HIGHTSTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–Hightstown Police were investigating a 9-1-1 call earlier for a missing teenager. It escalated around 5:50 p.m. when the Hightstown Fire Company was dispatched to the Peddie Lake in the area of Main Street for a “water rescue” due to the nature of the call mutual aid was dispatched from several area fire departments and rescue squads.
The search concentrated around the Peddie Lake Bridge on East Ward Street. Hightstown Police and Peddie Security searched the area and the banks of the lake and the school campus. Fire Departments deployed boats to search the area of the bridge. The Mercer County Sherriff’s Office searched with their drone.
After approximately a two hour search with boats, divers, drones and by foot along the lake nothing was found at the lake. The search was called off just before dark.
Responding departments include: Hightstown Fire Company, Robbinsville Township Fire Department, Plainsboro Fire Department, Trenton Fire Department, Hamilton Township Fire Department, West Windsor Fire Company, East Windsor Fire Company, Hightstown EMS, Robbinsville EMS, East Windsor EMS, Signal 22 and others.
Hightstown Police are continuing the investigation.
Update: Hightstown Police say they are investigating this as a false call. The investigation is still active and when more information becomes available they will let us know.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–West Windsor Police and West Windsor Emergency Services responded to a serious MVA on U.S. Route 1 near Carnegie Boulevard around 1:00 p.m. The crash also sent Capital Health Paramedics and the Princeton First Aid and Rescue squad to the scene. The victim was rushed to the hospital by medical personnel.
West Windsor Police sent a notice to avoid the area of Route 1 North Bound at Carnegie Boulevard for an accident investigation.
West Windsor Police are investigating the crash. No further information is available at this time.
Once official information becomes available the story will be updated.
Crash investigation on US 1 northbound at Carnegie Center Blvd (West Windsor Twp) 2 Left lanes of 4 lanes closed 10-15 minute delay use caution https://t.co/HC5JlXYzzd
Crash with Injuries on US 1 northbound North of Quaker Bridge Rd (West Windsor Twp) 2 Left lanes of 3 lanes closed 10-15 minute delay use caution https://t.co/NMRY76ZaoN
Crash investigation on US 1 northbound at Carnegie Center Blvd (West Windsor Twp) 2 Left lanes of 4 lanes closed 10-15 minute delay use caution https://t.co/ad9xKzjzxZ
Crash investigation on US 1 southbound at Carnegie Center Blvd (West Windsor Twp) 1 Left lane of 4 lanes closed 5-10 minute delay use caution https://t.co/0Xh09rnF74
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police, Trenton Fire Department and TEMS responded to a vehicle crash at the intersection of Spruce Street and Pennsylvania Avenue at 9:42 a.m. TEMS treated at least one person on scene and it was unclear if anyone was transported to the hospital.
Trenton Police Department is investigating the crash. No further details are available at this time.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 8:30 a.m. a dump truck traveling north on Route 31 lost control and turned over at the circle. The truck’s load spilled on the side of the highway and caused traffic delays in the area. Hopewell Township Police, Hopewell Township Fire Departments and EMS responded to the scene. It was unclear if anyone was injured.
Hopewell Township Police are investigating the crash. No further information is available at this time.
Overturned Dump Truck on NJ 31 northbound North of CR 546/Washington Crossing Pennington Rd (Hopewell Twp) All lanes and right shoulder closed intermittently use caution https://t.co/5ECAXrzS92
Overturned Dump Truck on NJ 31 northbound North of CR 546/Washington Crossing Pennington Rd (Hopewell Twp) All lanes closed 5-10 minute delay use caution https://t.co/QhMeyCU0Mn
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 12:11 p.m. a vehicle lost control traveling in the west bound direction on I-195 just past exit 11 Imlaystown and overturned. NJ State Police, Hope Fire Company of Allentown – Upper Freehold, and Allentown EMS – Capital Heath responded to the scene. Upon arrival the vehicle was already up righted. It was reported that the driver refused medical treatment.
NJ State Police is investigating the crash. No further information is available.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Wednesday for Mercer and Burlington Counties.
