BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–On Monday afternoon, at 3:30 p.m., Emergency Responders answered a call of a house fire at 31 Bay Way in the Bay Harbor section of Brick. Upon arrival a heavy smoke and fire condition was observed. Strong winds helped to spread the fire quickly. The resident of 31 Bay Way, who was home at the time, was uninjured, but the home was completely destroyed.
The wind driven fire caused extensive damage to the upper portion of the house next door at 29 Bay Way. In addition spot fires on at least one area property were extinguished. The only injury was that of one of the fire fighters who suffered a minor burn that was treated by EMS on the scene.
The fire quickly reached a third alarm bringing Brick Township fire companies, Pioneer Hose, Breton Woods, Laurelton, and Herbertsville. In addition, the Point Pleasant Boro, Point Pleasant Beach, Silverton and East Dover fire companies also responded, along with the Police and the Brick Police EMS. Jackson and Lakewood covered the township’s fire houses while Brick Township’s fire and mutual aid companies worked to extinguish the fire.
The fire is being investigated by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Brick Police Detective Bureau and the Brick Fire Safety Bureau.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Brick Fire Safety Bureau Chief Kevin Batzel at 732-458-4100. No further information is being released at this time.
On September 27, 2021 at 4:57 pm Hamilton Police responded to a serious motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Whitehead Rd and Second Ave. A 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, driven by Mohamed Kallay, 47yoa from Hamilton, was traveling southbound on Whitehead Rd, when a 2001 Freightliner Truck, driven by Richard Crutchley, 66 yoa from Hamilton, was traveling northbound on Whitehead Rd when he crossed over into the southbound lane and struck the Dodge head-on. After the collision, the Freightliner Truck rolled onto its side and came to a stop on the corner of Whitehead Rd and Second Ave. Mr. Kallay was extricated from his vehicle by the Hamilton Fire Division. He was then transported by ambulance to Capital Health Regional for treatment for his injuries.
The crash is being investigated by Officer Bryan Wood, and Officer Brian DiBiasi. Any witnesses are asked to contact the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit at (609)581-4000.
Information may also be left anonymously on the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at 609-581-4008.
On September 12, thousands of walkers, runners and volunteers participated in NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life Walk and USATF Certified Race at the organization’s headquarters in New Providence, NJ. The event, which was presented by Hackensack Meridian Health and Pfizer and supported by dozens of other generous sponsors, honored those who gave the gift of organ and tissue, paid tribute to those who have received a transplant, offered hope to those currently waiting for a transplant and remembered the lives lost while waiting for the gift of life.
Family members and friends of the late Cynthia (Cindy) Von Schmidt, 55, of New Egypt, NJ, gathered together to form the “Cindy’s Amazing Grace” 5K team to honor her memory and show their support for NJ Sharing Network’s life-saving mission. Cindy, who passed away in 2016, was an organ and tissue donor who saved four lives and enhanced the lives of many others. Members of “Cindy’s Amazing Grace” offered the following message during the 5K Celebration of Life:
Cindy passed away in February 2016 of a brain aneurysm. She was 55 years young, married for 35 years and a mother of two. Besides her family she had three passions. Cindy was an avid skier, a beach lover and atop it all, a baker – a true connoisseur.
Cindy would spend months baking Christmas cookies for family and friends. Along with her daughter’s help, they would decorate and ship them all over the world! From the mountains of California to our military bases in around the globe – her cookies have been there.
Cindy was the most generous woman, always offering her hand to those who needed it. From organizing donations and fundraisers for those who needed help to rescuing dogs, Cindy made many efforts to help those she could. The day she left us, she gave the ultimate gift of four life-saving donations and multiple tissue donations to help others!
About NJ Sharing Network
Dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation, NJ Sharing Network is the non-profit organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for the nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents waiting for a life-saving transplant. With headquarters in New Providence, NJ, the organization, selected by NJBIZ as one of the state’s “Best Places to Work” for the fourth consecutive year, is also part of the national recovery system, serving the 110,000 people on the national waiting list. To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Township Fire Department, EMS and Robbinsville Police responded to Route 33 in front of the Township building for a multi vehicle accident. Upon arrival there were several vehicles involved in a rear end type collision. There were no serious injuries reported in the crash. The Robbinsville Township Police Department is investigating the crash.
