The Bordentown Township Police Department announced today of the arrest of a Hamilton Township man for possession of an untraceable “ghost gun.”
The incident originated on June 19th at approximately 12:45 am when Ptl. Zackman stopped a Chevrolet Malibu on Rt. 206. Following a K9 alert a search was conducted of the vehicle which led to the seizure of a 9mm Glock handgun that lacked a serial number loaded with hollow point ammunition. The firearm also contained a large capacity magazine and a passenger in the Malibu, Jaquan Picott, age – 26, of East McGalliard Ave. Hamilton NJ 08610 was arrested for possessing such.
Picott was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon, being a certain person not to have weapons, unlawful possession of a large capacity magazine and possession of a defaced firearm. He was then committed to the Burlington County Jail.
Ptl. Czepiel and his K9 “Bolo” of the Florence Township Police Department assisted in this incident.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
BURLINGTON, NJ (BURLINGTON)–The City of Burlington Police Department has charged four (4) individuals with Arson and Related Offenses in regards to the U.S. Pipe Foundry and McNeal Mansion Property Fires that destroyed two buildings, and damaged two others. The first fire was on April 26, 2021, and the second incident occurred on June 7, 2021
During the course of the investigation, detectives located video depicting the four individuals entering the Mansion property off of East Pearl Boulevard and then returning after the fires were set. A resident’s home camera captured a suspect vehicle and persons of interest which was released publicly. A citizen tip led to the discovery of the vehicle in Gloucester Township, Camden County. During the interviews and further investigation, it was determined that the four (4) subjects depicted in the video were in fact the ones who started the fires. The individuals charged are as follows:
Gabriel Vance, Age 20, Berlin, NJ, Charged with Arson (2 counts), Criminal Mischief (2 counts) and Criminal Trespassing (2 counts). Lodged in Burlington County Jail pending court appearance.
Summer Wisor, Age 20, Sicklerville, NJ, Charged with Criminal Mischief (2 counts) and Criminal Trespassing (2 counts). Released pending a court appearance in compliance with N.J. Bail Reform Laws.
Daniel Badecki, Age 18, Audubon, NJ, Charged with Criminal Mischief (1 count) and Criminal Trespassing (1 count). Released pending a court appearance in compliance with N.J. Bail Reform Laws.
Ryan Gibbs, Age 19, Blackwood, NJ, Charged with Criminal Mischief (1 count) and Criminal Trespassing (1 count). Released pending a court appearance in compliance with N.J. Bail Reform Laws.
The motive behind the fires is still being investigated as well if they were involved in any other fires in the region. If someone has more information, they are urged to contact the lead investigator, Detective Jamie Lambing at 609-386-0262 Ext. 270.
Assisting agencies include the City of Burlington, County of Burlington, and New Jersey State Fire Marshall’s Office, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Gloucester Township Police Department, Runnemede Borough Police Department, Philadelphia Police Department, New Jersey State Police, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (June 22, 2021) — The New Jersey PGA Section (NJPGA) and its charitable arm, the New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF)—in conjunction with PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America—has named U.S. Air Force Veteran Jared Forest (Jackson, NJ) as a PGA WORKS Fellow.
Forest, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 2010-16 is part of the 2021 PGA WORKS Fellow class. Established in 2017, the PGA WORKS Fellowship is a grant program facilitating nine-12-month paid positions for recent college graduates. Focused on engaging an inclusive demographic of participants—with consideration to gender, age, race, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability and Veteran status—the PGA WORKS Fellowship is designed to establish a strong bench of talent prepared to ascend into key employment positions within the business of golf.
As a PGA WORKS Fellow, Forest’s primary responsibilities will be to support the Foundation’s full lineup of programs headlined by PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) the flagship military program of the NJGF, which introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Forest will also provide operations support for NJPGA tournaments and events.
After graduating from Jackson Memorial High School, Forest joined the Air Force in 2010 where he was primarily stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, CA as a member of the 412th Security Forces Squadron. During his service, he graduated from the Community College of the Air Force with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. After serving 2 deployments and 13 months in deployed locations, Forest received the Air Force Achievement Medal for his action in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2016, after 6 years of service, Forest decided it was time to pursue his love for sports and continued his education at Temple University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management. His passion for sports led him to serve as a General Analyst in the Temple University Sports Industry Research Center, Player Personnel Manager for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League and the Communications Coordinator for the New York Guardians of the XFL. Today, he is currently enrolled at the University of Florida as he pursues a Master of Science in Sport Management with a concentration in Athlete Development.
“I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to work with the New Jersey Section of the PGA and the New Jersey Golf Foundation,” said Forest. “It has always been my goal to translate my experiences and background in sports in a way that will help my brothers and sisters in the Veteran sector. I am looking forward to aiding in whatever way I can to continue to expand the mission of the New Jersey Golf Foundation as it positively impacts lives and communities through the game of golf.”
“As a military Veteran and a passionate sports enthusiast, Forest will be instrumental in leading the continued growth of our successful PGA HOPE program, while supporting core programs and special events for the NJ Section and NJ Golf Foundation,” said New Jersey Golf Foundation Executive Director Chris Hunt.
The PGA WORKS Fellowship is a nine-12-month paid position, funded by PGA REACH, which currently hosts Fellows in the following PGA Sections: Carolinas, Connecticut, Gateway, Metropolitan, Michigan, Middle Atlantic, New Jersey, Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio, Western New York and South Florida. Forest is the fourth PGA WORKS Fellow for the New Jersey Section.
