EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–East Windsor Fire Company and Hightstown Fire Company were dispatched to Mercer Street / Route 33 across from Home Depot for a tractor on fire around 2:18 p.m. Responding units reported a large column of smoke in the area and upon arrival found a well involved NJ DOT tractor on fire. Firefighters used water and firefighting foam to put the fire out. There was a small diesel spill on the side of the roadway and the NJ Department of Environmental protection was called. The roadway was shut down and a detour was set up in the area until the situation could be resolved.
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Lawrence Township fire companies were dispatched to 6 Litho Road at 12:58 p.m. for a reported fire alarm. Upon arrival of the Fire Marshal and first units a smoke condition was found and an “all hands fire” was called, sending additional equipment to the scene. Evacuating employees also reported a machine on fire on the 2nd floor mezzanine and used a dry chemical extinguisher on the fire.
Mutual aid was called to the scene from Hamilton Township Fire Department and other surrounding departments covered Lawrence Stations. Workers were evacuated to their evacuation area across the street on Litho Road.
Firefighters stretched a hand line to a machine on the 2nd floor mezzanine and the fire was extinguished. Crews were sent to the roof and other areas to check for any extension. The fire was brought under control at 1:27 p.m.
The Lawrence Township Fire Marshal is investigating the fire.
TRENTON (MERCER)– A Burlington County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 28 months in prison for attempting to interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder when he attempted to set fire to a police vehicle during a civil disorder in the City of Trenton, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Killian F. Melecio, 20, of Columbus, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of attempting to obstruct, impede, or interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder affecting commerce.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On May 31, 2020, large-scale protests were held throughout the United States, including in Trenton, in response to the death of George Floyd. Although the May 31st protest in Trenton was peaceful earlier in the day, violence erupted later. A group of individuals proceeded down East State Street in downtown Trenton and began to smash store fronts, loot stores, and attack multiple marked Trenton Police Department vehicles parked on the 100 Block of East State Street.
A City of Trenton street camera and other video footage taken by an individual present on the street captured Kadeem Dockery light an explosive device and throw it through the open front driver’s side window of a Trenton Police Department vehicle. Dockery then removed his shirt and handed it to Melecio, who then attempted to stuff the shirt in the gas tank of the police vehicle and ignite it. Melecio was then assisted by Justin Spry in attempting to set fire to the police vehicle. Law enforcement officers on scene arrested Spry, but Melecio and Dockery fled. Law enforcement later identified Melecio and Dockery through analysis of street camera and other video footage. They were arrested on Aug. 5, 2020.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Melecio to three years of supervised release. Spry and Dockery have previously pleaded guilty. Spry is scheduled to sentenced on Aug. 3, 2021, and Docker is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 21, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI and task force officers of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. She also thanked officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Acting Police Director James Slack; troopers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; and officers of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, under the direction of Commissioner Marcus O. Hicks, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Ramey and Michelle S. Gasparian of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations remaining against Kadeem Dockery and Justin Spry are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP (MERCER)– A possible hit and run is to blame after a vehicle struck a Hamilton Police cruiser head on, Sunday evening.
The crash occurred around 8:00 pm. Prior to police arrival, the minivan was seen facing the wrong direction in the Whitehorse Circle after a possible minor crash (pictured in dash cam screen grabs below). It appears that when police arrived on the scene, the vehicle attempted to flee, where it then crashed into a police cruiser head on while continuing in the wrong lane of travel.
It is unknown if anyone was injured in the crash, or if anyone was arrested.
MidJersey.news has reached out to Hamilton Police for information. The post will be updated and any corrections made if information is released.
Vehicle strikes Hamilton police cruiser at Whitehorse Circle. Photos by Tyler Eckel.
Dash cam screen grabs show the incident prior to police arrival, the vehicle can be seen stopped in the Whitehorse circle facing the wrong way.
NEWARK, NJ –Two high-ranking members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club were arrested today for assault in aid of racketeering, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Luis Arocho, aka “LuRoc,” 43, of Keansburg, New Jersey, and Maurice Guzman, aka “Dawg,” 51, of Newark, are charged by complaint with one count of aggravated assault in aid of racketeering. They are scheduled to appear by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre.
“Today’s arrests are the latest in a long-running investigation into the illegal activities of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club,” Acting U.S. Attorney Honig said. “We have now charged 11 members of this outlaw gang with various weapons, drug-trafficking and violent crimes. Together with our federal, state, and local partners, we remain fully committed to combatting violent crime in New Jersey and prosecuting the members of the criminal organizations who are responsible for it.”