A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children…people suffering from asthma… heart disease or other lung diseases…and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
NJZ015-019-027-220400-
Mercer-Northwestern Burlington-Southeastern Burlington-
850 AM EDT Wed Jul 21 2021
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 21...
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has
issued a code orange air quality alert Wednesday for Mercer
and Burlington Counties.
A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution
concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for
sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children...people
suffering from asthma... heart disease or other lung
diseases...and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can
be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
For more information on ground-level ozone and fine
particles...visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/
$$
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Browns Mills NJ, Marlton NJ, Croydon PA until 4:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/mJeVYkd1CU
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ (BURLINGTON)–On Monday, July 19, 2021, just after midnight Mount Laurel Patrol Officers were dispatched to the Super 8 hotel on Fellowship Road for a report of a disorderly female in the lobby. Arriving officers located the intoxicated woman in the hotel parking lot. She was identified as Elizabeta M Trzeciak, age 46, of South River, NJ. Officers determined that she was staying at another nearby hotel and she was turned over to a family member. Several hours later a video depicting Ms. Tzreciak’s behavior was turned over to the police. The video and its content were not provided or mentioned during the initial investigation. The video showed Ms. Trzeciak verbally berating the front desk clerk using profanity and racial slurs. She is also seen knocking items off of the front desk and throwing them at the victim. Based on the evidence from the video and again interviewing the victim, Ms. Trzeciak was charged with bias intimidation, assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct after a review by an Assistant Prosecutor from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. A judge ordered charges placed on a warrant.
NOTE: The New Jersey criminal code does not have a listed offense titled hate crime. In New Jersey, we charge crimes like this under 2C:16-1 Bias Intimidation. In other words, a hate crime in New Jersey is called Bias Intimidation.
Mount Laurel Police Department encourages anyone who is a victim of a crime to please contact our police department. For any emergencies dial 9-1-1 and for non-emergencies contact central dispatch at 856-234-8300 or the confidential tip line 856-234-1414 Ext. 1599
Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–This afternoon a tractor trailer on Lower Ferry Road took wires down closing the roadway. Avoid the area until repairs can be made. Ewing Township Police, Ewing Township Fire Department, West Trenton Fire Company on scene.
Avoid Lower Ferry Road between Parkside Avenue and Stuyvesant Avenue.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mayor W. Reed Gusciora today announced that the Trenton Animal Shelter and Trenton Animals Rock will be hosting a free rabies and parvo vaccine clinic for city dogs at Unity Square Park on Hamilton Avenue in Trenton on July 24 between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The clinic will offer vaccines for rabies and parvovirus, a dangerous gastro-intestinal illness that has been on the rise in Trenton over the last few months. There is no registration for the clinic, but dog owners must have a valid Trenton I.D. to qualify.
“In recent months, it has become increasingly clear that vaccines are just as important for our canine companions as they are for us,” said Mayor Gusciora. “Trenton Animals Rock and the Trenton Animal Shelter are taking incredible steps to ensure the health and safety of all city pets, and we thank them for making these services available at no charge to our residents.”
In addition to the July 24 event, ongoing vaccine clinics are available for all City dogs at the Trenton Animal Shelter on 72 Escher Street every Thursday and Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Trenton Animals Rock is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that has worked with the City of Trenton since June 2018. It provides funding for medical care, training, and boarding for injured, abandoned, and abused dogs, and is the key entity connecting homeless dogs to households throughout New Jersey and beyond.
Since Trenton Animals Rock began managing the shelter’s behavior assessment and foster program in June 2019, the euthanasia rate at the shelter decreased from 47 percent to less than 10 percent, putting the shelter on track to become a no-kill shelter for the first time.
Any residents with questions about Parvo or the vaccine can contact Officer Jose Munoz at 609-989-3254 or jmunoz@trentonnj.org.
Responding Officers Save Victim’s Life by Transporting Him Directly to Emergency Room
July 21, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Interim Police Director Steve E. Wilson today announced that two Trenton men have been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and numerous weapons charges following a shooting and ensuing car chase that took place early Sunday morning.
