expected to return to the 30s on Saturday. Sun and cold are expected for Sunday and Monday with temperatures in the high 20s. Light snow is possible for Tuesday. Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.

          TODAY'S TALKER               

          Police Interview UPenn Student's Friend in Homicide Case: Three search warrants have been issued in connection to the death of 19-year-old University of Pennsylvania student Blaze Bernstein, whose body was found Tuesday after an extensive search through California's Borrego Park. Detectives interviewed a friend of Bernstein, who was one of the last persons to see him alive. The friend said he left the park an hour after meeting up with the victim to visit his girlfriend in Tustin, but he could not recall her last name or address. He alleged he returned to the park several hours later but could not find Bernstein. Detectives noted the friend had dirt under his fingernails during the interview, to which he claimed was caused by a fall. Officials also saw that the friend had several cuts and scratches, but he claimed it stemmed from a “fight club” activity. Family and friends attended a candlelit vigil on Wednesday, where mourners gathered to honor the teen’s memory. Sheriffs said Bernstein’s body was found in brush near Foothill Ranch Park. Although officials would not say whether he was buried or not, they confirmed that Tuesday’s storm helped find his body. Officials did not comment on the cause of death.

          AROUND THE WORLD

          Trump Calls Haiti, African Countries 'S--thole" Nations: President Donald Trump referred to Haiti and African nations as “s--thole countries" during a meeting with a bipartisan group of senators at the White House, a Democratic aide briefed on Thursday's meeting told NBC News. Trump's comments were first reported by The Washington Post, which said the nations referred to by Trump also included El Salvador. The remarks sparked condemnation from politicians of both parties and prompted Haiti's foreign minister to summon U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Robin Diallo for clarification. Two sources briefed on the conversation say that during the portion of the conversation about Haiti — which came at the top of the exchange that led to the “sh--hole” comment — the president questioned why Haitians should be given specific consideration. “Why do we need more Haitians, take them out,” he said, according to sources. Someone else in the room responded: “Because if you do, it will be obvious why.”


          That's what you need to know to Catch Up Quickly, but we've got more stories worthy of your time. Click here to check them out

          Friend of Slain UPenn Student Avoided Leaving Fingerprints: Docs

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          The friend of a 19-year-old University of Pennsylvania student who was found dead in a Southern California park appeared nervous while speaking with authorities and had scratched up hands and dirt under his fingernails, according to a search warrant affidavit filed by a sheriff's investigator. 

          Blaze Bernstein's body was found Tuesday, Jan. 9 after an extensive search through Borrego Park. Authorities said they were investigating his death as a homicide but would not say how he died.

          The friend said he went with Bernstein to a neighborhood park in the city of Lake Forest on Jan. 2 to meet up with the victim's girlfriend but stayed in the car, the Orange County sheriff's investigator wrote in the document. The friend could not recall the girlfriend's last name or address.

          He said he left about an hour later when Bernstein did not return to the vehicle or respond on social media. He alleged he returned to the park several hours later but could not find Bernstein.

          Detectives noted the friend had dirt under his fingernails during the interview, to which he claimed was caused by a fall. Officials also saw that the friend had several cuts and scratches, but he claimed they stemmed from a “fight club” he was involved in.

          "On their way out of sheriff's headquarters, [investigators] noticed every door [the friend] had to touch on the way out of the building he pulled his jacket over his hand to prevent his hand and fingers from touching any part of the doors he touched," according to the affidavit.

          Family and friends attended a candlelit vigil on Wednesday, where mourners gathered to honor the teen’s memory.

          "We thank God for this hard rain that exposed his grave," Bernstein’s grandfather said before he choked back tears.

          Sheriffs said Bernstein’s body was found in brush near Foothill Ranch Park. Although officials would not say whether he was buried or not, they confirmed that Tuesday’s storm helped find his body. Officials did not comment on the cause of death.

