PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 49-year-old Pemberton Township woman has been indicted for creating a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her husband’s cremation and funeral, then leaving his body in the morgue and using the donations for living expenses.
A grand jury indicted Patricia Clark on one count of Theft by Failure to Make Disposition (Third Degree). The indictment was returned August 13 and signed by Prosecutor Coffina. An arraignment will be held soon in Superior Court.
The investigation began after family members contacted the New Jersey State Police Red Lion Station and indicated the decedent remained in a morgue even though money had been raised for cremation and funeral expenses.
The investigation revealed that Clark created the fundraiser after her disabled husband passed away in April 2019.
“Please, if there is anybody out there that can make a donation to help with the expenses I would greatly appreciate it,” she expressed on the GoFundMe campaign’s web page. “His children would also appreciate it.”
The investigation revealed that during a two-month period, 28 people contributed to the cause, raising $2,050 of the $3,000 goal.
The investigation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police. The case was presented to the grand jury by BCPO Assistant Prosecutor Eric Cornog.
An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Jose Serrano-Robles, 43, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was charged with Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b; and Being a Certain Person Not to Possess Weapons in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b(1), in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in the early morning hours of August 16, 2021, in Seaside Heights.
On August 16, 2021, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Seaside Heights Police Officers responded to a 911 call for reports of gunshots fired at the La Fontana Motel on Grant Avenue. Responding Officers found a 51-year-old male victim with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of his injuries, and is reported to be in stable condition.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau revealed that Serrano-Robles and the victim had been sharing a room at the La Fontana Motel. A search of the motel room yielded two handguns. The investigation further revealed that Serrano-Robles shot the victim and then fled the area. Detectives from the Seaside Heights Police Department located Serrano-Robles at the Toms River Bus Station, where he was taken into custody without incident. Serrano-Robles is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau and Patrol Division, Toms River Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Serrano-Robles’ swift apprehension.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
Photos and video by: Ryan Mack, Jersey Shore Fire Response
MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Monroe Township firefighters were dispatched to the 1st Block of Larkspur Lane for a fire in a townhome at 6:42 p.m. First due apparatus reported a working fire on the second floor and a 2nd Alarm was transmitted sending additional aid from all Monroe Township Fire Companies, Plainsboro and Hightstown to the scene. Firefighters stretched a 1 3/4″ hand line to the second floor and extinguished a well involved bedroom fire bringing the fire under control in 15 minutes from dispatch at 6:57 p.m.
The fire is under investigation by the Monroe Township Fire Marshal.
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–The Bordentown Township Police Department announces the arrest of four (4) males for traveling to the Township in a stolen vehicle for the purpose of committing auto burglaries.
This incident originated at 3:54 a.m. when a resident of Hattaras Ct. contacted police and reported that a group of males were burglarizing her vehicle. The resident then advised that these males left the area in a red SUV and officers received a second call reporting that this same group was now trying to burglarize a vehicle on Lexington Rd.
Officers located the SUV on Yorktown Rd. and attempted to stop such which led to all four (4) occupants abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot. Officers were able to apprehend one (1) of the subjects during the foot chase but the other three (3) evaded capture. A perimeter was then quickly established and community notification was made via our Nixle emergency notification system.
At 7:30 a.m. a resident contacted police after observing the three (3) remaining suspects on Holloway Lane and all three (3) were then located hiding in a homeowner’s shed on Matthew Court.
Further investigation found that the red SUV, a 2020 Mazda CX-5, had been stolen from New Brunswick earlier this morning. All four (4) subjects were then charged with burglary, conspiracy, receiving stolen property and resisting arrest by flight.
The subjects are identified as:
Ikeem Thomas, age – 18, Broadway Ave. Newark, NJ. Committed to the Burlington County Jail.
Tysean Brown, age – 21, Adams Lane New Brunswick NJ. Committed to the Burlington County Jail.
Tash Augustine, age – 21, Crosspointe Dr. East Brunswick NJ. Released on summons complaints.
Josiah Talbert, age – 18, Perry Dr. North Brunswick NJ. Released on summons complaints.
The following agencies provided invaluable assistance during this incident: New Jersey State Police, Bordentown City PD, Mansfield Township PD, Florence Township PD, Cherry Hill Police K9 Unit, Bordentown Township Fire District #2, Willingboro Fire Department and Cinnaminson Fire Department.
Any residents who have further information or home security video of this group can contact Det. Anthony Nagle at 609-298-4300, ext. 2142, or via email at anagle@bordentowntownshippd.com.
Chief Brian Pesce of the BTPD commended the many officers who participated in this investigation as well as the numerous residents that provided assistance.
“The initial suspicious behavior of this group was quickly reported by several residents and then others took heed of our Nixle alert and provided us with vital information which led to their apprehension. Community policing is not just programs and events for our agency, it also involves being transparent with our residents and keeping them informed so they can better protect themselves. We encourage everyone to opt into our Nixle notification system so they can receive future alerts of this nature by texting their zip code to 888777.”
