STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Stafford Township Police reported that today, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Gary & Lorraine Parker were located deceased in a densely wooded area of Warren Grove in the vicinity of their residence. They were located by the Stafford Township Police Department’s drone. Autopsies will be performed later this week, however no foul play is believed to be involved. Our department sends its condolences to the Parker’s family and friends. We would also like to thank all of the assisting agencies, especially the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, New Jersey State Police, and the Warren Grove Fire Company. Thank you. — Stafford Police Department
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking information from the fishing community to develop guidance regarding mitigation of impacts from offshore wind projects. Comments are due January 7, 2022.
BOEM, in consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service and affected coastal states, intends to develop guidance for the mitigation of impacts from offshore wind energy projects on commercial and recreational fishing communities. To initiate the development of this guidance, BOEM is issuing this 45-day Request for Information to obtain input from the public.
Virtual Public Meetings will be held on the following dates, and information can be found here.
12/1 – 10 am EST – East Coast Workshop on Clams and Scallops (Bottom Gear) (Register)
12/2 – 10 am EST – East Coast Workshop on Mobile Gear/Mixed Trawl/Pelagic (Register)
12/6 – 10 am EST – East Coast Workshop on Fixed Gear (Register)
12/7 – 10 am EST – Recreational Fishing Workshop (Register)
NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Joseph Battaglia of the North Brunswick Township Police Department announced today that a woman has been charged in connection with a fatal collision that resulted in the death of two nine-year-old children as well as serious injuries to others.
On Thursday, November 25, 2021, at approximately 11:53 P.M., authorities responded to the southbound lane of Route 130 near the on-ramp to Route 1 in North Brunswick Township following the report of a serious crash involving a marked Old Bridge Police patrol vehicle and a Honda Accord. Upon their arrival, authorities located Yokauri Batista-Alcantara, 31, of New Brunswick, and two children at the scene. Batista-Alcantara and the juveniles were transported from the scene to a nearby hospital where the juveniles were pronounced dead.
Authorities also located two Old Bridge Township police officers and an in-custody civilian passenger at the scene. The officers and the passenger were transported to a nearby hospital where they were treated for their injuries.
An initial investigation by Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined the two police officers were transporting the in-custody passenger to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick Township when Batista-Alcantara drove the wrong way down the on-ramp and struck the police vehicle. At this time, reckless driving and alcohol consumption are believed to be contributing factors.
On Friday, November 26, 2021, Batista-Alcantara was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, two counts of second-degree
endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count of fourth-degree assault by auto.
Batista-Alcantara is presently lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center where she is being held pending a pre-trial detention hearing in Superior Court.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Batista- Alcantara are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information or video footage of the area is asked to call Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4328.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Ewing Police Department are investigating a Monday night shooting death in Ewing Township, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 29, 2021, Ewing police were dispatched to Public Storage on Parkside Avenue in Ewing. Officers arrived on scene and located the victim, identified as 29-year-old Cedric Hennessee Flippin of Trenton, unresponsive on the ground outside of one of the storage lockers. Detectives located a shell casing nearby and Flippin was pronounced dead at the scene.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org
Other Ewing Township shootings and murders in 2021:
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–The Bordentown Township Police Department is investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision which occurred on November 29, 2021 that resulted in the death of a 58-year-old male from Pemberton Township, NJ.
Preliminary investigation has determined that the victim, David Jenkins – age 58 of 3rd Ave. Pemberton NJ, was traveling northbound on Rt. 130 in the area of Taconic Rd. at approximately 8:08 pm when his 2005 Dodge Caravan collided with a tractor trailer being operated by Eugene Mercer Jr., age – 58, of West Ave. Bridgeport CT. Jenkins sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision.
Township Police continue to investigate the cause of this collision and anyone who witnessed or who has information regarding this incident is requested to contact Det. Anthony Nagle at 609-298-4300, ext. 2142.
WEST WINDSOR-PENNINGTON, NJ (MERCER)–On Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, from 10 a.m. to noon Mercer County Sheriff’s Officer Mike Mullen and his K9 partner Bodhi will be at the Dogs & Cats Rule pet store at 800 Denow Road in Pennington, N.J., to “pawtograph” the 2022 Cops & Dogs Police K9 calendar.
Officer Mike Mullen and K9 Bodhi, who appear in the calendar for the month of January, will be available at the store for a “meet & greet” where you’ll be able to ask questions, pet K9 Bodhi and have him pawtograph a copy of your calendar.
On Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. West Windsor Police Sgt. Doug Montgomery and his K9 partner Mackey will be at the Dogs & Cats Rule pet store’s Princeton location at 3495 Route 1 in West Windsor to “pawtograph” the 2022 Cops & Dogs Police K9 calendar.
Sgt. Montgomery and K9 Mackey, who appear in the calendar for the month of December, will be available at the store for a “meet and greet” where you’ll be able to ask questions, pet K9 Mackey and have him pawtograph a copy of your calendar. Proceeds from calendar sales will benefit the Capital K9 Association which is a non-profit organization providing bullet proof vests and canine equipment for working police dogs.
John Baer, a former NYPD police officer and photographer of the Cops & Dogs calendar will also be at the store to discuss the calendar and answer questions about K9 photography. The calendar can be purchased for $14.95 at the Dogs & Cats Rule pet store or online at: www.copsanddogs.com.
Sgt. Montgomery and K9 MackeyOfficer Mike Mullen and K9 Bodhi
The Bordentown Township Police Department is investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision which occurred on November 29, 2021 that resulted in the death of a 58-year-old male from Pemberton Township, NJ.
Preliminary investigation has determined that the victim, David Jenkins – age 58 of 3rd Ave. Pemberton NJ, was traveling northbound on Rt. 130 in the area of Taconic Rd. at approximately 8:08 pm when his 2005 Dodge Caravan collided with a tractor trailer being operated by Eugene Mercer Jr., age – 58, of West Ave. Bridgeport CT. Jenkins sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision.
Township Police continue to investigate the cause of this collision and anyone who witnessed or who has information regarding this incident is requested to contact Det. Anthony Nagle at 609-298-4300, ext. 2142.
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Sometime around 8:15 p.m. the Bordentown Township Police Department, Bordentown Fire Departments and EMS responded to Route 130 and Taconic Road for a serious accident. From the scene it appeared that a tractor-trailer was either making a U-turn or left turn from south bound Route 130 to north bound route 130 and a vehicle collided with the box section of the tractor-trailer. There were unconfirmed reports of possible fatalities. The U-turn/left turn is marked “Trucks Over 4 Tons No U-Turn”
This is a breaking news report once official information becomes available from authorities, corrections and updates will be made.
130 NB @ Taconic Rd. closed due to motor vehicle collision.
Be advised that Rt. 130 northbound at the intersection of Taconic Rd. is currently closed due to a motor vehicle collision investigation. Traffic is being detoured and we ask motorists to seek an alternate route at this time.
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–On Monday, November 29, 2021, at approximately 4:58 p.m., Toms River Police units were dispatched to the intersection of Vaughn Avenue and Windsor Avenue for a reported pedestrian struck. The initial investigation revealed Carl Cereghini, 61 of Toms River, entered the roadway in attempt to cross when he was struck by a vehicle travelling north on Vaughn Avenue. As a result of the accident, Mr. Cereghini sustained serious injuries and was flown to Jersey Shore Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition.
The driver of the vehicle stated that Mr. Cereghini entered the roadway in front of them leaving no time for the driver to stop or avoid hitting him. There were no signs of impairment of the driver who did not sustain any injuries as a result of the accident.
The accident remains under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Ryan Fitzgerald.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) – A fire on the top floor of an apartment building in the 100 block of Pennington Avenue was quickly extinguished by city firefighters Monday night, Nov. 29, 2021. It was about 8:25 p.m. when Trenton firefighters were sent to 144 Pennington Avenue in response to multiple 911 calls reporting smoke and flames visible from the three-story structure. Dispatched as part of the initial assignment were Engines 1, 10 and 8, Ladder 1, Rescue 1, and the North Battalion Chief. The first-arriving company, Rescue 1, reported fire showing from the top floor. The “All Hands” signal for a working fire was issued and the balance of the first alarm – Engine 6, Ladder 4, the South Battalion Chief and Special Services 1 – was sent to the scene. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack and were able to knock down the bulk of the fire in just minutes. The blaze was officially placed under control at 9:07 p.m. There were no immediate reports of any injuries. The American Red Cross was requested to respond to assist displaced residents with housing.
FBI began investigating Christopher Jensen, 68, for assuming the identity of a 17-year-old boy in order to entice and solicit an underage girl to send nude and sexually explicit images over the internet.
