TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Prosecutors Office reports that the Mercer County Homicide Task Force is at the scene of a fatal shooting in the 1400 block of Stuyvesant Avenue. Police responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:15 pm and discovered an adult male shot. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. Police have a suspect in custody and preliminary investigation suggests the homicide is the result of a domestic dispute.
This is a developing story, check back later for updates.
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–MidJersey.News was able to capture possible tornadic activity in the area of Old York Road and the NJ Turnpike. The clouds with rotation indicating a possible tornado was spotted behind the Field Of Terror off of Windsor Prineville Road as it moved toward Millstone Township. Further down the road the tornadic activity crossed Winsor Prineville Road towards Roosevelt and Clarksburg.
Just prior to the possible tornado spotting there were reports of damage to a building on Route 130 in Robbinsville and wires down near Gordon Road, Perrineville Road and Allen’s Road.
Several people were stuck in vehicles around the area including Mercer Street Hightstown, Main Street Hightstown, One Mile Road East Windsor, Route 571 East and West Windsor.
MidJersey.News will be out in the morning to check for damage in the areas where the possible tornado was spotted. This is the same area where the NWS reported the rotation.
Clouds with rotation spotted from Old York Road near the NJ Turnpike and seen here behind the Field of Terror off Perrineville Road this evening.
Several cars were stuck on Mercer Street in Hightstown and were being towed from the flood waters by the Post Office.
Cars stuck on One Mile Road being towed from the flood waters.
Some cars stalled out and some made it though the flood waters in East Windsor between Burger King and Wendy’s near the Colinade Motel on Route 130. Route 130 north bound was closed shortly after these photos were taken.
National Weather Service Mount Holly products showing tornado warnings in the area.
Tornado Warning including West Freehold NJ, Freehold NJ, Twin Rivers NJ until 7:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/QqqrvqWxAi
7 PM Thursday Update: There remain two tornadic storms in the area. One is on the NE Philly/Bucks County line moving SE, another is in SW Mercer County moving into Western Monmouth and northern Ocean Counties. For the latest info: https://t.co/LgidMYSCqNpic.twitter.com/V16SeTQuCi
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Around 12:30 p.m. a teen was struck on Adeline Street. Trenton Police, Trenton Fire Department, TEMS and Paramedics responded to the scene. It appeared that the bicyclist was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
No other information is available about the accident at this time. If updated information is received the story will be updated.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Mercer County, New Jersey, man today admitted attempting to interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder when he attempted to set fire to a police vehicle during a riot in the City of Trenton, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Earlja J. Dudley, 28, of Trenton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty 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 riot, smashing store fronts, looting stores, and attacking 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 Earlja Dudley and an unidentified male open the hood of a police vehicle. Dudley was then joined by another unidentified male who ignited an object that Dudley was holding. Dudley then placed the flaming object into the engine well of the police vehicle attempting to set the police vehicle on fire. Law enforcement later identified Dockery through analysis of street camera and other video footage and he was arrested on Aug. 5, 2020.
Dudley pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to obstruct, impede, or interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder affecting commerce, on May 19, 2021.
The charge of attempting to interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder to which Dudley has now pleaded guilty pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Dudley is the fourth of four individuals charged in connection with the May 31, 2020 protest in Trenton, New Jersey to have entered a guilty plea. Defendant Killian F Melecio was sentenced in June of 2021 to a term of 28 months imprisonment and three years supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti. Defendants Kadeem A. Dockery and Justin D. Spry and are scheduled to be sentenced in September and October, 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 Police Director Steve E. Wilson; 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.
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Defense counsel: Lisa Van Hoeck., Trenton, New Jersey
Alleged Leader Charles M. Willis and Others Charged in 2019 Murder and 2020 Shooting That Left 12-Year-Old Girl in Critical Condition
July 29, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck today announced the indictment of 20 alleged members and associates of the “Get Money Boys” or “GMB,” a violent gang allegedly linked to multiple shootings in Trenton, including a December 2019 murder of a 32-year-old man, the attempted murder of a police officer in February 2020, and a June 2020 shooting that wounded several bystanders on Wood Street, including a 12-year-old girl who was critically injured.