“This investigation has dealt a significant blow to the Pagans motorcycle gang,” Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson said. “The use of violence, weapons, and intimidation was standard for this criminal organization, and law enforcement made it clear that their behavior would not be tolerated. It is a bad day for the Pagans when the combined forces of DEA, ATF, New Jersey State Police and Union County detectives come after you. These arrests made New Jersey safer and this investigation demonstrated the determination of DEA and our amazing partners to pursue the most violent criminal gangs who choose to violate the law.”
“I can say without question that our collective efforts have disrupted and dismantled the daily illegal activities of the Pagans outlaw motorcycle gang, by strategically removing their most violent and most egregious firearm and drug trafficking members and associates,” ATF Newark Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C. Taylor said. “This collaborative investigation will undoubtedly make communities safer throughout our state and beyond.”
“The success and scale of this investigation is a testament to the impact a collaboration between law enforcement agencies can have on the safety and security of our communities,” Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of investigators and prosecutors in this long-term effort, which occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, dangerous actors, along with mass quantities of narcotics and firearms, have been removed from our streets.”
“Long-term operations of this magnitude require a tremendous amount of work and patience by cooperating detectives, and while the full scope and impact of this investigation may yet be fully realized, its success continues a year after it began,” Col. Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said. “I commend the hard work and dedication of all the agencies involved. Their efforts have led to the arrests of violent offenders and the seizure of weapons and drugs, which has undoubtedly made our communities safer.”
According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in court:
On April 24, 2018, Arocho, Guzman, and other associates of the Pagans assaulted an associate of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club at a gas station in Newark. The Pagans and the Hells Angels have a long-standing rivalry. The victim was beaten with an axe handle, punched, and kicked by the Pagans assailants, resulting in significant injuries. Both Arocho and Guzman are high-ranking leaders in the Pagans’ organization.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig also announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Nicholas Bucciarelli, aka “Booch,” 56, of Brooklawn, New Jersey, with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, arising from his commission of a gang-related gunpoint assault in which an associate of the Pagans was assaulted for breaking the organization’s rules. Nicholas Marino, aka “Lefty,” 75, of Williamstown, New Jersey, Anthony D’Alessandro, aka “Fugit,” 55, of Williamstown, New Jersey, and Michael Dorazo, aka “Cage,” 42, of Gloucester City, New Jersey, were previously charged by federal criminal complaint for their roles in the assault. At the time of their arrests, Bucciarelli was the sergeant at arms for the Pagans’ Camden County membership chapter, Marino and D’Alessandro served as the president and sergeant at arms, respectively, for the Pagans’ Gloucester County membership chapter, and Dorazo was a member of the Pagans. Bucciarelli was also indicted for distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine.
These charges were filed as part of a multi-agency investigation into the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club – an outlaw motorcycle gang known to engage in illegal activity, including narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, and violent crimes. The Pagans have established membership chapters in numerous states and U.S. territories, including multiple active chapters in New Jersey. This investigation involved court-authorized wiretaps, the use of multiple undercover law enforcement agents, and execution of multiple search warrants at physical locations in multiple jurisdictions. Through the investigation, law enforcement seized 10 firearms and more than 800 grams of methamphetamine.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office previously announced the arrest of Keith Richter , aka “Conan” – the national president of the Pagans – in connection with his illegal possession of a firearm on Feb. 20, 2021. Those charges remain pending.
Law enforcement officials also previously arrested the following individuals in connection with the investigation. (Each of the defendants is charged by federal criminal complaint; the specific charges and corresponding penalties are listed in the chart below.)
Larry Ortiz, aka “Savage,” 31, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Junius Aquino, aka “Jayo,” 38, of Vauxhall, New Jersey, were charged with aggravated assault in aid of racketeering and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence for their roles in a gang-related shooting. On Oct. 28, 2020, Ortiz and Aquino shot at an associate of a rival gang while driving on the New Jersey Turnpike. The shooting was committed as part of an ongoing dispute between the Pagans and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
Aquino was also charged in a separate criminal complaint with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon in connection with a shooting that occurred three days later. On Oct. 31, 2020, Aquino shot at an occupied vehicle in Elizabeth. Law enforcement officers recovered seven .40 caliber shell casings from the shooting scene. On Nov. 5, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Aquino’s residence and recovered, among other items, multiple .40 caliber rounds of ammunition and approximately 50 grams of cocaine. After law enforcement officers recovered the cocaine from Aquino’s residence, Aquino was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. At the time of Aquino’s arrest, he was the vice president of the Pagans’ Elizabeth membership chapter.
