Day: March 23, 2020

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County

Landscape Equipment Theft Ring Busted

March 23, 2020

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On March 19, 2020 Hamilton Detective executed a search warrant of a residential/farm property located on the 3800 block of Crosswicks Hamilton Square Road regarding stolen landscaping equipment being stored at that location. Hamilton Detectives working out of the Major Crimes Section have been working on a major theft ring involving two individuals identified as 39 year old Trenton resident Clint Riley and 24 year old Trenton resident Kevin Cedeno-Ruiz. Detectives have investigated thefts that began occurring early into 2019, which involved stolen landscaping equipment in excess of $380,000. Most of these thefts occurred in Hamilton, although several investigations from this theft ring led detectives into additional jurisdictions.

Detectives determined that arrestees, Clint Riley and Kevin Cedeno-Ruiz conspired together to steal local landscaping equipment from storage yards located throughout Hamilton Township, which was then stored in a pole barn located on the property belonging to Clint Riley on Crosswicks Hamilton Square Road. The stolen property was then sold off to buyers through Facebook Marketplace or though street buyers. The stolen merchandise consisted of large ticket items such as X-Mark, Toro and Bobcat industrial lawnmowers that are priced as high as $30,000. Each. Many of the stolen mowers were then stored at multiple locations on Genesee Street in Trenton and the property located on Crosswicks Hamilton Square Road belonging to Clint Riley.

Many times the stolen merchandise was off loaded from mobile storage trailers and then those trailers were dumped empty at various locations in Hamilton Township. Those trailers also contained smaller items such as weed -whackers, edgers and leaf blowers.

As a result of the warrant execution, Hamilton Detectives are still working to identify additional victims for some of the large ticket items recovered as a result of the search warrant.

The Hamilton Police Division would like to thank detectives Schulte, Inman, MacArthur, Ialacci and T. Clugsten for their investigative work involving this investigation. Additionally, the Hamilton Police Anti- Crime Unit and the Lawrence Police Detective Unit assisted in this investigation.

Hamilton Detectives would like to ask the public to contact our Major Crimes Unit at (609) 581-4009 if believe they have been a victim of these landscape burglary/thefts. A list of the stolen landscaping equipment has been compiled for victim purposes. Serial and model numbers will be essential for recovery of these items.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Nicholas Schulte at (609) 689-5825 or via email at nschulte@hamiltonpd.org or Detective Daniel Inman at (609) 581-4035 or via email at dinman@hamiltonpd.org The public can also leave a message on the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.

Every defendant is presumed innocent until being found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Burlington, Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Ocean County

41,708 Cases of COVID-19 In USA and 2,844 In NJ –Hamilton Closes Dog Park and Playground Equipment

March 23, 2020

The coronavirus COVID-19 is all over follow the CDC guidelines and official government information.

NJ COVID-19 Information Hub

NJ COVID-19 Dashboard

Johns Hopkins University Tracker reporting 41,708 cases in USA as of 2:55 pm update.

We have 935 new positive #COVID19 cases, bringing our total to 2,844.
• Atlantic: 6
• Bergen: 609
• Burlington: 36
• Camden: 33
• Cumberland: 1
• Cape May: 2
• Essex: 273
• Gloucester: 13
• Hudson: 190
• Hunterdon: 18
• Mercer: 50
• Middlesex: 210
• Monmouth: 238
• Morris: 177
• Ocean: 144
• Passaic: 141
• Salem: 1
• Somerset: 67
• Sussex: 15
• Union: 189
• Warren: 12
• Under Investigation: 419

As of 11:30 AM, COVID-19 statewide stats:
• Positive Tests: 2,844
• Deaths: 27

For updates: covid19.nj.gov

Monmouth County has 207 positive cases of COVID-19

FREEHOLD, NJ –Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley have announced that, as reported to the Monmouth County Health Department on March 23, there are 207 positive cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County.

“As we see these numbers climb, while anticipated, it reminds us why social distancing is so important,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “It is critical for everyone to practice social distancing so that we can slow the spread.”

The breakdown by municipality is as follows:

  • Aberdeen: 7
  • Asbury Park: 4
  • Atlantic Highlands: 1
  • Belmar: 1
  • Bradley Beach: 1
  • Brielle: 2
  • Colts Neck: 8
  • Eatontown: 11
  • Englishtown: 2
  • Farmingdale: 1
  • Freehold Borough: 1
  • Freehold Township: 28
  • Hazlet: 15
  • Holmdel: 5
  • Howell: 17
  • Keansburg: 2
  • Keyport: 1
  • Lake Como: 1
  • Little Silver: 3
  • Manalapan: 22
  • Manasquan: 3
  • Marlboro: 21
  • Matawan: 2
  • Middletown: 7
  • Millstone: 1
  • Monmouth Beach: 1
  • Neptune: 10
  • Neptune City: 1
  • Ocean: 4
  • Oceanport: 4
  • Ocean Grove: 1
  • Red Bank: 2
  • Rumson: 1
  • Sea Girt: 1
  • Shrewsbury: 2
  • Tinton Falls: 4
  • Wall: 4
  • Upper Freehold: 4
  • West Long Branch: 1

The Freeholders also announced that they have been notified that NY Waterway has suspended all ferry service to the Belford Ferry Terminal. More information can be found on nywaterway.com.

Monmouth County Parks remain open, but with no access to any buildings or modern restrooms. Port-a-johns are provided at most locations. Golf courses and playgrounds are closed and all programs are cancelled through at least April 3. As always, Park Rangers are on duty to provide assistance as needed.

As more information becomes available, it will be shared with the public and the media. News updates and information regarding County events and programs affected by the COVID-19 situation are posted at www.visitmonmouth.com.