Acting on intelligence from the Trenton Police Department about alleged gun violence by GMB members, the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau began investigating the gang and its alleged leader, Charles M. Willis, aka “Charly Wingate” or “Gate,” in late 2019. They collaborated with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Trenton Police Department, West Windsor Police Department, Hamilton Police Department, Ewing Police Department, Mercer County Shooting Response Team, and Mercer County Corrections.
The investigation led to numerous arrests last summer as violence linked to GMB escalated during the COVID pandemic, culminating in the June 3, 2020 shooting on Wood Street. Alleged GMB member Davion Fenderson allegedly attempted to murder a man, firing from a car at a crowded porch. The targeted man was only grazed, but gunfire struck three other victims, critically injuring two—a man who was shot in the chest, and the 12-year-old girl, who was shot in the abdomen.
Investigators—who had already arrested Willis and five associates in connection with the December 2019 murder, the attempted murder of the police officer, and another prior shooting—arrested 10 more alleged GMB members beginning two days after the Wood Street shooting.
The July 23, 2021 indictment charges all 20 defendants with first-degree racketeering. Fenderson was directly indicted for attempted murder and aggravated assault in the Wood Street shooting, and the indictment also charges Willis with those offenses for allegedly ordering the shooting. In addition, On February 12, 2020, GMB members allegedly shot at two men, causing them to crash their car, and when a police officer pursued the GMB members, they allegedly fired at him. The officer was not hit. Those men and Willis are charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault in the shooting involving the two civilians.
“We can and must end gun violence in New Jersey, and this latest indictment reflects our commitment to doing so,” said Acting Attorney General Bruck. “We are using every tool and resource at our disposal to keep the residents of New Jersey safe.”
“The Division of Criminal Justice and its partners acted with a sense of urgency when they arrested members of this gang last summer as violence escalated,” said Director Lyndsay V. Ruotolo of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Because of the intelligence-driven investigation we had conducted, we were prepared to act swiftly to protect Trenton residents. This indictment is an important next step in our efforts to keep the community safe by keeping these alleged gang members behind bars.”
“The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office is extremely proud of major collaborative investigations such as the one that led to these indictments,” said Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri. “When we all partner together to stop the criminal activities that threaten the safety of our citizens, we send a message to these violent gang members that their destruction won’t be tolerated in our communities.”
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to our law enforcement partners and the residents of Trenton to continue to aggressively pursue violent criminals and criminal organizations whose actions far too often have tragic and unintended consequences—like the shooting of an innocent 12-year-old child,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Today’s indictments are the first step to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.”
It is alleged that the Get Money Boys, under the leadership of Willis, controlled heroin and cocaine distribution in the area around the Oakland Street Apartments in Trenton. Willis allegedly gave orders to lower ranking GMB members to carry out acts of violence against rivals on behalf of the gang. In addition to being charged with other defendants in first-degree counts of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder, Willis is charged with first-degree leader of a narcotics trafficking network and first-degree promoting organized street crime.
Many of the defendants face narcotics and/or weapons offenses. In addition, the 61-count indictment charges defendants in connection with the following shootings:
Sept. 17, 2019 Shooting. Shaiquan Hearns is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses for allegedly shooting a man in the leg in the early morning hours of Sept. 17, 2019 on Lamberton Street in Trenton.
Dec. 27, 2019 Murder of Michael Barnes. Michael Barnes, 32, was shot in the face on Commonwealth Avenue in Trenton on the night of Dec. 27. Davion Fenderson, Willis, Hearns, and Richard Fenderson are charged with murder.
Feb. 12, 2020 Shooting of Civilians and Attempted Murder of Police Officer. On Feb. 12, GMB members allegedly shot at two men, causing them to crash their car. When a police officer pursued the GMB members, they allegedly fired at him. He was not hit. Hearns, Dion Battle, and Yahonatan Salter are charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault in the shooting involving the officer. Those men and Willis are charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault in the shooting involving the two civilians.
May 1, 2020 Shooting. On the night of May 1, 2020, five GMB members allegedly opened fire on a group of individuals on Sanhican Drive in Trenton, wounding two men. Willis, Shawn Anderson, Bobby Hood, Zaire Jackson, and David Williams are charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses in that shooting.
The state grand jury indictment is posted online at
The indictment charges the following defendants with first-degree racketeering and other offenses:
Charles M. Willis, 28, of Willingboro, N.J.