Ortiz was also charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On Nov. 17, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Ortiz’s residence and recovered approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. At the time of his arrest, Ortiz was the president of the Pagans’ Jersey City membership chapter.
Daniel Hooban, aka “Jersey,” 33, of Bayonne, New Jersey, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On June 29, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hooban’s residence and recovered approximately 30 grams of cocaine and a loaded firearm. At the time of Hooban’s arrest, he was the sergeant at arms for the Pagans’ Jersey City membership chapter.
Glen Turner, aka “Glenny,” 73, of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Turner is a long-time member of the Pagans. On Dec. 10, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Turner’s residence and recovered approximately 450 grams of methamphetamine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited a joint task force comprised of special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gibson; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Taylor; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Ruotolo; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Callahan, with the investigation leading to these charges.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.; special agents of the FBI, Cherry Hill Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Driscoll in Philadelphia; the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Timothy D. Sini; the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Chief Giacomo Sacca; and the West Deptford Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Chambers, for their assistance with this investigation.
These cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Frazer, R. Joseph Gribko, and Samantha C. Fasanello, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints and indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
21-288
Defendant/Docket Number
Position
Charges
Penalties
Keith Richter,aka “Conan”Mag. No. 21-10099
National President
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
10 year statutory maximum
Luis Arochoaka “LuRoc”Mag. No. 21-9365
Mother Club Member, New Jersey
Aggravated assault in aid of racketeering
20 year statutory maximum
Maurice Guzmanaka “Dawg”Mag. No. 21-9365
President of Presidents, New Jersey
Aggravated assault in aid of racketeering
20 year statutory maximum
Larry Ortiz,aka “Savage”Mag. Nos. 20-8455, 21-9041
President, Jersey City Chapter
Discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence;Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering;Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine;Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
10 year mandatory minimum; up to life20 year statutory maximum10 year mandatory minimum; up to life5 year mandatory minimum; up to life
Discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence;Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering;Possession with intent to distribute cocaine;Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon;
10 year mandatory minimum; up to life20 year statutory maximum20 year statutory maximum10 year statutory maximum
Daniel Hooban,aka “Jersey”Mag. No. 20-9262
Sergeant at arms, Jersey City Chapter
Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimePossession with intent to distribute cocaine;Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
5 year mandatory minimum; up to life20 year statutory maximum10 year statutory maximum
Nicholas Marino,aka “Lefty”Mag. No. 20-12328
President, Gloucester County Chapter
Brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence;Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
7 year mandatory minimum; up to life20 year statutory maximum
Anthony D’Alessandro,aka “Fugit”Mag. No. 20-12328
Sergeant at arms, Gloucester County Chapter
Brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence;Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
7 year mandatory minimum; up to life20 year statutory maximum
Nicholas Bucciarelli,aka “Booch”TBD
Sergeant at arms, Camden County Chapter
Brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence;Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering;Possession of firearms by a convicted felonPossession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine
7 year mandatory minimum; up to life20 year statutory maximum10 year statutory maximum5 year mandatory minimum; up to 40 years
Michael Dorazo,aka “Cage”Mag. No. 20-12328
Member
Possession of firearms by a convicted felon
10 year statutory maximum
Glen Turner,aka “Glenny”Mag. No. 20-13551
Member
Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–On Sunday, June 27, 2021 at approximately 10:09 a.m. the Wall Township Police Department responded to the area 2415 State Highway 35 for a report of a head-on collision. The on scene investigation revealed that a 26-year-old Wall Township man, was operating a 2017 BMW on State Highway 35 southbound when he collided with a 2013 Toyota Camry being operated by an 82-year-old Brick Township man that was traveling northbound of State Highway 35.
The driver of the Toyota Camry was extricated from his vehicle by South Wall Fire Rescue. He suffered serious injuries and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center by Wall Township Police Emergency Medical Services. Hackensack-Meridian paramedics were on scene and assisted with first aid. The 26-year-old driver of the BMW was also transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center by Wall Township Police Emergency Medical Services for minor injuries.
State Highway 35 was shut down from the Manasquan Traffic Circle to Lakewood Road for approximately three and half hours while members of the Wall Township Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team investigated the collision. The New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Department of Transportation Emergency Response Team also responded to the scene.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information pertaining to the investigation is asked to contact Lieutenant Chad Clark at (732) 449-4500 ext. 1143 or Ptl. Megan Alexander at (732) 449-4500 ext. 1183.
For any additional information please contact the Wall Police Public Information Officer:
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