🌱 Patch AM: How Middlesex County’s ‘Operation Bad Santa’ caught 12 alleged predators

Coffee in hand, Middlesex? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Middlesex County’s ‘Operation Bad Santa’ caught 12 alleged predators
• How a Middlesex freshman is driving a perfect 7-0 bowling start
• Why Middlesex County prosecutors say this Edison stabbing wasn’t random

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and windy, with a high of 44 and low of 26 degrees.
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 45, low: 23.
• Friday: Colder; p.m. snow, up to 1", with a high of 30 and low of 25 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Old Bridge Man Charged In 'Operation Bad Santa' Of Alleged Online Child Luring (patch.com) — Middlesex County residents should know that prosecutors arrested 12 local men, including an Old Bridge resident, in an online sting targeting alleged child luring dubbed “Operation Bad Santa.” Undercover officers posed as minors, and suspects were arrested when they arrived at a decoy residence. Charges include luring and attempted endangering the welfare of a child.
   

• These freshmen have burst onto the N.J. boys bowling scene to begin the 25-26 season (nj.com subscription) — Middlesex High School freshman bowler Reese Casone has powered the Blue Jays to a perfect 7-0 start, averaging 195 and opening his varsity career with three straight 635-plus series. The statewide roundup also spotlights other standout first-year bowlers, but Casone’s early dominance puts Middlesex firmly on the N.J. boys bowling map this winter.
   

• Edison man charged with fatal stabbing of 26-year-old township woman (mycentraljersey.com) — Middlesex County authorities have charged an Edison man with murder after a woman was fatally stabbed at a Grove Avenue home on December 21. Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone says the incident was not random, and the suspect is being held at the county correctional center pending a detention hearing. Residents with information are urged to contact Edison police or the prosecutor’s office.
   

📸 Around Middlesex

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 24

• Library closes at 5:00 p.m.
  New Brunswick Free Public Library , 60 Livingston Ave , New Brunswick
  10:00 am
• Borough Hall Closing at 12 Noon
  Borough of Bound Brook , 230 Hamilton St , Bound Brook
  12:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• The Sr Center is CLOSED in Observance of Christmas
  Township of Bridgewater , 100 Commons Way , Bridgewater
• Library closed
  New Brunswick Free Public Library , 60 Livingston Ave , New Brunswick
• Christmas Day
  Warren Township, NJ Calendar
• Christmas Day Municipal Offices Closed
  Borough of South Plainfield , 2480 Plainfield Avenue , South Plainfield
• Borough Hall Closed
  Borough of Bound Brook , 230 Hamilton St , Bound Brook
• Hip-Hop Step Aerobics
  The YMCA at the Piscataway Community Center , 520 Hoes Ln , Piscataway
  10:00 am
• North Plainfield Boys Varsity Basketball @ Middlesex
  Middlesex High School · Middlesex , NJ , North Plainfield
  5:30 pm

Friday December 26

• Winter Break Drop-In Puzzle Hunt
  Bridgewater branch -
• Guided Wine Tasting at Old York Cellars
  Old York Cellars , 80 Old York Rd , Ringoes
  12:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Middlesex PatchAM possible:

• David A. Abrutyn, M.D. — 908-685-8500
  Sports Medicine, Joint Reconstruction, Shoulder&Knee Surgery
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Men Mentoring Men
  MTHREE is here
• Somerset Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery — 908-222-0070
  A patient-centered plastic surgery practice
• Visionary Homecare — (833) 844-8326
  Holiday special

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

🪧 Patch Classifieds

• The NJ Big Flea Antiques Event Feb.21-22nd looking for vendors!!
  Antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, and so much more wanted! Incentives for new vendors!!! Vintage clothing show incorporated. (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Republic Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Container Shop Supervisor in Middlesex. Apply here.
• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Bound Brook. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Middlesex here.

🗞 Nearby News

Dunellen

• $58M for bodycams : This week in Central Jersey history, Dec. 22-28 (mycentraljersey.com)
• 12 Central Jersey Men Charged In Alleged Child Sex Predator Sting (patch.com)

Piscataway

• Piscataway Police Seek Man Seen Trying Doors at Seward Avenue Home (tapinto.net)
• Winners Announced in Piscataway's 2025 Holiday House Decorating Contest (tapinto.net)
• 12 charged, including teacher, in Central Jersey child sex sting (mycentraljersey.com)

Warren

Ok Middlesex! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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