Sussex County man allegedly stalked victim, made threats and false reports in Hackettstown
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (Warren County) — A Newton man was arrested and charged after allegedly stalking a victim, making false 9-1-1 reports, issuing death threats, and vandalizing a vehicle in Hackettstown, according to police.
On Sunday, April 20, at around 1:57 a.m., a police officer conducting a property check at the Douglas A. Blake Memorial Field parking lot observed a vehicle parked after hours in violation of a local ordinance, police said.
While on scene, officers saw a man—later identified as William J. Wright Jr., 32, of Newton—emerge from a wooded area adjacent to the parking lot, showing visible signs of having traveled through dense brush, police said.
An investigation revealed that Wright had been in the area earlier in the weekend and allegedly made multiple false 9-1-1 reports involving a known victim. He also reportedly sent threatening messages via social media, including threats to kill, and demonstrated prior knowledge of the victim’s personal information and whereabouts. Police said Wright also used a utility knife to scratch the exterior paint of the victim’s vehicle.
Wright was taken into custody and charged with fourth-degree stalking, third-degree terroristic threats, fourth-degree false reports to law enforcement, and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was transported to the Warren County Correctional Facility and has since been released pending a Pre-Indictment Conference.
