BARNEGAT, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 7, 2021, Christopher Gregor, 29, of Barnegat, was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2), relative to an incident that occurred in Barnegat Township on March 20, 2021.
On April 2, 2021, Officers from the Stafford Township Police Department responded to Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin in reference to the death of a six-year-old male. In the course of investigating the child’s death, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad came into possession of evidence revealing that Gregor committed acts of abuse against the child in Barnegat Township on March 20, 2021.
On July 9, 2021, Gregor surrendered himself to the Barnegat Township Police Department. Gregor was processed and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he remains lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer would like to emphasize that the death of the child remains an ongoing investigation.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Stafford Township Police Department, Barnegat Township Police Department, Manalapan Township Police Department, and the Alcoa (Tennessee) Police Department, for their cooperative efforts in connection with 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).
Christopher Gregor, 29, of Barnegat
Christopher Gregor, 29, of Barnegat, was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2), relative to an incident that occurred in Barnegat Township on March 20, 2021.
WOODBRIDGE, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Director Robert Hubner of the Woodbridge Police Department announced today that a shooting in Iselin is under investigation.
On July 12, 2021, at approximately 2:45 A.M., authorities responded to the Delta Suites located at 515 Route 1 South following the report of a shooting. An initial investigation resulted in officers locating four individuals who sustained apparent gunshot wounds. The individuals were transported from the scene for medical attention.
Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Thomas Ratajczak of the Woodbridge Police Department at (732) 643-7700 or Detective Ryan Tighe of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745- 4060.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On August 3, 2021 from 5pm to 8pm Hamilton Police Division personnel will be conducting the 2021 Hamilton Police Division National Night Out at Veterans Park, 2206 Kuser Road (South Side), Hamilton, New Jersey. National Night Out is a program on the first Tuesday of August to provide the opportunity for the community to personally connect with their local police department and other first responders. Invited and expected to attend are some of the following organizations. Hamilton Fire Division, U.S. Coast Guard, New Jersey State Corrections, RWJ Hospital, Capital Health, U.S. Army, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Foley’s Market, YMCA, Brothers Pizza, Jersey Mikes, Pretzel Factory, BJ’s, doctors and nurses from RWJ Hospital and Capital Health, Home Depot and many other groups representing our community. We will have crafts and games for young kids. DJ Dan will be providing music. There will be many vendors and games to entertain everyone along with free food and drinks. For additional information or questions please email Detective Robert O’Hare rohare@hamiltonpd.org
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that 14 defendants were indicted today by a state grand jury in connection with the shooting of a New Jersey State Trooper last year in Pittsgrove.
Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings 22, Kareen “Kai” Warner, 20, and Tremaine Hadden, 28, all of Bridgeton, N.J., were each indicted today on charges including, among others, Attempted Murder (1st Degree) and Aggravated Assault (2nd Degree). Eleven other defendants were indicted on various charges.
The indictment stems from an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and New Jersey State Police into the shooting of State Police Detective Richard Hershey. It is alleged that the defendants were part of a five-car caravan that went to the Harding Woods mobile home park in Pittsgrove, Salem County, on the evening of Saturday, April 25, 2020, intending to attack and injure a resident there and damage her home. Members of the caravan were armed with at least two handguns, one knife, and one bottle, and Hutchings, Warner, and Hadden allegedly fired upon Detective Hershey. Detective Hershey was struck by one bullet during this encounter.
Detective Hershey discharged his weapon during the incident, and his use of force is the subject of a separate investigation under Directive 2019-4, the “Independent Prosecutor Directive,” issued by Attorney General Grewal in 2019.
“Detective Hershey was courageously responding to a dangerous situation in the midst of the COVID pandemic when he was shot in an ambush,” said Attorney General Grewal. “I promised at the outset of this investigation to bring all of those responsible to justice. As I said at the time, we won’t tolerate mob violence and we certainly won’t tolerate an attempt to murder a police officer.”
“This indictment is an important step in our efforts to hold all responsible who took part in this violent incident in which Detective Hershey was shot,” said Executive Director Thomas Eicher of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. “I commend all of the detectives and attorneys who conducted this investigation and presented this indictment to the state grand jury.”