Hassan Wheeler, 28, and Jarron R. Colvin, 27, both of Trenton, were arrested on July 18, 2021.
Wheeler was charged with criminal attempt homicide, aggravated assault shooting, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose, possession of prohibited weapons and devices, and being a person prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Colvin was charged with complicity to criminal attempt homicide, complicity to aggravated assault, complicity to aggravated assault, complicity to unlawful possession of a handgun, complicity to possession of weapon for unlawful purpose, and complicity to possession of weapons and devices.
On Sunday, July 18, 2021, at 2:00 a.m., patrol officers and detectives from the Street Crimes Unit heard several gunshots in the area of Locust Street and Chambers Street. Officer Nelson Nieves and Rudy Lopez observed a male victim collapse on Chambers Street near Locust Street.
Officers also observed a vehicle fleeing from the area on Chambers Street and notified other units. Street Crimes Unit Detectives Michael Gettler and Gregory Woods – already in the area on an unrelated gun arrest – located the suspect vehicle and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop. A motor vehicle pursuit ensued throughout the City of Trenton and came to an end in Hamilton Township after the suspect vehicle struck a parked car.
Two suspects exited the vehicle. Wheeler was immediately taken into custody by Detective Cornell Huff. Colvin fled on foot and was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit and found hiding under a pick-up truck.
Meanwhile, Officer Nieves and Rudy Lopez transported the victim to the Capital Health Regional Medical Center. The victim had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was listed in critical but stable condition.
“On behalf of the TPD and the city of Trenton, I commend the officers and detectives for their outstanding work in this case,” said Director Wilson. “Not only did they quickly pursue and apprehend two dangerous suspects who were involved in a brazen late-night shooting, they also ensured that the victim got the medical attention he desperately needed.”
These charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. This is an ongoing investigation.
Jarron R. Colvin
Hassan Wheeler
Hassan Wheeler, 28, and Jarron R. Colvin, 27, both of Trenton, were arrested on July 18, 2021. Wheeler was charged with criminal attempt homicide, aggravated assault shooting, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose, possession of prohibited weapons and devices, and being a person prohibited from possessing a firearm. Colvin was charged with complicity to criminal attempt homicide, complicity to aggravated assault, complicity to aggravated assault, complicity to unlawful possession of a handgun, complicity to possession of weapon for unlawful purpose, and complicity to possession of weapons and devices.
NEWARK, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man today admitted he defrauded the Department of Veterans Affairs of over $200,0000 in survivor’s pension benefits over 12 years, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Melvin Greenspan, 72, of Perrineville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conversion of government funds.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs provided survivor’s pension benefits to Greenspan’s mother because of Greenspan’s father’s prior military service. Those benefits, intended only for surviving spouses of military members, were made through electronic funds transfers into Greenspan’s mother’s bank account beginning in September 1971 and continuing after that date. After Greenspan’s mother died in 2006, Greenspan did not notify the Department of Veterans Affairs about his mother’s death and made withdrawals of the survivor’s pension benefits from his mother’s bank account between 2006 and 2018, totaling $201,166.
The charge of conversion of government funds carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.
21-323
Defense counsel: Vincent LaPaglia Esq., Hoboken, New Jersey
A Mercer County grand jury returned an 11-count indictment this week charging Quintin Thompson and Emoni Henderson with offenses related to the murder of Omar Billups in Trenton in November 2020 and a subsequent burglary in Hamilton Township, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Thompson, 25, of Hamilton, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of first-degree robbery, one count of third-degree theft by unlawful taking, one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. Both Thompson and Henderson, 23, of Trenton, are charged with one count of third-degree burglary, one count of third-degree theft by unlawful taking, one count of fourth-degree possession of hollow-nose bullets and one count of fourth-degree possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine.
During the course of the investigation, task force detectives located area surveillance footage from various sources and spoke with witnesses. They learned that Billups had been driving a white Jeep Cherokee rental vehicle and that Billups had been with Thompson in that vehicle on Friday afternoon, November 28. The white Jeep Cherokee was located and secured by police on South Westfield Avenue on December 4.