Monmouth 288 positive cases of CORONA-19 waiting for today’s town list to be released.

Hamilton Township Reports New Case of COVID-19

Hamilton, NJ –The Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System (CDRSS) alerted the Hamilton Township Health Department that we have one (1) new positive COVID-19 case, bringing the total cases to six (6) in town. Three out of the six patients are hospitalized while the other three are self-isolating at home. The new positive case is a 58-year-old female.

As a reminder to the public, confidentiality laws (HIPAA) prevent the Township from releasing certain details to the public.  Please know that our Health Department has been diligently working to conduct comprehensive investigations for each positive case. Anyone who was in close or direct contact with the individuals who have tested positive is contacted by the Health Department to inform them that they have been in contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Hamilton Township Ecological Facility reopened to Hamilton Township residents this morning. Until further notice, residents may drop off household recycling and brush ONLY. At this time, contractors will not be allowed to enter the Facility. Upon arrival, a form of identification will be required. This policy will be strictly enforced.

Effective Tuesday, March 24th all playground equipment and dog parks will be closed to the public.  We ask that residents please cooperate with physical distancing guidelines.  We know that staying at home and limited physical interaction is difficult, but is a critical part in doing everything we can now to flatten the curve to keep people safe and save lives. We know that COVID-19 can have very serious consequences for our vulnerable populations, especially our seniors, and ask that you keep them in mind in the coming days and weeks. We will get through this together and we will be stronger for it. 

For general questions about COVID-19 please dial 2-1-1, text “NJCOVID” to 898-211, or visit covid19.nj.gov.

Due to COVID-19 precautions Hamilton Township Dog Parks and Playground Equipment are closed and in the process of being taped off with caution tape and signs will be placed. Photos by: Dennis Symons, Jr.

Township Facilities Update

HAMILTON– Effective Tuesday, March 24th the following Township Facilities will be closed to the public: 

* All Playground Equipment
* Dog Parks 

We ask that residents please cooperate with physical distancing guidelines.  We know that staying at home and limited physical interaction is difficult, but is a critical part in doing everything we can now to flatten the curve to keep people safe and save lives. We know that COVID-19 can have very serious consequences for our vulnerable populations, especially our seniors, and ask that you keep them in mind in the coming days and weeks. We will get through this together and we will be stronger for it.   

Covid-19 Total Cases (149) In Ocean County:

Total as of Monday 3/23/2020 at 2:00pm

Town NameNumber of Cases
Barnegat3
Barnegat Light0
Bay Head1
Beach Haven0
Beachwood0
Berkeley3
Brick5
Eagleswood0
Harvey Cedars0
Island Heights0
Jackson18
Lacey4 *
Lakehurst0
Lakewood69
Lavallette0
Little Egg Harbor2
Long Beach Township2
Manchester6
Mantoloking0
Ocean Gate0
Ocean Twp. (Waretown)0
Pine Beach0
Plumsted1
Point Pleasant Beach0
Point Pleasant Borough7
Seaside Heights0
Seaside Park1
Ship Bottom1
South Toms River0
Surf City1
Stafford4
Toms River21
Tuckerton0
* Lacey (corrected from being reported as 5 cases)Total Positive Cases: 149
Burlington, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Ocean County, Trenton

AG Grewal, DOH Commissioner Persichilli Announce Guidance for Healthcare Providers on Safely Evaluating Patients for COVID-19

March 23, 2020

NEWARK – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Department of Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli announced today their Departments have issued guidance to thousands of health care professionals statewide on how to safely evaluate patients who may have COVID-19 and to care for patients who have COVID-19 in an outpatient office setting.Doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and respiratory care therapists are advised to follow best practices set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health when treating patients for COVID-19-related concerns or symptoms.Those practices include using telephone consults to triage patients prior to scheduling office vis-its, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment when evaluating symptomatic patients during in-person visits, and maximizing the delivery of health care services through telemedicine and other alternative methods.“As gatekeepers to the health care system, office-based health care professionals are vital to re-sponding to the threat posed by COVID-19 and helping to flatten the curve of infections,” said Attorney General Grewal. “By providing guidance to New Jersey practitioners, we are acting to ensure they follow best practices for evaluating and treating patients during this worldwide pan-demic.”“It is essential that practitioners are mindful of the critical need to avoid overwhelming the health care system by recommending inappropriate referrals or testing,” said State Health Commissioner Persichilli. “Practitioners’ clinical judgement will be of the greatest value to patients and will help to best conserve our health resources at this critical time.” The guidance was developed by the Communicable Disease Service within the Department of Health and the Division of Consumer Affairs within the Department of Law & Public Safety.In guidance emailed to all health care professionals licensed by the Division’s Board Medical Examiners, Board of Nursing, and Board of Respiratory Care, practitioners received information on the types and availability of tests that look for the COVID-19 virus.They were also provided with step-by-step guidance on how to address concerns of asympto-matic patients, how to assess the severity of symptomatic patients, and how to determine treat-ment based on those assessments, in accordance with CDC best practices.“Our health care professionals are facing new and unfamiliar challenges every day as they seek to evaluate and treat their patients, while minimizing the risk of exposure to themselves, their colleagues and staff, and their other patients,” said Paul R. Rodríguez, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “The Division and its professional boards are working to provide guidance and support to those on the front lines of this pandemic response in every way that we can.”The learn more about what the Division is doing to help consumers and licensees stay safe amid the COVID-19 emergency, visit the Division’s Covid-19 Resources Page at

 https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/COVID19/Pages/default.aspx.

Guidance: https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases20/COVID-19-Outpatient-Provider-Guidance.pdf

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