Photos sent in by a reader and fan of MidJersey.news
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A Monmouth County grand jury has returned a 20-count indictment against a former Middlesex County Sheriff’s Officer charged with videotaping violent sexual assaults of multiple unconscious women over the span of three years, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Monday.
Joshua Padilla, 36, was indicted Friday and is now charged with eight counts of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, seven counts of third-degree Invasion of Privacy, four counts of third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, and one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
In February 2019, members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Bureau arrested Padilla, a resident of Berkeley Place in Eatontown, in relation to an investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
As a result of the investigation, Padilla was found to be in possession of numerous videos of himself performing sexual acts upon women who were clearly unconscious and unresponsive. Additionally, the defendant was found to be in possession of child sexual abuse materials. Many of these crimes took place at the defendant’s home in Eatontown, with others occurring in Middlesex County.
The sexual assault charges outlined today relate to three different adult victims and crimes taking place from 2016 into 2018, but investigators continue to seek additional information about Padilla’s activities. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Brian Hammarstrom of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-431-7160, Ext. 6413. “These were truly unspeakable crimes against utterly helpless victims,” Acting Prosecutor Linskey said. “We are encouraged by the progress made so far in shepherding this case through the criminal justice system, but troubled by the prospects
of other victims being out there who have yet to come forward – and who may not even have known they were victimized. We urge anyone with any information about the activities of this defendant to step forward and tell us what they know.”
Anyone who wishes to make an anonymous report about this case can call the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers’ confidential tip line at 1-800-671-4400. Tipsters can also text “MONMOUTH” and their tip to 274637, or they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.
The investigation into Padilla has thus far resulted in criminal charges in three different jurisdictions; in July 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced that it was indicting him for producing, distributing, and being in possession of child sexual abuse materials after he allegedly recorded himself engaging in unlawful sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl in Pennsylvania and later uploaded the video online. In March 2021, Padilla pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual contact with a minor in relation to the aforementioned investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, admitting to attempting to meet with an undercover agent posing as a 14-year-old girl and digitally sharing with her sexually graphic images of himself.
If convicted on the charges filed in Monmouth County Superior Court, Padilla would face up to 20 years in state prison on each count of Aggravated Sexual Assault, up to five years on each count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, up to five years for each count of Invasion of Privacy, and up to 10 years for Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Additionally, he would be subject to Parole Supervision for Life and would be required to register under Megan’s Law.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendants have all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
The defendant remains incarcerated in federal prison in Pennsylvania, and is no longer employed by the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki.
Joshua Padilla, 36
Joshua Padilla, 36, was indicted Friday and is now charged with eight counts of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, seven counts of third-degree Invasion of Privacy, four counts of third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, and one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
September 27, 2021 — Updated with information from Palisades Interstate Parkway Police
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On September 27, 2021, Middlesex County resident, Alan Seijas (30 years old), was arrested by Palisades Interstate Parkway Police, on a Hamilton Police Warrant regarding the Nottingham Tavern burglary.
Additional charges were filed for a September 13, 2021 burglary that occurred at the Princeton BMW located at 3630 Quakerbridge Road, also in Hamilton.
According to the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police, the investigation discovered that the male party we arrested in the article was driving a stolen Hertz rental Chevrolet Trailblazer taken from Ciocca Chevrolet in Lawrence and also stole items from vehicles at Coleman Cadillac in Lawrence, license plates off of a Chevrolet Equinox in Clark, New Jersey and committed a burglary of the IRL Game Shop in Hightstown, New Jersey.
Alan Seijas, 30, Middlesex County
Middlesex County resident, Alan Seijas (30 years old), was arrested by Palisades Interstate Parkway Police, on a Hamilton Police Warrant regarding the Nottingham Tavern burglary.
On August 31,2021, Hamilton Police were detailed to The Nottingham Tavern at 9 Mercer Street on a burglary to the business. Responding officers were advised by the owner of the business that some unknown person broke into the business at approximately 12:30 AM August 30,2021. Entry was gained through a forced open rear door to the business. Once inside the suspect removed several bottles of alcohol and two I-Pads. The suspect left the scene in what appears to be a light color Cadillac SUV with no visible front license plate. The approximate value of the theft is $2,000 dollars.
The above pictured suspect is described as a white male, in his late 20’s and has distinct tattoos on his right and left forearms. The male was wearing gloves and a headband.