“The brazen ambush attack of Detective Richard Hershey was a violent assault that put the lives of innocent bystanders in jeopardy. Detective Hershey stood his ground under a barrage of gunfire and his actions undoubtedly prevented this assault from becoming a mass casualty incident,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We never relented in our pursuit to hold these individuals accountable for their cowardly actions. These indictments send a clear message that attempted murder of a police officer will be met with swift justice.”
Hutchings, Warner, Hadden and Colby Opperman, 19, of Bridgeton, N.J., are charged in the indictment with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (2nd degree), and Hutchings, Hadden, and Warner are charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (2nd degree).
Ashley Acevedo-Diaz 23, of Bridgeton, N.J., is charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (3rd Degree) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (4th Degree). Melissa Romero 23, of Bridgeton, N.J., is charged with Conspiracy to Unlawfully Possess a Weapon (2nd Degree).
Hutchings, Warner, Hadden, Opperman, Acevedo-Diaz, Romero, Shakeem Waters, 32, of Bridgeton, N.J., Noel Lazu, 21, of Bridgeton, N.J., Thomas Nieves, 31, of Bridgeton, N.J., Markese Rogers, 26, of Pittsgrove, N.J., Chayana Diaz, 23, of Bridgeton, N.J., Rovell Mcarthur, 27, of Vineland, N.J., Aisha Mcarthur, 26, of Vineland, N.J., and Jenislen Quiles, 21, of Bridgeton, N.J., are charged in the indictment with Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault (2nd Degree) and Riot (3rd Degree). Hadden faces an additional charge of Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon (2nd Degree).
Imari Lazu, 23, of Bridgeton, N.J., who was charged previously in this incident, pleaded guilty this morning to Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering (2nd Degree). Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that she be sentenced to three years in state prison.
Hutchings, Warner, and Hadden allegedly opened fire on Detective Hershey at approximately 10:40 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2020 at the Harding Woods mobile home park on Harding Highway in Pittsgrove. At the time, Detective Hershey was investigating a home invasion that took place at the mobile home park several hours earlier in which a woman was beaten and robbed.
While Detective Hershey was conducting the investigation, a hostile mob of 15 people linked to the assailants in the home invasion arrived in a caravan of five vehicles. Some members of the caravan exited their vehicles and confronted Detective Hershey, who identified himself as a law enforcement officer and issued commands in an effort to control the intruders. Hutchings and Warner allegedly fired at Detective Hershey from one vehicle, and Hadden allegedly fired at him from another vehicle.
Detective Hershey was struck in the upper leg and seriously wounded. He returned fire with his service weapon and the suspects fled the scene.
The case was presented to the state grand jury by Deputy Attorneys General Rachael Weeks and Abigail R. Holmes, under the supervision of Deputy Attorney General Debra Conrad, who is Deputy Chief of the OPIA Integrity Bureau, Director Carolyn Murray, and OPIA Executive Director Eicher.
The shooting investigation was conducted by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, Division of Criminal Justice, and New Jersey State Police, specifically the Major Crime Unit South, Troop “A” Criminal Investigation Office, Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Cold Case Unit of the New Jersey State Police. Arrests were made by the New Jersey State Police Fugitive and TEAMS Units. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
First-degree attempted murder carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison, with a period of parole ineligibility equal to 85 percent of the sentence imposed, and a fine of up to $200,000. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Possession of a weapon as a convicted felon carries a mandatory minimum term of five years without parole. Unlawful possession of a weapon carries a mandatory term of parole ineligibility equal to one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed or 3 ½ years, whichever is greater. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to eighteen months in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard rescued three mariners after their vessel ran aground approximately 28 miles north west of Cape May, Sunday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Cape May received a relayed call from Cumberland County 911 dispatch regarding a 16-foot pleasure craft with three people aboard which ran aground near Back Creek.
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay diverted an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City to the scene.
Once on scene, the aircrew was able to safely hoist the three mariners and transport them to Millville Executive Airport.
No injuries were reported.
*Note Back Creek is Cumberland County just south of Sea Breeze.
The Coast Guard rescued three mariners after their vessel ran aground approximately 28 miles north west of Cape May, N.J., July 11, 2021. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City hoisted the three mariners and transported them to Millville Executive Airport in New Jersey. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City/Released
The Coast Guard rescued three mariners after their vessel ran aground approximately 28 miles north west of Cape May, N.J., July 11, 2021. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City hoisted the three mariners and transported them to Millville Executive Airport in New Jersey. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City/Released
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Several 9-1-1 calls were received reporting a vehicle on fire next to the gas pumps at the NJ Turnpike at the 6S Richard Stockton Service Area around 1:40 p.m., smoke could be seen billowing from the sky over 5 miles away. Hamilton Township Fire Department, Robbinsville Township Fire Department, Hope Fire Company of Allentown and Bordentown Township were dispatched to the scene of the fire.