November 29, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Monmouth County, New Jersey man, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for knowingly receiving child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Herman Christopher Jensen, 68, of Union Beach, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to a one-count information charging him with knowingly receiving child pornography. Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
FBI began investigating Jensen for assuming the identity of a 17-year-old boy in order to entice and solicit an underage girl to send nude and sexually explicit images over the internet. Jensen did this by creating a fake Facebook account, purporting to be a teenaged boy named “Kevin Bennett.” From January 2018 through about August 2018, Jensen used the “Kevin Bennett” Facebook account to communicate with the minor victim frequently, causing her to believe that she was involved in a romantic relationship with “Kevin Bennett.”
Jensen requested nude and semi-nude photographs from the victim minor through Facebook’s messenger service. As time went on, Jensen received increasingly explicit videos depicting the minor victim engaging in sexually explicit activity. In August of 2018, Jensen revealed to the minor victim that he was not, in fact, the 17 year-old teenager he purported to be, but instead an adult named Chris Jenson. The victim continued to communicate with Jensen via the “Chris Jensen” Facebook account. In December 2018, the minor victim traveled to New Jersey to live with Jensen.
On Dec. 19, 2018, local authorities became involved in the matter causing the removal of the victim from Jensen’s residence.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Jensen to lifetime supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers of the FBI and the Red Bank Resident Agency’s Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. She also thanked the Union Beach Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Michael J. Woodrow, for its assistance with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Perry Farhat of the Government Frauds Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.
21-545
Defense counsel: John C. Feggeler Esq., Matawan, New Jersey
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today that an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Ewing Police Department has resulted in charges being filed against two Ewing residents in connection to last week’s murder of Mark Hudson Jr.
Tyshawn Smith, 23, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun. Brianne Novak, 21, is charged with hindering apprehension for providing false information to the police. Both Smith and Novak were arrested at their respective Ewing residences on Saturday, November 27, by members of the Mercer County Tactical Response Team. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Smith pending trial.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Monday, November 22, 2021, Ewing police were dispatched to Hudson’s residence in the 200 block of Douglas Avenue for a person shot. Upon arrival, officers located the victim suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest and left hand. Hudson was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead a short time later.
The murder remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call HTF Detective Jennifer Eyster at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Council Members Peter Yeager, Alan Rosenberg and John Zoller joined facility executives Regional Sales Director Pam Farish-Ozoroski, General Manager Joseph Sidoti and Assistant Manager Katherine Guzman for the Grand Opening event for Crunch Fitness located in the Windsor Crossing Shopping Center directly across from The Home Depot.
Mayor Mironov stated, “East Windsor is excited to welcome Crunch Fitness, which offers a wide variety of exercise equipment and options, and a variety of health and wellness programs, including personal training and group fitness classes. Their convenient location and extensive class schedule provides residents in the area with another avenue to maintain a year-round fitness routine.”
The original opening of Crunch Fitness in February 2020 was interrupted by the pandemic, generating this grand opening celebration. Crunch Fitness, a 24,203 square foot facility, features state-of-the-art workout equipment, specialized high-intensity interval training equipment, free range of motion weights, cardio equipment, group fitness classes, circuit training, free weight and heavy weight areas, and other guest amenities including on-site childcare, saunas, steam rooms, tanning and massage beds. Crunch Fitness offers over 200 fitness classes including cycling, barre, Pilates, yoga and Zumba classes, and they also sell a variety of meal replacement low glycemic, less sugar and lower calorie meal-in-a-cup menu items, as well as blended shakes and kids options. Crunch Fitness has locations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, and Spain, including 21 locations in New Jersey.
Current hours of operation are Monday thru Thursday from 5:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., Friday from 5:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., and Saturday thru Sunday from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Registration for classes is required and available 22 hours to 30 minutes prior to a class on the Crunch app or at members.crunch.com website. Call (609) 371-7111 or visit www.crunch.com/locations/east-windsor for additional information.
NEWARK, N.J. – A Florida resident was arrested by the police after he was stopped with his handgun at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday, Nov. 26.
A TSA officer stopped the man with his gun among his carry-on items as they entered a checkpoint X-ray unit. The man told officials that he meant to declare the gun with his airline so that it would be transported with checked baggage, but that he forgot to do so. The gun was unloaded and packed in a hard-sided case with a box containing 35 bullets, which would be how firearms should be packaged and then declared to the airline.
Instead, when TSA officers spotted the gun, they alerted Port Authority Police, who responded to the checkpoint and arrested the man.
Firearms caught at the Newark-Liberty International Airport Checkpoints, 2019 to 2021*
Newark Airport
2017
2018
2019
2020*
2021*(As of 11-28-21)
Guns caught at the checkpoints
6
14
11
11
13
*Significantly fewer travelers due to the pandemic.
TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a handgun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
When an individual shows up at a checkpoint with a firearm, the checkpoint lane comes to a standstill until the police resolve the incident. Guns at checkpoints can delay travelers from getting to their gates.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared at their airline ticket counter to be transported in the belly of the plane. Guns are absolutely not permitted to be carried onto planes. Checked firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and travelers should check into firearm laws before they decide to travel with their guns. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
Nationwide, TSA officers detected 3,257 firearms on passengers or their carry-on bags at checkpoints last year, although the total number of passengers screened at airport checkpoints across the country fell by 500 million compared to 2019 due to the pandemic. The result was that twice as many firearms per million passengers screened were detected at checkpoints in 2020 compared to 2019. In 2020, TSA caught approximately 10 firearms per million passengers as compared to about five firearms per million passengers in 2019. Of the guns caught by TSA in 2020, about 83 percent were loaded.
A man told officials he forgot to declare his gun upon check-in with his airline at Newark Liberty International Airport on Nov. 26. (TSA photo)
MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–On Saturday, November 27, 2021, at approximately 6:04pm, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Pinewald Keswick Road and Crestwood Parkway in the Whiting Section of town to investigate a motor vehicle accident involving an overturned Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Upon arrival, officers observed a 2015 Jeep Patriot on the eastbound dirt shoulder of Pinewald Keswick Road, overturned resting on a utility pole. The sole occupant/ driver, was ejected from the vehicle and found lying in close proximity to the vehicle. The investigation revealed that the Jeep Patriot was traveling eastbound on Pinewald Keswick Road when it ran off the roadway to the right. The Jeep continued eastbound on the dirt shoulder striking roadway signs and brush before overturning and coming to final rest against a utility pole. Due to the vehicle overturning and the driver not properly seat belted into the vehicle, the driver was ejected from the vehicle through the front passenger side window.
The driver of the Jeep, 64-year-old, Robert Casper of Whiting, NJ, suffered head trauma and was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune by medevac helicopter, where he is listed in critical but stable condition.
Assisting at the scene were EMTs from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, Paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and volunteer firefighters from the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but at this point, failure to maintain lane and failure to wear a seatbelt are the contributing factors of the crash. The crash is being investigated by Patrolman Conner Yatauro of the department’s Traffic Safety section.
“Typically, Trenton Sewer Utility personnel are not permitted to operate on private property. However, given the serious potential public safety risks involved, they went above and beyond, not only finding the cause but alleviating it as well.“
November 28, 2021– Updated November 29, 2021
UPDATE:
The Trenton Mayor’s Office says, There are no issue with the City-managed mainlines in the area. The problem is on non-city property.
The cause appears to have been a sewer line obstruction originating from 455 W. State St at the Colonial Gardens Apartment Complex. City sewer personnel were able to successful clean out the obstruction, which has abated the problem for now. They have also successfully contacted the building manager and advised him on additional measures to properly clean the lines and prevent this issue from happening again.
Typically, Trenton Sewer Utility personnel are not permitted to operate on private property. However, given the serious potential public safety risks involved, they went above and beyond, not only finding the cause but alleviating it as well.
While there does not appear to be any risk to nearby residents at this time, the City of Trenton is also deploying health and housing inspectors to the site to assess the sewage leak and any other issues. The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection has also been contacted as well.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–After a tip last night on Trenton Orbit Facebook Group, the City of Trenton Sewer Department was investigating a reported large sewage leak on West State Street.
Mayor Reed Gusciora was seen with the Trenton Sewer Department working to locate the reported large sewage leak on West State Street this morning. After the investigation it was determined that the leak was behind the Luther Towers at 489 West State Street, and later determined to be at 455 West State Street at the Colonial Gardens Apartment Complex. The Mayor reports that Luther Towers was notified at the time, then notified Colonial Gardens Apartments as well as the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection about the issue.
In a Facebook statement Mayor Reed Gusciora said:
“Hope you are still enjoying your holiday weekend. I ventured out to the woods behind Luther Towers on West State Street. Appears to be a sewage break that caused a spill. We have notified NJDEP and I was out with Trenton’s Sewage Authority to inspect. We also notified Luther Towers of their responsibilities. If anyone needs to report any sewage issues, please call us at 609-989-3180 or after hours, 609-989-4000. We are hear to serve. Thanks to the person(s) who reported the matter to us. God bless.”
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