Shaiquan Hearns, 22, of Trenton, N.J.
Davion Fenderson, 27, of Trenton, N.J.
Richard Fenderson, 33, of Trenton, N.J.
Bobby Hood, 29, of Trenton, N.J.
Dion Battle, 29, of Trenton, N.J.
Yahonatan Salter, 29, of Trenton, N.J.
Shawn Anderson, 23, of Trenton, N.J.
Zaire Jackson, 26, of Trenton, N.J.
David Williams, 29, of Camden, N.J.
Dahquay Poole, 18, of Trenton, N.J.
Tre Whetstone, 27, of Trenton, N.J.
Charles J. Willis (Willis’ father), 50, of Lawrenceville, N.J.
Fredrick Eutsey, 46, of Ewing, N.J.
John M. Colvin Jr., 24, of Trenton, N.J.
Laurence Green, 45, of Trenton, N.J.
Briana Blue, 24, of Princeton, N.J.
Tameka Flemming, 31, of Trenton, N.J.
Ashley Jones, 31, of Trenton, N.J.
Brittani Mims, 32, of Trenton, N.J.
Acting Attorney General Bruck commended all of the prosecutors, detectives, investigators and officers who participated in the investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Trenton Police Department, Trenton Shooting Response Team, and New Jersey Department of Corrections.
Deputy Attorneys General Cassandra Montalto and Jaclyn Poulton presented the indictment to the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Cassandra Montalto, Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis, and DCJ Deputy Director Annmarie Taggart.
The detectives who conducted the investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice are Lt. Brian Woolston, Sgt. Kevin Gannon, Detective Scott Caponi, former Detective Zachary Grey, and other members of the Gangs & Organized Crime Central Squad, under the supervision of former Lt. Brian Bruton, Deputy Chief of Detectives Frederic Moore, and Chief of Detectives Weldon Powell.
First-degree murder carries a sentence of life in state prison, including 30 years of parole ineligibility, while the first-degree charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder carry a sentence of 10 to 30 years in state prison. The other first-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison and fine of up to $200,000. The racketeering charge carries a period of parole ineligibility equal to 85 percent of the sentence imposed.
Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Possession of a weapon as a convicted felon carries a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of five years, and unlawful possession of a weapon carries a mandatory period of parole ineligibility equal to one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed or three years, whichever is greater. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–On July 15, 2021, Smart MS3, a healthtech company building an evidence-based physical therapy solution, was accepted into Newchip’s renowned global accelerator program. With only a 7% acceptance rate, it provides over $750,000 in benefits and resources over the course of 24 weeks. This gives us ample time to learn about the expertise and knowledge that is needed to develop a startup while also furthering the development of the wearable device.
Today, 7 out of 10 patients never finish their physical therapy recovery process. Unfortunately the effect of this is twofold, not only does the patient remain injured, but the average clinic loses over $240,000 yearly due to their low retention rate. This is a loss for both patients and clinics. Our team is here to flip the script and provide a positive outlook by building a wearable solution which can objectively track the recovery progress of patients and keep them engaged.
We conducted trials at physical therapy clinics in which we found that our device has aided the clinics and patients in 2 major ways! It has increased the patient’s confidence within the PT by 5x and also kept a 100% retention rate throughout this 3-month trial. Having been provided resources by Newchip, we look to further test and develop our device until our demo day in September. “We are excited for Smart MS3 and believe they will do well at Newchip.”
The trial has helped over 40 patients and we look to continue collaborating with physical therapy clinics around New Jersey. Having worked with patients has made us realize that our device provides reassurance that exercises recommended by the physical therapists are improving their current state. Over the next few months we are looking to expand our start-up to bigger physical therapy networks.
Follow our journey through our website as we revolutionize the physical therapy industry.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported today that an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force has led to the arrest of a Trenton man for the recent shooting death of 53-year-old Pablo Herrera Chun.
Blake Pittman, 29, was arrested without incident Wednesday morning in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, by members of the MCHTF, the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Bensalem Police Department. He is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and one count of second-degree certain persons not to possess a weapon. Pittman is being held in Bucks County pending an extradition hearing.
On Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Trenton police received a Shot Spotter activation in the area of 43 N. Stockton Street. Responding officers located the victim, later identified as Chun, suffering from two gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call HTF Detective Karl Johnston 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.
According to a NJ Department of Corrections Inmate Search, Blake Pittman has been in and out of jail. The latest he was released on October 2, 2020. Offences listed are Aggravated Manslaughter two times and robbery. See graphic above from the NJ Department of Corrections website.
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Around 8:50 a.m. a two vehicle accident with airbag deployment occurred at the intersection of Old York Road and Windsor Perrineville Road. The East Windsor Police Department and East Windsor First Aid Squad were dispatched to the scene. Apparently there were no reported injuries in the two vehicle crash.
East Windsor Police is investigating the crash. No further information is available at this time.
EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The East Windsor Township Police Department initiated the following police reports through Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
The officer was detailed to the Intent Group located at 658 Etra Road for a report of a suspicious vehicle pulling in and out of the parking lot. During the investigation, suspected methamphetamine was located in the vehi cle. The driver was arrested and later released pending court action.
Defendant:
Charges:
Nicholas Gresko
Hamilton, NJ 26 Years of Age
Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance · Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
The officer was detailed to the area for a report of a possible intoxicated driver who was involved in a motor vehicle accident. While en-route further information was provided that the vehicle had left the scene and was now parked on Probasco Road. Upon speaking with the driver, he exhibited signs of impairment and was placed under arrest after failing field sobriety tests. The driver was later released pending court action.
Defendant:
Charges:
Leonzo R. Roblesmenchu
East Windsor , NJ 25 Years of Age
DUI Reckless Driving Careless Driving Failure to Maintain Lane Leaving the Scene of an Accident Failure to Report an Accident Uninsured Motor Vehicle
Arresting Officer: Patrol Officer Nicholas Hoffmann #108
3) DUI Location: Probasco Road Time/Date: 2:27 AM/ 7-24-2021
The officer was detailed to the area for a report of a possible intoxicated driver who was involved in a motor vehicle accident related to the previous DUI. While en-route further information was provided that the vehicle had left the scene and was now parked on Probasco Road. Upon speaking with the driver, he exhibited signs of impairment and was placed under arrest after failing field sobriety tests . The driver was later released pending court action.
Defendant: Sergio H. Duenas East Windsor, NJ 48 Years of Age
Charges: DUI Reckless Driving Careless Driving Failure to Maintain Lane Unlicensed Drive Uninsured Motor Vehicle
Arresting Officer: Patrol Officer Nicholas Hoffman #108
The officer conducted a motor vehicle stop after observing the vehicle fail to maintain its lane. The driver exhibited signs of impairment and was placed under arrest after failing field sobriety tests . The individual was later released pending court action.
Defendant: Nirav N. Patel Piscataway, NJ 38 Years of Age
Charges: DUI Reckless Driving Careless Driving Failure to Maintain Lane Failure to Keep Right
Arresting Officer: Patrol Officer Thomas Nicola #119
While conducting building checks behind East Windsor Village, the officer observed a parked vehicle with its headlights on, driver side door open and the drivei .J eeping in the driver seat. Upon speaking with the driver , he exhibited signs of impairment and was placed under arrest after failing field sobriety tests. The driver was later released pending court action.
Defendant:
Charges:
Raymundo Quiroz-Ramirez
Hightstown, NJ 28 Years of Age
DUI Reckless Driving Careless Driving Open Container in Motor Vehicle Consuming Alcohol in Motor Vehicle
Arresting Officer: Christopher McDermott #117
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.
CAPE MAY, N.J. – On Wednesday July 28, 2021, The Coast Guard medevaced a diver 46 miles east of Cape May on Wednesday.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay command center received a report via VHF channel 16 that a 50-year-old woman was unresponsive after returning from a dive off the dive vessel Gypsie Blood. The diver dove to a depth of 150- feet before resurfacing unconscious.
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay dispatched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Station Atlantic City to the scene.
The aircrew medically evacuated the woman and transported her to the closest decompression chamber available at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
“Without the proper communication that we had, we would not have been able to safely conduct the mission especially considering the distance offshore that the vessel was,” said Lt. Anthony Barletta, the command duty officer in the command center. “A marine band radio is the best way to get first responders on scene when an emergency arises.”
MidJersey.News 
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