Man faked brain cancer to get donations and food, New Jersey police say

HILLSDALE, N.J. -- A man from New Jersey claimed to have a brain tumor in order to collect donations from others, police said.

Officers in Hillsdale arrested 29-year-old Joseph O'Connell, of Washington Township, on Thursday. He's charged with theft by deception.

Police said O'Connell, who is unmarried and unemployed, solicited donations to help him in his fight against a cancerous brain tumor.

Someone tipped off police that O'Connell's illness was not legitimate and their investigation revealed that he was not ill, but was merely soliciting donations and food for his own personal use.

Following his arrest, O'Connell was given a summons and released.