Man Robs, Assaults Woman Behind Church: 5 NJ Stories You Need To Read

Good evening, New Jersey Patch readers! We've assembled some of the most share-worthy stories from the state for today, just for you.

Here are the top five stories from New Jersey:

1. Videos have been released and an investigation continues into a blaze on a cargo ship that killed two Newark firefighters last week. The fire aboard a ship carrying more than 1,000 vehicles and 157 containers broke out on the evening of July 5. Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks Jr. died after they were trapped inside the vessel. (Read more on Patch.)

2. Actress Lorraine Bracco will return to the state where "The Sopranos" was set as part of a star-studded horror convention. Bracco starred as Jennifer Melfi, the psychiatrist of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) and is also known for a role in "Goodfellas." She will appear at Monster-Mania Con in South Jersey. (Read more on Patch.)

3. The Iraqi government has opened an investigation after a Shiite militia kidnapped a woman who was in the country to work on her doctorate and academic research on behalf of Princeton University. Elizabeth Tsurkov is an Israeli-Russian PhD student. (Read more on Patch.)

4. For the tenth consecutive year, a statewide poll has determined the state's "favorite beach." Check out the winners from the four coastal counties, as well as which Cape May County spot was the overall winner. (Read more on Patch.)

5. Police are looking for a man who reportedly grabbed a woman from behind while she was walking a path behind a church in Bridgewater, and stole her phone. The victim said she was on the path when the suspect came up behind her and placed his hands over her eyes and mouth, resulting in a struggle. (Read more on Patch.)