Fatal Fire, Multiple Crashes, Grenade Found Near Synagogue: NJ Weekend

NEW JERSEY — Two people are dead and another seriously injured in several unrelated incidents that occurred the weekend before Thanksgiving. Here are the details:

Man Killed In Fatal House Fire

A man died in a fire early Saturday morning in a house in Bogota, the Bergen County Prosecutor's office said.

The Bogota police responded to a report of a fire around 5:59 a.m. Saturday, and found an unconscious man inside the home, located at 320 River Road. He was later pronounced dead at Hackensack University Medical Center.

A woman escaped the home before first responders could arrive. She was evaluated at the scene. She declined to go to the hospital, prosecutors said.

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Bogota Police Department are investigating.

Bergen Man, 31, Killed In PA Crash

A 31-year-old Bergen County man died Friday morning after a crash in eastern Pennsylvania, according to officials.

Jerome Derenzo was driving a pickup truck westbound on Sunbury Road in Barry Township (Schuylkill County), Pennsylvania state police said.

Shortly before 1 a.m., officials said he lost control of the vehicle, went off the road, and struck an embankment. First responders pronounced him dead at the scene.

Grenade Found Near Synagogue

A grenade was found attached to a utility pole in Lakewood on Sunday, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

The grenade, described only as "a device" by the prosecutor's office, was reported to Lakewood police about 7:45 a.m. and was found in the area of 4th Street and Forest Avenue, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer said.

The New Jersey State Police Bomb Disposal Unit responded and secured the device.

"The device was found to be inert and non-explosive," authorities said. "There is no danger to the public and this remains an active and ongoing investigation."

Driver Smashes Into Restaurant Storefront

A 30-year-old driver is facing several charges after he crashed into a Haddonfield restaurant's storefront in a multi-town rampage, authorities said.

Christian Capacchione's vehicle struck The British Chip Shop's exterior Friday on Kings Highway, officials said. One hour later, he got into another crash in Audubon and fled the scene on foot, police said.

According to police, Capacchione attempted to break into several homes on the 100 block of S Barrett Avenue in Audubon. Responding officers found him running through one of the home's backyards. As law enforcement made their way to the yard, Capacchione tried breaking into a home as he stood on its elevated deck, authorities said.

Two Audubon officers sustained minor injuries when Capacchione initially resisted arrest, police said.

The preliminary investigation found Capacchione, of National Park, entered or tried to enter six homes and one vehicle in Audubon, officials said.

Capacchione's charges include terroristic threats, burglary, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest. He was placed in the Camden County Jail.

Fishing Boat Sinks After Removal From Jersey Shore

A fishing boat that ran aground in Point Pleasant Beach on Friday has sunk not far from where it came ashore.

The Susan Rose, a 77-foot trawler, was pulled off the beach about 1 a.m. Sunday, according to John Hawryluk, a tug boat captain with Weeks Marine and the owner of Capt. John's Dive and Marine Services.

"Unfortunately it began to take on water, roll over, and sank about 10 minutes later roughly 500-1,000 feet from its original location on the beach," Hawryluk said.

The boat had run aground just south of Manasquan Inlet about 5 a.m. Friday and had been sitting on the beach getting battered by waves. Four people were on board when the boat ran aground on Friday. One was able to get off, but three others had to be rescued by authorities.

The grounding remains under investigation.

Pedestrian Struck, Suffers Serious Head Injuries

A pedestrian suffered serious head injuries after he was struck while crossing the road in Hopewell on Saturday night.

The 48-year-old man from Hopewell was crossing East Broad Street at the intersection with Elm Street when he was hit by a vehicle heading west shortly before 6:30 p.m. he was taken to the hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition, according to NJ.com.

The driver of the vehicle, a 61-year-old Lambertville man, remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. The investigation is ongoing.