Day: June 27, 2023

Ocean County, Stafford Township

Iconic Jersey Devil Statue Stolen From Lucille’s Luncheonette

June 27, 2023

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ Police say that on June 24, 2023, the Stafford Township Police Department received a report of theft, of the ‘Iconic Jersey Devil Statue’ from Lucille’s Luncheonette – Country Cooking located in Warren Grove, NJ. After a thorough investigation by the Stafford Township Detective Bureau, a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Thomas L. Bintz, 52 years old of Chandlersville, OH for fourth-degree Criminal Mischief and third-degree Theft.

Bintz has not been apprehended at this time. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Conner at jconner@staffordpolice.org or 609-597-1000 ext. 8461. (UPDATE: Police report that they have all the information needed at this time)

As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release photos of arrested subjects, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Lucille’s Luncheonette posted on Facebook:

While we are thrilled that Stafford Township Police Department identified the person who stole our Jersey Devil Carving… and we personally felt very violated by this random act of destructive behavior as did our friends, customers, neighbors… we also know that Lucille would be reminding us right now… to be kind.

Mom was a Jersey Girl… and that means being resilient, being smart, and being tough – but compassionate. She always reminded us that people make mistakes – and the true test of character is how we respond to them. We are Jersey… we represent a rich heritage and we need to uphold that going forward with this case. She would want the suspect held accountable… through the justice system. Please keep her in your thoughts as you respond to the news and let’s just be Jersey Strong.

Middlesex County, Piscataway

Prosecutor: Rutgers Student Death Does Not Appear Suspicious

June 27, 2023

PISCATAWAY, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Kenneth Cop of the Rutgers Police Department announced today that they are investigating a body of a deceased male student that was found on the Rutgers University Campus in Piscataway.

There is no threat to the public and the death does not appear to be suspicious.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Calvert of the Rutgers Police Department at 732-932-7211 or Detective Michelle Coppola of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732 745-3477.

Middlesex County, Woodbridge

Police Involved Shooting Investigation At Sansone Auto Mall After Suspect Attempted To Run Over Police

June 27, 2023

WOODBRIDGE, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today that a shooting is under investigation.

Today, June 27, 2023, at approximately 3:07 a.m., the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit received a report of an officer involved shooting at Sansone Auto Mall in Woodbridge. Initial investigation revealed that the Woodbridge Police Department received a 911 call at 2:14 a.m., reporting a suspicious incident at Sansone Auto Mall on Route 1 in Woodbridge. While conducting the investigation, one of the suspects attempted to run over the investigating officers. Officers discharged their weapons, and the vehicle fled the scene onto Route 1 North. A shooting victim later walked into a local hospital and admitted their role in the suspicious incident, specifically a vehicle burglary. The shooting is currently under investigation and ongoing.

This is an active and ongoing investigation anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Javier Morillo of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732)745-8843.

Mercer County, West Windsor, West Windsor

One Dead, Six Others Injured In Old Trenton Road Crash

June 27, 2023

WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)—West Windsor Police reported that last night at 10:40 p.m. on June 26, 2023, the West Windsor Township Communications Center dispatched Patrol Units to Old Trenton Road near Cubberley Road for a Serious Motor Vehicle Collision.  Further dispatch included possible entrapment in the one vehicle crash. 

Upon arrival of police, they found that, a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, had overturned with seven total occupants/victims.  Of the seven occupants, three were ejected from the Nissan during the collision.  One victim was found to have no signs of life and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

West Windsor Township Division of Fire & Emergency Services, Lawrence Township EMS, Robbinsville EMS, RWJ Ambulance, East Windsor EMS, and Capital Health Medics attended to the victims.  All six of the remaining victims sustained a variety of injuries and were transported to the Capital Health Regional Medical Center.  Two of the victims are listed as being in Critical Condition with life threatening injuries while the remaining four victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

A preliminary investigation revealed the following; the Nissan Pathfinder had been traveling westbound on Old Trenton Road just west of Cubberley Road on a straight section of roadway.  It was raining and the roadway was wet.  The Pathfinder lost control, exited the roadway to the right, and overturned multiple times in the 1400 Block of Old Trenton Road where it ultimately came to its final resting place. Three of the Pathfinder’s seven passengers were ejected (including the decedent).  The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office (SCRT) and the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene.        

     The investigation is currently ongoing under the direction of Traffic Sgt. K. Loretucci #76..  No identities are being released at this time.  The roadway was closed for approximately four hours.  If anyone has any pertinent information to share about this crash, please contact Traffic Officer F. Sabatino #83 at (609) 799-1222, our Anonymous Tipline at (609) 799-0452, or Sabatino@westwindsorpolice.com.  

Agencies involved: 1) WWPD Communications Center, Patrol Division, Traffic Unit, & Detective Bureau
                                      2)  West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services 
                                      3)  Capital Health Medics
                                      4)  West Windsor Volunteer Fire Station #43
                                      5)  Princeton Jct. Volunteer Fire Station #44
                                      6)  Robbinsville Township PD
                                      7)  Hamilton Township PD
                                      8)  Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team (SCRT)
                                      9)  Lawrence Twp. EMS #129
                                     10)  Robbinsville Twp. Ambulance #40
                                     11)  RWJ Ambulance #110-1
                                     12)  East Windsor Ambulance #142-2
                                     13)  Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office