Day: August 19, 2021

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County

Hamilton Township Prepares for COVID-19 Booster Vaccinations

August 19, 2021

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Township Division of Health is prepared to provide residents with an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as well as booster shots once the Food and Drug Administration gives approval.

Announced earlier this week, the CDC recommends that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. These individuals include people who have been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood, have received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system, received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system, moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome), advanced or untreated HIV infection, or active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response.

Residents qualifying as being immunocompromised may contact the Division of Health, or walk into an upcoming vaccination clinic, including this week at the St. Gregory the Great Family Festival through August 21st. No medical proofs or documentation is required to show an individual meets the medical criteria.  

“With the delta variant on the rise and the need for additional vaccination doses being announced, our Division of Health staff continue to answer the call each and every day. Their service and commitment to the public health of our community has never faltered,” said Mayor Jeff Martin. “The Township holds vaccination clinics each week, including home visits for our most vulnerable, and will continue to provide this service for as long as it takes.”

Yesterday, public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and President Biden announced that beginning the week of September 20th, all Americans will be eligible to get a COVID-19 booster shot eight months after they received their second vaccine dose. 

Hamilton Township Health Officer, Christopher Hellwig stated, “The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United State continue to be remarkably effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. It is critical that unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people get their primary series of vaccines to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 and its more serve outcomes. Nearly all the cases of severe disease, hospitalization, and death continue to occur among those not yet vaccinated at all.”

Residents may contact the Hamilton Township Division of Health for more information on COVID-19 and vaccination at (609) 890-3884, (609) 890-3825 or email covidvaccine@hamiltonnj.com. Information on Hamilton vaccination clinics can be found on our website, www.HamiltonNJ.com

Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County

Tuckerton Man Indicted For Attempted Murder

August 19, 2021

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 19, 2021, Donald Rutter, 52, of Tuckerton, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on charges of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1), and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5c(2), in connection with a shooting incident involving bodily injury which occurred during the evening hours of January 5, 2021 in Little Egg Harbor Township.

On January 5, 2021, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Little Egg Harbor Township Police were dispatched to Jarvis Marine on Radio Road in response to a 911 call which related that an individual had been shot. Responding Officers found Thomas Jarvis, 55, of Little Egg Harbor, with an apparent gunshot wound to his midsection. Mr. Jarvis was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. Mr. Jarvis was treated for his injuries and eventually released from the hospital.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit revealed that Rutter was, in fact, the individual who shot Mr. Jarvis. An exhaustive search of the surrounding area by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, United States Marshals Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Tuckerton Police Department, was unsuccessful in locating Rutter in the aftermath of the shooting. As such, a warrant was issued for Rutter’s arrest.

On January 28, 2021, Rutter was ultimately located in Atlantic City and taken into custody, without incident, by the United States Marshals Service. He has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Kaitlyn Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police, United States Marshals Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Tuckerton Police Department, for their combined and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Rutter’s apprehension and today’s indictment.

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).

  • Donald Rutter, 52
 Donald Rutter, 52, of Tuckerton, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on charges of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1), and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5c(2), in connection with a shooting incident involving bodily injury which occurred during the evening hours of January 5, 2021 in Little Egg Harbor Township.

Mercer County, Trenton

Trenton City Council Passes Cannabis Ordinance; Statement From Mayor Gusciora

August 19, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mayor Gusciora Statement on City Council Passing Cannabis Ordinance:

We’re excited with City Council’s decision to pass the Cannabis Ordinance, particularly the amendments increasing the number of dispensaries to 10 and allowing businesses to operate in the downtown area, both of which were extremely important to this administration. These changes will increase opportunities for local Trenton cannabis businesses and attract crucial investment where it is needed the most.

But this success would not be possible without the extensive public input we received from our residents and the business partners eager to bring their expertise and employment opportunities to New Jersey’s Capital City. After two planning board meetings and two extensive City Council meetings – including the large turnout we saw just today – residents from across the city made their voices heard and demanded that our city government not allow this unique opportunity to pass us by.

While its final form will likely evolve as we continue to incorporate public feedback and ensure the cannabis industry benefits residents in all four wards, there is no doubt that this ordinance will pave the way for more jobs, revenue, and traffic to our local restaurants and shops. We thank the five councilmembers who voted today to put Trenton first. 

File Photos from January 1, 2021 where NJWeedman held a Grand Opening Party see story here: NJWeedman Opens First Citizen Dispensary Sells Marijuana In Trenton
File Photos from January 1, 2021 where NJWeedman held a Grand Opening Party see story here: NJWeedman Opens First Citizen Dispensary Sells Marijuana In Trenton
Mercer County, Trenton

Update: Shooting Homicide in Trenton Under Investigation

August 19, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a shooting homicide in Trenton, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.

