October 29, 2020
Photos and Story by: Tyler Eckel
HAMILTION TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–A deaf man was struck by a car at South Broad Street and Sunnybrea Boulevard around 7:29 p.m. on a dark and rainy Thursday night. Hamilton Police, Hamilton Fire Department, Robert Wood Johnson EMS, and Capital Health Paramedics responded to the scene. The man was transported to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
October 29, 2020
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Toms River Township Police Chief Mitchell A. Little announced that Shadrach Correa, 18, Daivon Sullivan, 18, and Leyron Jones, 23, all of Toms River, have been charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1) in connection with the death of Javon Cutler which occurred in Toms River on October 11, 2020. The three defendants were also charged with two counts of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), and Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1).
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that on October 11, 2020, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Javon Cutler, 19, of Bayville, and two friends were attempting to leave Toms River Apartments – located on Main Street in Toms River – when an unknown individual opened fire on their vehicle. Mr. Cutler, who was seated in the rear passenger seat, was struck in the head as a result. The driver of the vehicle drove directly to Community Medical Center to seek medical treatment for Mr. Cutler. Mr. Cutler was subsequently transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries on October 14, 2020. A post mortem examination was performed by the Ocean County Medical Examiner on October 15, 2020. The Medical Examiner determined the cause of Mr. Cutler’s death to be intermediate distance gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of his death to be homicide.
After a very thorough and comprehensive investigation that spanned the course of nearly three weeks, it was determined that Correa, Sullivan and Jones acted together and in support of one another in carrying out the shooting of Javon Cutler. Correa was arrested and charged on October 28, 2020, while Sullivan and Jones were taken into custody and charged today. All three men were transported to the Ocean County Jail, where they are currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
“The investigative efforts leading to the arrest of these defendants were nothing short of outstanding, and the teamwork exhibited by everyone involved – Assistant Prosecutors, Detectives, and Officers alike – truly exemplifies the best in law enforcement,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “This heinous crime was not easily solved, but our team of professionals demonstrated an unwavering commitment identifying and investigating the individuals responsible for this senseless killing and bringing them to justice. The men and women in blue literally worked around the clock for nearly three weeks, putting the pieces of the puzzle together with a singular objective in mind: removing these incredibly dangerous young men from our streets,” Prosecutor Billhimer continued. “The residents of Ocean County can rest easier tonight knowing that Correa, Sullivan, and Jones are behind bars due to the painstaking efforts of our law enforcement community. I am extremely proud to work alongside these selfless men and women, and I commend them, as always, on a job well done. Now, our attention turns to securing justice for Mr. Cutler and his family,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
Chief Little added: “It is extremely unnerving to have something like this happen in our town. I am so proud of the tenacity and dedication of all of the Officers and Detectives from all agencies who worked around the clock on this case to restore order and safety to our community.”
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Little acknowledge the following agencies for their tremendous and collaborative efforts in connection with this wide-ranging investigation which ultimately resulted in the apprehension of these three defendants: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit; Toms River Township Police Department; Toms River Township Police Detective Bureau; Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit; Toms River Township Special Enforcement Team; Manchester Township Police Department; Barnegat Township Police Department; Berkeley Township Police Department; Seaside Heights Police Department; Brick Township Police Department; Lakewood Township Police Department; Jackson Township Police Department; South Toms River Police Department; Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit; New Jersey State Police; Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office; Ocean County Department of Corrections; New Jersey State Department of Corrections; New Jersey State Police; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The public and media are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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October 29, 2020
From the East Windsor Police Blotter released today:
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)– On Thursday, October 22, 2020, at approximately 11:15 a.m., East Windsor Police responded to the Bank of America located inside ShopRite for a reported bank robbery. Investigation revealed that a man passed a note to the teller demanding money. The teller provided an undisclosed amount of cash and the man left the area prior to police arrival. No weapon was displayed. The suspect and vehicle are described as follows:
Initial investigation revealed that the suspect committed another bank robbery at a bank located inside a ShopRite in Aberdeen, NJ earlier in the day, prior to this incident. The suspect has also committed a string of bank robberies in Connecticut and Morris County, New Jersey earlier in the month. The suspect committed several other bank robberies in New Jersey on October 27. Investigation is ongoing.
John Scott Brink, 59, of Jackson, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
October 29, 2020
NEWARK, NJ —A Morris County, New Jersey, man was arrested and three co-defendants pleaded guilty today in connection with a conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank bribery, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Kurt Phelps, 52, of Flanders, New Jersey, was charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of bank bribery. He made his initial appearance by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.