A second burglary occurred at the Princeton BMW located at 3630 Quakerbridge Road on September 13, 2021. Detective Nicolas Schulte was assigned the BMW investigation, and determined that the same suspect from the Nottingham Tavern burglary was also involved in that incident. Complaints were also generated regarding the Princeton BMW incident.
Hamilton Police Detectives are asking anyone with additional information concerning the Nottingham Tavern incident, to contact Detective Lawrence MacArthur of the Hamilton Police Division Criminal Investigations Section at (609) 689-5827 or via email at lmacarthur@hamiltonpd.org. Detective Nicholas Schulte can be contacted regarding the Princeton BMW burglary at (609) 689-5825 or via email at nschulte@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 beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HAMILTON TOWNHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Hamilton Police Division are investigating a shooting homicide in Hamilton, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
At approximately 8:20 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, 2021, Hamilton patrol officers located a deceased male in a parked vehicle on Rosalie Avenue, adjacent to Victor Avenue. The victim, identified as Dashawn Womack, 39, of Hamilton, suffered two gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Shawn Bruton at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.
SPRING LAKE, NJ (MONMOUTH)–According to NJ State Police Sgt. Alejandro Goez, troopers responded to the report of an overturned sailboat approximately 200 yards off the beach in Spring Lake at 2:25 p.m. There were multiple occupants on the vessel and troopers assisted with rescuing four of the occupants. There were no reported injuries. The occupants righted the vessel at about 3pm.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The deceased victim fromSaturday night’s shooting on Bellevue Avenue has been identified as 15-year-old Shemiah Davis. A 19-year old female was shot multiple times and remains hospitalized in critical condition. The third shooting victim is a 17-year-old male who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. No arrests have been made and the shooting remains under investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department.
Statement From Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora and Acting Police Director Steve Wilson on Saturday’s Bellevue Avenue Shootings
Acting Police Director Steve Wilson and I are outraged following the senseless shooting of four Trentonians, ages 20, 15, 17, and 19, on Bellevue Avenue near North 25 Housing on Saturday evening. Tragically, the 15-year-old has passed away. We stand with these families in their hour of unspeakable pain.
The scourge of gun violence in cities across America is profoundly impacting our communities. It is terrifying and unsettling to feel the weight of this issue so close to our home and our hearts. Since January 2021, Trenton PD has taken more than 150 guns off our streets, and a new task force established by Acting Director Steve Wilson is poised to do more. We have reduced gun violence in our city by 20% compared to the same period last year. Together, we can bring the offenders of this shocking crime before the law’s full force and begin the process of healing for our entire city.
The Trenton PD, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, and other law enforcement are working at the Real-Time Crime Center gathering information to take these criminals off our streets. In addition, I ask residents of that neighborhood, including North 25 Housing and the public, to come forward with any information that might help us identify the perpetrators of these shootings and bring them to justice. You can provide information in confidence to the Homicide Task Force of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office at (609) 989-6406.
Names of 2021* homicide victims:
2/18/2021 Jabree Saunders, 26, from shooting on May 14, 2018
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–South Brunswick Police arrested a 28 year old Philadelphia man after he crashed his car with a loaded handgun on Route 1 Sunday morning September 26, at 2:39 a.m., Officer Kyle Klemas responded to a single car crash on Route 1 south near Sandhill Road. Officer Klemas found the 2016 BMW had collided into a utility pole and the driver, Alman Isangulov age 28 of Philadelphia and a passenger were still sitting in the vehicle. Officer Klemas observed Islangulov to have slurred speech and watery bloodshot eyes. Islangulov and his passenger both denied being injured and admitted to drinking alcohol in Brooklyn before attempting to drive home. As Officer Klemas spoke with the two men, Officer Brooke Goetz arrived and approached the passenger side of the vehicle. Officer Goetz observed a loaded Glock 31 on the passenger side floor of the car. Further investigation recovered a Glock airsoft gun from the rear passenger compartment of the gun. Both guns were connected to Islangulov
Islangulov was arrested and transported to South Brunswick Police headquarters. He was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and driving while intoxicated. He was lodged at the Middlesex County Correction Center pending his first court appearance.
Chief Raymond Hayducka said, “To be drunk driving with a loaded handgun is just reckless. This driver was impaired to the point he crashed and had in his possession a loaded handgun. This could have ended in tragedy in so many ways, from the crash, to the weapon, to the officers’ interaction. I want to credit Officers Klemas and Goetz for slowing things down and taking this suspect into custody without any injury.”
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