Trenton police responded to Ditmar Alley (Near Hudson Street and Hamilton Avenue) just after 4 a.m. on Thursday, August 19, 2021.  Officers located the male victim unresponsive and suffering a gunshot wound.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  The victim has been identified as Herberth Ramirez Pimentel, 37, of Trenton.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Menafra of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406.  Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org

This morning’s MidJersey.News story here:

Homicide Task Force Investigating Early Morning Death In Trenton

MidJersey.news file photo

Names of 2021* homicide victims: 

  1. 2/18/2021 Jabree Saunders, 26, from shooting on May 14, 2018
  2. 2/22/2021 Khalil Gibbs, 25, of West Windsor, shooting
  3. 2/25/2021 Lovelle Laramore, 60, of Trenton shooting
  4. 4/15/2021 Kaheem Carter, 22, of Trenton, shooting
  5. 4/20/2021 Shaquan McNeil, 25, of Trenton, shooting
  6. 4/24/2021 Cheryl Jones, 65, of Trenton, shooting
  7. 4/29/2021 Ramire Harvey, 25, of Trenton, shooting
  8. 5/15/2021 David Williams 36, of Trenton, shooting
  9. 5/29/2021 Edgar Geovani Sis-Luis, 34, of Trenton, aggravated manslaughter
  10. 7/05/2021 Dion Ellis, 16, Trenton, Shooting
  11. 7/14/2021 Pablo Herrera Chun, 53, Trenton, Shooting
  12. 7/19/2021 William Mitchell, 33, Trenton, Shooting
  13. 7/19/2021 Jermel Carter, 38, Trenton, Shooting
  14. 7/29/2021 Leonard Pettigrew, 58, Trenton, Shooting
  15. 7/30/2021 Shaquil Loftin, 23, Shooting, Trenton
  16. 8/01/2021 Daquan Basnight, 30, of Ewing, Shooting
  17. 8/13/2021 Javier Chaj-Ajtun, 33, of Trenton, Shooting
  18. 8/19/2021 Herberth Ramirez Pimentel, 37, of Trenton, Shooting

*Updated to reflect the person who died in 2021 from complications from a shooting on May 14, 2018 as per medical examiner report.

East Windsor, East Windsor, Mercer County

East Windsor Police Blotter Week Of August 18, 2021

August 19, 2021

EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–The East Windsor Township Police Department initiated the following police reports through Wednesday, August 18, 2021

1) Criminal Mischief
Location: Rite Aid/ 191 Dutch Neck Road Time/ Date: 2:31 PM, 8-12-2021

While assisting Public Works with traffic control during the inspection of a structurally compromised storm grate, a passerby requested to be transported to a bicycle repair shop to fix a flat tire. Upon advising the individual they could provide transportation after assisting Public Works, she became upset and struck the officer’s police vehicle causing damage to the driver’s side door. The individual was placed under arrest and later released pending court action.

Defendant: Jennifer Johnson East Windsor, NJ 29 Years of Age

Charges: Criminal Mischief Arresting Officer: Sergeant Ryan Ballard #301

2) DUI
Location: Route 33/ Lake Drive Time/Date: 11:24 PM, 8-13-2021

Officers were detailed to the area Route 133 East for a report of a possible intoxicated driver. The caller advised that the vehicle had struck multiple traffic signs and was driving with two flat tires. Upon locating and conducting a traffic stop with the vehicle, the investigation revealed that the driver exhibited signs of impairment and was placed under arrest after failing field sobriety tests. The individual was later released pending court action.

Defendant: Stacy B. Young East Windsor, NJ 41 Years of Age


Charges: DUI
Refusal/Breath Testing
Reckless Driving
Careless Driving
Failure to Maintain Lane
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Failure to Report an Accident

Arresting Officer: Patrol Officer Sebastian Marin #109

3) Drugs
Location: Etra Road/ Milford Road Time/ Date: 6:28 AM, 8-18-2021

Officers were detailed to the area of Etra and Milford Road for a report of a suspicious parked vehicle with an individual possibly in distress. The investigation revealed that both the driver and passenger of the vehicle were in possession of a controlled dangerous substance and drug paraphernalia. Both individuals were charged pending court action.

Defendant: Alfonzo Faulk Philadelphia, PA 63 Years of Age

Charges: Possession of CDS
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Defendant: Michael A. Olivares Bronx, NY 43 Years of Age

Charges: Possession of CDS
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Arresting Officer: Patrol Officer Christopher McDermott #117

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.

Mercer County, Trenton

Homicide Task Force Investigating Early Morning Death In Trenton

August 19, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)—Trenton Police, TEMS and Mercer County Paramedics responded to the area of Hudson and Hamilton Avenue for a reported man down just after 4:05 a.m. At 4:10 a.m. arriving EMS units reported a person was in “traumatic arrest” and it was an obvious death. Capital Health Paramedics pronounced the person a the scene.

Trenton Police tell MidJersey.news that the Homicide Task Force is investigating the incident. No further information is available at this time.

UPDATE HERE: Update: Shooting Homicide in Trenton Under Investigation

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a shooting homicide in Trenton, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.

Trenton police responded to Ditmar Alley (Near Hudson Street and Hamilton Avenue) just after 4 a.m. on Thursday, August 19, 2021.  Officers located the male victim unresponsive and suffering a gunshot wound.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  The victim has been identified as Herberth Ramirez Pimentel, 37, of Trenton.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Menafra of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406.  Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org

MidJersey.news file photos