          Bernstein, who was visiting family in Orange County during his school break from University of Pennsylvania, was last seen about 11 p.m. on Jan. 2. He told relatives he was meeting up with his friends. He was reported missing the following day after his loved ones were unable to get in contact with him.

          No suspects are in custody. Sheriffs will not go into detail on who received the search warrant nor have they publicly named a person of interest.

          Anyone with information on Bernstein’s death is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000.



          Photo Credit: Courtesy of Family

          Fire Sparks Evacuation, Long Lines at Newark Airport

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          A transformer caught fire underneath a terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport Friday morning, forcing officials to evacuate a smoke filled concourse wing and put the airport on backup generators.

          Travelers snaked around the ticketing areas of Terminal C on Friday afternoon as massive security screening delays built up following the fire that sent a column of flames spewing from the ground underneath the C1 wing about 11 a.m. A spokesman for United Airlines, the only airline that has flights out of the terminal, said the delays were primarily because screening stations were shut down for some amount of time after the fire. 

          The airport said in a tweet that the fire was also causing delays for arriving passengers hoping to pick up luggage just a week after a spate of mishaps caused tens of thousands of flyers to become separated from their bags at JFK Airport.

          The airport said in a series of tweets that no one was injured in the blaze, and that utility company PSE&G had full power restored by mid-afternoon. Images posted to social media showed normally open stores and restaurants shut down while the airport ran on backup power sources.

          [[468328383, C]]

          Despite the evacuation and mounting delays at security lines, air travel tracking service FlightAware reports Newark Airport has the fewest delays and cancellations of the region's three airports as of 2 p.m. But the airport -- as well as JFK Airport -- warned that weather delays could mount as a soaker of a storm system moves through the region

          The airport told passengers to check with United Airlines for the statuses of their flights, as flights scheduled to take off from the C1 wing were rerouted to other gates.

          [[469004853, C]]

          It's not clear what sparked the blaze, but it comes on a day when weather-related issues caused power outages for more than 40,000 customers across northern New Jersey. But the airport or utility didn't immediately comment on whether the fire was caused in part by the weather.


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          Suspect in Fatal Hit-and-Run Fled to Serbia: Bucks Co. DA

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          A Levittown, Bucks County, man was charged Friday in a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist last month, but authorities believe he will be tough to track down: He has allegedly fled to Serbia.

          Ali Hakan Cifter, 35, allegedly drove a Mercedes Benz with Florida license plates that struck and killed Kevin Williams about 8 p.m., Dec. 19, on Bristol Pike near Corson Street in Bristol Township, authorities said.

          Two days after the crash, Cifter allegedly fled to Serbia on a flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

          After arriving overseas, Cifter, who is a native of Turkey, allegedly called Bristol police Dec. 23 and confessed his involvement in the crash, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's office.

          "He told Faight that the victim had jumped out in front of him, and that he had left the scene because he was scared," according to the district attorney's office in a statement online.

          The next day, on Christmas Eve, a sergeant with Bristol police received an email from Cifter "in which Cifter again acknowledged his involvement in the crash," the county DA's office said in the statement. 

          Deputy District Attorney Robert D. James is handling the case and the DA's office said James would work with federal authorities to try having Cifter extradited to the United States to face felony charges in the case.

          James did not immediately respond to emailed questions related to the extradition process.

          Cifter was allegedly racing another vehicle when he struck Williams on the bike, authorities have said.

          The impact killed Williams. He lived less than a block away and was riding home from work at the time, his daughter, Brittany Williams, told NBC10. She saw the wreckage on Tuesday night but didn't realize her father died in the wreck until Wednesday morning.

          "He was right here," she said while in tears. "He was so close to home." 

          Kevin Williams did HVAC work for a company 10 minutes from his home. The deadly crash occurred a block away from where he and his wife raised three children.

          "All of this just right before Christmas and it just, like I would just like the person to come forward and just accept what they did," Brittany Williams said at the time. 



          Photo Credit: PROVIDED
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