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The New Jersey State Police, Wall Township Police Department, and Brick Township Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance with identifying a man suspected of impersonated a police officer.
On August 1, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the victim stopped her car in Brick Township because she thought a police officer was pulling her over. The suspect was driving behind the victim in a black, older model Ford Crown Victoria when he activated a blue dome light on the front dashboard.
When the victim pulled over, the suspect approached her vehicle and identified himself as a police officer. After a brief exchange, she became suspicious and asked him for identification. He failed to provide identification and instead instructed her to exit the vehicle. She refused to exit and the suspect attempted to remove her from the vehicle, before she fled the scene and reported the incident.
During the investigation, detectives discovered that a similar incident occurred on August 3 at approximately 9:45 p.m. in Wall Township. Another female victim reported that a man in black, older model Ford Crown Victoria pulled her over and impersonated a police officer.
The suspect is described as a white male, 40-50 years old, with long red hair pulled back in a pony tail, a red scruffy beard, and tattoos on both arms and the back of his hands. He was last seen wearing black BDU pants, a light blue short-sleeved bloused shirt with the word “police” on the front and non-descriptive patches on the arms that also said “police” but no specific department. He was also wearing a duty belt and a holster with what appeared to be black handgun.
A detective with the State Police Forensic Imaging Unit created a composite sketch of the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Christopher Mason of the Wall Township Police Department at 732-449-4500 ext. 1192 or Detective Michael Bennett of the Brick Township Police Department at 732-262-1100.
Bellmawr Borough, NJ (CAMDEN) – A New Jersey State Trooper and a State Police K-9 were injured while attempting to arrest a knife-wielding man following a pursuit earlier today.
Based on the preliminary investigation, at approximately 2:13 p.m., troopers from Bellmawr Station responded to the report of a shirtless, knife-wielding man standing outside of his vehicle on Interstate 295 in the area of exit 28 in Bellmawr Borough.
When troopers arrived, the man entered his vehicle and drove away. When troopers attempted to stop the vehicle with lights and sirens, the suspect continued to flee, traveling northbound on Interstate 295. A short time later, the driver exited Interstate 295 at exit 36A onto State Highway 73 before entering the New Jersey Turnpike at Interchange 4.
Troopers continued to pursue the suspect as he traveled northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike until the suspect vehicle was disabled at milepost 37.1. Troopers ordered the driver to exit the vehicle, but he refused, so a State Police K-9 was utilized to assist troopers entering the vehicle to apprehend the suspect. As they attempted to gain control of the suspect, he stabbed the K-9 with a knife. At this time, the troopers removed the injured K-9 from the vehicle and the suspect exited the vehicle. As the troopers arrested the suspect, the man struck a trooper with a flashlight.
The K-9 was taken to an area animal hospital and was last listed in stable condition. The trooper sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On August 15, 2021 at approximately 3:17 PM, Hamilton Police were dispatched to the area of the AT&T store located on the 600 block of Marketplace Boulevard on a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival Officers spoke to the victim who stated he went to the area to talk to the suspect regarding a verbal altercation that was started online. The victim was behind the AT&T store when the suspect came out and got into a fighting stance. He was also holding a screwdriver. The victim swung at the suspect and missed. He then took the suspect to the ground and felt himself being stabbed several times. The victim was stabbed on his left side of his chest, back of his neck, and left arm with the screwdriver. He was transported to Capital Health at Fuld for further treatment and is in stable condition.
The suspect who fled the scene was identified as Jmaurie Tucker, 24, of Chesterfield. He was charged with Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Joe Ialacci of the Hamilton Police Division’s Criminal Investigations Section at 609-689-5822 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at 609-581-4008.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–A crash on Route 130 sent two vehicles crashing into a Wendy’s restaurant leaving two people injured. At 1:00 pm a 2008 Toyota Corolla was headed southbound on Route 130 near Melrich Road when it left the roadway, drove across the grass of a business, struck a berm on the property of Wendy’s restaurant at 2533 Route 130, and became airborne. The vehicle was launched through the parking lot and struck a 2017 Audi that was waiting in the drive-thru. Both vehicles were pushed into the building and outside tables. A family dining outside narrowly missed being struck. The force of the impact shattered the restaurant windows and sent glass throughout the interior. Despite being crowded with customers and staff none of the people inside the Wendy’s were injured. The Monmouth Junction Fire Department arrived and had to stabilize the Toyota before extricating the driver of the Toyota. South Brunswick EMS transported the driver to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in stable condition. A juvenile in the Audi also complained of pain and was taken by family members to an area hospital.
South Brunswick Chief Raymond Hayducka said, “This is nothing short of a miracle that no one was seriously injured or killed in this crash. To think it was the middle of the day, people were eating both inside and outside and none of them were injured. The building was damaged to the point it can’t be used but everyone eating was able to walk away.” The South Brunswick Building Department ruled the structure needed to be closed pending a detailed examination.
South Brunswick Police Traffic Safety Bureau is investigating the crash. Preliminary indications are the driver of the Toyota may have suffered a medical episode prior to the crash.
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