HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On September 15, 2021, at approximately 08:00 AM, Hamilton Police were detailed to 2206 Kuser Road (Veterans Park -South Entrance) on a Criminal Sexual Contact incident. Responding officers were advised by a female that she was running in the park and a black male suspect approached her from behind near the skate park and groped her thigh and buttocks area.
Hamilton Police Detective Thomas Clugsten developed a suspect identified as 22 year old Chesterfield NJ resident (formerly of Long Island NY), Malcolm J. Lingard. Information developed from this investigation led to the arrest of Mr. Lingard for Criminal Sexual Contact regarding this incident.
Anyone with information regarding this incident, or is aware of any similar incidents involving Malcolm J. Lingard, is asked to contact Hamilton Police Detective Thomas Clugsten at (609) 581-4027 or via email at tclugsten@hamiltonpd.org . The public can also contact the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.
Every defendant is presumed innocent until being found guilty in a court of law.
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The newest member of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office brings years of rigorous training, a relentlessly affable attitude, and an unwavering commitment to service to his role; today is his first day on the job, having been assigned to the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center.
He’s also 4 years old, and covered in fur.
“Surf” the facility dog, a yellow Labrador retriever, will meet with young victims of abuse from across the county at the Child Advocacy Center two days per week, as the centerpiece of a newly implemented therapy initiative shown to lessen victim anxiety and improve outcomes of investigations into such crimes.
“Our Child Advocacy Center is meant by design to offer a warm, welcoming environment for our very most vulnerable crime victims as they recuperate, and Surf’s arrival here brings that to another level entirely,” Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him join us.”
Surf’s arrival was more than two years in the making, made possible in great part by someone who has been working at the Child Advocacy Center long before that. Melissa Boege, Program Director of the Family Growth Program of Monmouth & Ocean Counties for Catholic Charities, has provided therapy to children, teens, and adults there since 2014 – and in 2019, the California-based nonprofit group Canine Companions placed Surf with her permanently.
“The children I work with have expressed ongoing enthusiasm about working with a facility dog, and have talked extensively about how the dog will help them feel better, talk about difficult things, and feel comfortable in therapy,” Boege said. “It’s incredible to witness – children who were previously shy, anxious, disengaged, and defiant become interested, engaged, enthusiastic, open, and connected.”
Surf and Boege started working together with clients at the Family Growth Program’s Red Bank location just a matter of months after his arrival in New Jersey, and that same autumn they started visiting public and private schools across Monmouth County to present “Safety Steps,” a series of abuse-prevention workshops.
So his newest assignment won’t be his first rodeo.
“Surf has the ideal temperament to perform this unique brand of work – he’s naturally calm, nurturing, and reassuring, while also responding enthusiastically to children and adults who prompt him to show a more playful side,” Child Advocacy Center Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Coordinator Debbie Riveros said. “He fits in perfectly with our Team.”
Facility dogs fall under a definition that sets them apart from service dogs or therapy dogs, according to Canine Companions – to be designated as such, the dogs are expertly trained from birth, trustworthy in professional environments, and able to perform more than 40 commands. To be designated as a “facilitator,” as Boege is, one must be solely responsible for handling and caring for a facility dog, and also committed to long-term employment at a specific location for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
There are a limited number of facility dogs already serving at some of the more than 900 child advocacy centers nationwide, which serve more than 338,000 children annually, according to the Washington, D.C.-based National Children’s Alliance, the primary professional organization dedicated to supporting the model. But that number is growing, with studies showing that use of facility dogs during therapy sessions drastically reduces anxiety among child abuse victims, drastically increasing the likelihood of disclosure.
Surf’s first day of work may be today, but truthfully, he’s already a bit of a celebrity – the Child Advocacy Center has calendars, pamphlets, and even stress balls all made in his likeness. To follow his work and what he’s up to, connect with him on Facebook at Facility Dog Surf, or on Instagram at @facilitydog_surf.
Left tp Right: Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives John G. McCabe Jr., Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey, Catholic Charities Family Growth Program of Monmouth & Ocean Director Melissa Boege, Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Coordinator Debbie Riveros, and Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Staff Steven Padula meet “Surf” the facility dog at the Child Advocacy Center.
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)—Around 7:40 a.m. a multiple vehicle accident occurred on I-295 (near the Young’s Road-Lawrence Station Road Overpass) around the 66.6 North Bound mile marker. There were reports of multiple vehicles involved and initial reports said up to 11 vehicles were involved. Luckily there were no reported serious injuries that needed immediate transportation to the hospital. Traffic was backed up for miles until the vehicles were cleared from the scene.
No further information is available at this time.
Crash on I-295 northbound South of Exit 67 – US 1 (Lawrence Twp) right shoulder closed delays due to volume https://t.co/DCMp2sjSc7
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Robbinsville’s long awaited WaWa will have a grand opening sometime in Mid-October. (Once we receive the update we will let you know)
The event will be much more than a grand opening — It’s a celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Ari Shiner, Wawa’s First Supported Employment Associate from 1981!
With the help of Eden Autism Services and other supported employment agencies, Wawa has provided hundreds of employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities for the past 40 years. It all started with Ari, the Eden participant who is still working at Wawa today.
Eden Autism, would also like to take this opportunity to highlight our wonderful partnership with Robbinsville. From Eden’s residences in town to the new Project Freedom development, Robbinsville has been a champion for individuals with disabilities, and we’d like to celebrate Robbinsville’s commitment to helping improve the lives of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Robbinsville WaWa on September 15, 2021
Robbinsville WaWa as seen July 30, 2021
Robbinsville WaWa is located at Meadowbrook Road and Route 130 the former site of National Pools and Spas that has relocated down the road. January 27, 2020 photo.
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 15, 2021, Roberto Sandoval-Guerrero, 38, of Toms River, pled guilty to Vehicular Homicide in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5b(1), before the Honorable Rochelle Gizinski, J.S.C., relative to the death of Daniel Cintron on September 5, 2020. At the time of his sentencing on November 19, 2021, the State will recommend a term of seven years New Jersey State Prison, subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2. Sandoval-Guerrero also pled guilty to Driving While Intoxicated in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.
On September 5, 2020, the New Jersey State Police received a report of a pedestrian having been struck by a motor vehicle in the area of Garden State Parkway South at or near mile-marker post 86 in Toms River, with said vehicle then fleeing the scene. The investigation determined that Daniel Cintron had previously been involved in a minor motor vehicle accident with another driver, Frank Puglisi. The men exited their vehicles and were in the process of exchanging insurance information on the shoulder of the Parkway when they were struck by a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer operated by Sandoval-Guerrero. Mr. Puglisi was struck on his left arm, while Mr. Cintron was thrown into the lanes of travel where he was run over by passing traffic. Mr. Cintron was pronounced deceased at the scene. Further investigation revealed that Sandoval-Guerrero continued to operate the vehicle southbound on the Garden State Parkway; he ultimately abandoned the vehicle on the shoulder and fled on foot. Sandoval-Guerrero was eventually located in the area of Route 9 and Church Road and taken into custody. Sandoval-Guerrero has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his apprehension.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco and Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Leimbach who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, New Jersey State Police, Toms River Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation, ultimately resulting in Sandoval-Guerrero’s guilty plea, and soon his state prison sentence.
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