Further investigation by detectives tied a second vehicle to Billups’ homicide. At approximately 5 p.m. on Friday, a black Mitsubishi Uplander was seen arriving at the Winding Brook Apartment Complex on Bradford Drive in Hamilton. An individual with similar physical characteristics to Thompson is seen exiting the Mitsubishi and walking toward one of the buildings. That individual returns a short time later and gets back in the Uplander, which then leaves the area.
On November 29, 2020, around 9:10 a.m., Hamilton police responded to an apartment on Bradford Avenue for a reported burglary. When a resident returned from work Saturday morning, she found someone had rummaged through the belongings in the bedroom. The only item missing was a shoe box that belonged to Billups containing a large unspecified amount of cash. Further investigation revealed that Billups had a key to the Bradford Avenue apartment. Both Thompson and Henderson are charged in connection to the burglary and theft of cash in Hamilton.
Thompson is being held in the Mercer County Correction Center pending trial.
Assistant Prosecutor Michael Grillo presented the case to the grand jury.
Despite having been indicted, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
TRENTON – EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–At 7:48 a.m. Ewing Police dispatch was notified by NJ Human Services Police that a male walked away from Trenton Psychiatric Hospital (TPH). The investigation revealed that Angel Sariol, 03/30/1972, 6′ 1″ 173 pounds, short hair, last seen wearing a dark blue t-shirt, light blue jeans, and white sneakers, walked away from the facility at approximately 7:32 AM, heading toward Cadwalader Park. Sariol was being held at TPH on a non-criminal hold. Information received from Human Services Police is that Sariol is not considered a danger to the public. Human Services Police have entered Sariol into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a missing person. Sariol has ties to Bergen and Union counties. If you see Angel Sariol, please do not approach him, and call 9-1-1
Angel Sariol, 03/30/1972, 6′ 1″ 173 pounds, short hair, last seen wearing a dark blue t-shirt, light blue jeans, and white sneakers, walked away from the facility at approximately 7:32 AM, heading toward Cadwalader Park. Sariol was being held at TPH on a non-criminal hold. Information received from Human Services Police is that Sariol is not considered a danger to the public.
Prior articles found online via Google search:
Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Press Release from March 27, 2018 as found on the Ridgewood Blog website:
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of ANGEL SARIOL (DOB: 3/30/1972; single; and employed as a custodian) of 22-24 Ward Street, Apartment 2H, Hackensack, NJ, on charges of Terroristic Threats and False Public Alarm. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and members of the Rochelle Park Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert Flannelly.
From Monday, March 19, 2018, through Wednesday, March 21, 2018, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit received information from no fewer than 19 municipal police departments in Bergen County about a substantially similar series of phone calls that they received during that three-day period from an anonymous caller. During many of these calls, the unknown caller stated that police officers from those towns would be murdered. The ensuing investigation, led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and Rochelle Park Police Department, revealed that Angel SARIOL used technology to disguise his calling line identity and placed the phone calls.
As a result of the investigation, Angel SARIOL was arrested in Hackensack on Thursday, March 22, 2018 and charged with one count of False Public Alarm, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-3B, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Terroristic Threats During a State of Emergency, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3A, a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Terroristic Threats, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3A, a 3rd degree crime. Angel SARIOL was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a hearing in Central Judicial Processing Court on March 23, 2018.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would like to thank the Rochelle Park Police Department, Hackensack Police Department, Hasbrouck Heights Police Department, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and Union City Police Department for their assistance with this investigation. In addition, Acting Prosecutor Calo would also like to thank all the agencies that provided investigative leads in this matter, including:
Wood-Ridge Police Department Hasbrouck Heights Police Department Paramus Police Department Park Ridge Police Department Wyckoff Police Department Elmwood Park Police Department Maywood Police Department Rochelle Park Police Department Waldwick Police Department Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department Saddle River Police Department Harrington Park Police Department Woodcliff Lake Police Department Hackensack Police Department Oradell Police Department Demarest Police Department Saddle Brook Police Department River Edge Police Department Weehawken Police Department (Hudson County)
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