For more information on PGA REACH, visit pgareach.org
A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was indicted today for his role in a scheme to defraud banks of more than $1 million using stolen and counterfeited checks and stolen identities, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Benjamin Rich, 37, of Edison, New Jersey, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Rich and two other men, Felix Alamo and Frank Ambrosio, both of Brooklyn, New York, were previously charged by complaint with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Rich, Alamo, and certain conspirators agreed to defraud banks across New Jersey by using the stolen personal identification information of other individuals to open fraudulent bank accounts and deposit stolen and counterfeited checks. Rich used stolen identities, which included Social Security numbers belonging to minors, to create sham businesses. Rich, Alamo, and others opened bank accounts for the sham businesses and deposited stolen or counterfeited checks into the accounts and attempted to withdraw or transfer the funds before the banks could detect the fraud. Rich and his conspirators deposited approximately $1 million in fraudulently obtained checks into the fraudulent business bank accounts, resulting in at least $250,000 in losses to the various banks.
The charge of bank fraud carries a maximum of 30 years in prison and a statutory maximum fine $1 million, or twice the gain derived or loss loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest.
The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a statutory minimum term of two years in prison, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on the bank fraud charge, and a statutory maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gain derived or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest. Alamo previously pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on July 21, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney Hopkins, and special agents of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Andrew McKay, with the investigation leading to today’s indictment.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Perry Farhat of the Government Fraud Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
The charges and allegations against Rich and Ambrosio are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
21-285
Defense counsel: Mitchell Elman Esq., Garden City, New York
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 23, 2021, Allissa DeStefano, age 30, of Toms River, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on three counts of Animal Cruelty in violation of N.J.S.A. 4-22-17c(2).
During the evening hours of November 11, 2019, the Lacey Township Police Department responded to a residence in Lacey Township for a report that dogs had possibly been abandoned in the residence. Upon arrival, the officers determined that the house was indeed abandoned, and the remains of three dogs were discovered. An investigation by Detectives from the Lacey Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that DeStefano was responsible for the care of the dogs and had abandoned them in the residence, which resulted in their death. DeStefano was arrested without incident, and processed at the Lacey Township Police Department. She was released on a summons pending a future court date.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Kimberly Carr who is handling the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Lacey Township Police Department for their collaborative efforts relative to this investigation resulting in DeStefano’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).
LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lacey Township Police Chief Michael DiBella announced that on June 23, 2021 and June 24, 2021, Ross Miserendino, 55, of Lacey Township, and Enrique Roldan, 42, of Jackson, were charged with Theft in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3. Miserendino was also charged with one count of Theft in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3; Uttering a Forged Instrument in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1a(3); Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6h; and Making a False Statement in Procuring Issuance of a Credit Card in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6h.
The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Lacey Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad. The investigation revealed that beginning in 2019, the victim of these offenses had medical issues arise which caused her to be temporarily unable to manage her finances. Miserendino, whom was in a romantic relationship with the victim at the time, agreed to assist her by paying her bills for her, and was given access to her checks and bank account information for that purpose. Between 2019 and 2020, Miserendino signed the victim’s name without her authorization on 146 checks totaling $171,000. The majority of those checks were written out to Enrique Roldan, while others were written directly to Miserendino. Both Roldan and Miserendino shared in the proceeds of the theft. Additionally, during that time period Miserendino stole approximately $11,000 worth of personal property located at the victim’s residence in Lacey Township. Miserendino also obtained an American Express credit card in the victim’s name without her authorization, and subsequently made approximately $34,000 worth of charges on that card for his benefit.
Miserendino and Roldan were processed and released on a summons pending a future court date.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief DiBella would like to acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and the Lacey Township Police Department for their collaborative efforts in this investigation.
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).
Ross Miserendino, 55, of Lacey Township, and Enrique Roldan, 42, of Jackson, were charged with Theft
BELMAR BOROUGH, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The NJ State Police will be setting up at sobriety checkpoint this weekend in Belmar Borough. See NJSP information below:
In an effort to make our roads safer and reduce crashes attributed to driving while under the influence, the New Jersey State Police will set up a sobriety checkpoint on Saturday, June 26, in the Belmar Borough, Monmouth County area. If you see someone you believe is posing a hazard because of poor driving behaviors, please dial #77 from a hands-free mobile device to contact the aggressive driver tip line and make a report. Be ready to give a description of the vehicle and occupants, a location and direction, and a license plate if possible.Troopers will be looking for signs of impairment due to alcohol or drugs. If you plan on drinking, have a designated driver, arrange for transportation, or stay where you are. It is not worth the risk of hurting or killing yourself, a friend, a loved one, or innocent motorist.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Acting Trenton Police Director James Slack today announced that a Trenton woman has been arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe TPD detectives who were investigating her taxi company.
The co-owner of Primo Taxi, Maria Puma, 53, was arrested on June 23, 2021 and charged with two counts of bribery.
In May 2021, the TPD Violent Crimes Rapid Response Unit (VCRR) was conducting taxicab inspections due to rider complaints. During the investigation, Puma allegedly contacted detectives and offered $200 a week to stop any enforcement actions taken against her company and instead redirect those actions against competing taxi companies.
On June 23, 2021, undercover TPD detectives met with Puma, who arrived at the agreed upon location in one of her taxicabs. During the meeting, Puma allegedly handed an undercover detective a $200 cash bribe. Puma was then placed under arrest. The currency and the taxicab she used to travel to the meeting were seized.
Acting Director Slack credited VCRR detectives under the direction of Captain Darren Zappley with the investigation.
These charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. This is an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information related to this case should contact the TPD anonymous tip line at (609) 989-3784.
MidJersey.News 
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