Upon arrival first crews reported heavy fire from a vehicle and fire that was extending to gas pumps and the canopy over the gas pumps. Fire crews went in service with a 1 3/4″ hand line and quickly knocked down the fire. The ladder company extended the ladder to check for extension on top of the canopy.
The vehicle was destroyed as well as the gas pump suffered heavy damage. Heavy smoke and some flame damaged the canopy. It appeared that near by security camera was melted in the fire from the heat as well as the light fixtures.
The Robbinsville Township Fire Marshal was on scene investigating and assisting a Fire Marshal from the State of New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. There was no word on the cause and the fire is still under investigation. Fire Marshals were reviewing security footage at the time of this report.
NJ State Police were also on scene.
If more information becomes available the story will be updated.
On July 9, 2021, at approximately 3:40 a.m., a fire started at 213 Woodlawn Avenue which quickly engulfed both sides of the two and a half story, wood frame duplex, causing a partial roof collapse. A nine-month-old baby girl, identified as Malani Sanders, and a 42-year-old female, identified as Tiffany Abrams-Jones, were found deceased at the scene. Three additional individuals were transported to the hospital with critical burn injuries. One of those individuals, 50-year-old Prince Jones, succumbed to his injuries on July 11, 2021. Jones and Abrams-Jones were the grandparents of the baby.
July 12, 2021
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today that the Mercer County Homicide Task Force has arrested Michael Sanders for setting the July 9, 2021, Hamilton Township fire that killed three people.
Sanders, 23, of Trenton, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree felony murder, three counts of second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of second-degree aggravated arson and one count of causing widespread injury or damage. He was taken into custody early this morning at a hotel in Plainsboro. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Sanders pending trial.
The murder charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Arson Unit.
On July 9, 2021, at approximately 3:40 a.m., a fire started at 213 Woodlawn Avenue which quickly engulfed both sides of the two and a half story, wood frame duplex, causing a partial roof collapse. A nine-month-old baby girl, identified as Malani Sanders, and a 42-year-old female, identified as Tiffany Abrams-Jones, were found deceased at the scene. Three additional individuals were transported to the hospital with critical burn injuries. One of those individuals, 50-year-old Prince Jones, succumbed to his injuries on July 11, 2021. Jones and Abrams-Jones were the grandparents of the baby.
Detectives were able to retrieve video from numerous cameras in the area and speak to witnesses. One witness told detectives that during the night leading up to the fire, one of the residents of 213 Woodlawn Avenue, who is the mother of the deceased baby, received a text message from the baby’s father, Michael Sanders, telling her to get their baby out of the house.
Detectives determined that Sanders took a taxi from an area near his residence in Trenton and was dropped off approximately one block from 213 Woodlawn Avenue shortly after 3:00 a.m. Sanders, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt with the hood over his head, a mask, and white gloves, walked past the residence towards Greenwood Avenue approximately 15 minutes before the fire started. Detectives were also able to obtain surveillance video from the Fast Trac Gas Station on Greenwood Avenue from July 9, approximately 10 minutes before the fire, which showed Sanders making a purchase of what appears to be a dark colored torch lighter and cigars. During this purchase, he removed the mask covering his face. Sanders left the store and was observed walking on Woodlawn Avenue back in the direction of 213 Woodlawn. Approximately four minutes after Sanders passed that camera, the reflection of light from the fire at 213 Woodlawn can be seen on the video.
Additional video captured Sanders walking back to his residence on Bayard Street in Trenton. When he arrived on Bayard, he was no longer wearing a mask or gloves. Additionally, he was no longer wearing the dark hooded sweatshirt. After reviewing this video, detectives canvassed that area and recovered a dark hooded sweatshirt a few doors down from Sanders’ residence in the bottom of a basement stairway.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call HTF Detective Jennifer Eyster at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sanders, 23, of Trenton, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree felony murder, three counts of second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of second-degree aggravated arson and one count of causing widespread injury or damage. He was taken into custody early this morning at a hotel in Plainsboro. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Sanders pending trial.
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