Three co-defendants pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to their respective roles in the scheme: Douglas Arbolino, 59, of Central Valley, New York, and Gary Swenson, 59, of Hardyston, New Jersey, each pleaded guilty to informations charging them with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of bribery of a bank official; and John Scott Brink, 59, of Jackson, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From 2013 through 2019, Phelps, Arbolino, Swenson, and Brink, conspired to defraud Victim Bank-1, Phelps’s employer. The defendants obtained millions of dollars of credit from Victim Bank-1 for Starnet Business Solutions Inc. (Starnet), a now-defunct New Jersey-based printing company where Arbolino, Swenson, and Brink worked. Arbolino, Swenson, and Brink paid Phelps large cash bribes in connection with the fraud scheme
In 2013, Starnet provided materially false financial information to Victim Bank-1 and received a line of credit. Brink sent Victim Bank-1 inflated accounts receivable information, and Arbolino and Swenson provided other materially false financial information, such as semi-annual financial reports. Victim Bank-1 not only allowed Starnet to maintain the line of credit, it increased the credit available at various times. By 2018, the line of credit available to Starnet was worth approximately $8 million, and Starnet has not repaid it.
Phelps was aware that financial information Starnet provided to Victim Bank-1 was materially false. Phelps coached Starnet on how to defraud Victim Bank-1. Phelps would review draft financial information for Starnet and provide feedback on how his conspirators should falsify the information before submitting it. Phelps also worked to ensure that Victim Bank-1 did not detect the fraud scheme by helping Starnet avoid audits and other quality control measures employed by Victim Bank-1.
Phelps solicited large cash bribes – tens of thousands of dollars at a time – from Starnet in connection with the fraud scheme. Arbolino, Swenson, and Brink pooled cash to pay Phelps bribe payments, which were hand-delivered, and totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bribery of a bank official, and bank bribery charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
Individuals who believe they may have information about this case may contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest and guilty pleas.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Suchorsky of the
Economic Crimes Unit.
The charges and allegations in the complaint against Phelps are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
20-392
Defense counsel:
Phelps: Kevin F. Carlucci Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark
Brink: Amy Luria Esq., Roseland, New Jersey
Swenson: Robert Stahl Esq., Westfield, New Jersey
Arbolino: Kerry Lawrence Esq., White Plains, New York
October 29, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Trenton Fire Department was dispatched to the 1st block of Feeder Street for a garage fire attached to a home around 11:15 am. An “All Hands” was called at 11:16 am sending additional firefighters and equipment to the scene. Firefighters had the fire under control within 10 minutes. No further information was available about the fire.
Photos by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News
UPDATE AT 5:15 PM INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE AND VEHCILES REMOVED FROM ROADWAY AND ROADWAY HAS REOPENED
South Brunswick Family In Need Of Help For Critically Injured Father In Robbinsville Crash
October 29, 2020
Preliminary report:
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Township Police were receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls for a two vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer and another vehicle on fire with a person trapped on Route 130 near Voelbel Road at 12:26 pm. The Robbinsville Township Police Department, Robbinsville Township Fire Department responded to the scene.
A witness stated, upon arrival civilians stopped to help as they were passing by, employees from Champion Carstar Collision ran over with extinguishers and Police used multiple fire extinguishers to knock down and hold back the fire from the occupant of the construction box van style truck.
When fire apparatus arrived firefighters quickly used a 1 3/4″ line to knock fire down the rest of fire in the engine compartment. Once fire was out the driver of the construction box truck had to be extricated using rescue tools then was turned over to EMS and Paramedics.
An additional rescue was called from Hamilton Township Fire Department, a total of 4 ambulances were called to the scene and two paramedic units.
The driver of the box construction truck was taken to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Medical Center in Trenton. The driver of the tractor trailer self extricated and was treated on scene, then transported. There was another injury reported on scene that refused medical advice and wished not to be transported.
The Robbinsville Township Police Department has the roadway shut down in the area on the North bound side and is rerouting traffic off of Route 130 in the area. Avoid the area until at least 5 pm this afternoon until the accident investigation is completed.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Accident Investigation Unit was on their was to the scene at the time of this report and will be assisting the Robbinsville Township Police in the investigation.
This is from preliminary reports, radio reports, witness and on scene reporting. Once official information from the Robbinsville Township Police becomes available the story will be updated and any additions and corrections made if needed.
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