Mother Nature is Closing a New Jersey Inlet As Dredging Operation Approved (2024)

FAIRFIELD, N.J. — A YouTube personality known for his high-speed antics across New York City was charged this week in connection with a series of burglaries in New Jersey, just months after being arrested for an unrelated assault in Queens.

Antonio Ginestri, 19, who has gained a substantial following online under the alias “Squeeze.benz,” faces multiple charges, including burglary and conspiracy, after a months-long investigation. Fairfield police announced the charges on Tuesday, linking Ginestri to a string of burglaries that occurred in February.

According to Fairfield Police, officers responded to a burglary at the Speedway gas station on Route 46 East in the early hours of February 6. Surveillance footage revealed a gray SUV fleeing the scene with three individuals inside. Authorities later identified the vehicle as a BMW X7 with stolen New Jersey registration plates, which had been used in similar burglaries across several towns, including Roseland, Secaucus, and Hasbrouck Heights.

The suspects, including Ginestri and a 16-year-old accomplice, were also wanted in connection with other crimes in New York and Connecticut, according to police.

“Ginestri is a well-known social media influencer who goes by the handle ‘Squeeze.Benz,’” said Fairfield Police Public Information Officer Stacy Chiarolanza. “The basis of his channel is to film himself driving hi-end cars in a reckless manner to entice a police response while wearing a full-face helmet to hide his identity. We thank all of the agencies who assisted in putting this case together in order to make an arrest.”

Ginestri’s arrest follows an earlier incident on May 16, when he was taken into custody in Queens. That arrest was tied to a separate assault case stemming from an altercation on February 10 at the Steinway Deli in Long Island City, where the victim was reportedly punched in the head.

UTICA, N.Y. — A 60-year-old Utica man has been arrested in connection with a series of commercial burglaries following an investigation by the Utica Police Department and the Mohawk Valley Crime Analysis Center. Richard Brown was taken into custody on August 14, 2024, by members of the US Marshals NY/NJ Fugitive Task Force.

The investigation began on July 26, 2024, when Utica Police units were dispatched to a store on the 900 block of Eagle Street at approximately 4:00 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found that the front glass window of the store had been broken, and an unknown individual had stolen money and products from inside.

The case was assigned to the Burglary Unit, which, through its investigation, identified Brown as the suspect. The investigation also revealed that this burglary was similar to several other recent commercial burglaries in the area. By analyzing the totality of the crimes, investigators, with assistance from the Mohawk Valley Crime Analysis Center, determined that Brown was responsible for four burglaries in total.

Brown was arrested without incident and transported to the Utica Police Department, where he was initially charged with Burglary in the Third Degree and Petit Larceny. Additional charges related to the other crimes are expected to be filed in the near future.

The Utica Police Department continues to work diligently to protect the community and bring those responsible for criminal activities to justice.

BALTIMORE, Md. — A 17-year-old male was arrested Thursday evening in the Eastern District of Baltimore during an investigation conducted by the Eastern District Action Team. The incident occurred on August 15, 2024, at approximately 6:16 p.m. in the 3200 block of Belair Road.

The investigation led officers to arrest the juvenile and seize a handgun. Due to the severity of the offense, the 17-year-old suspect was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility, where he was charged as an adult.

The Baltimore Police Department continues its commitment to reducing gun violence and ensuring community safety through proactive investigations and enforcement actions.