WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville-Allentown High School Cooperative Ice Hockey Team defeated Princeton 2-1 this afternoon at the Mercer County Skating Center. Princeton outshot Robbinsville with 53 to 22 shots on goal but, Robbinsville’s Daltan Tilghman (AHS) was able to put 2 in the back of the net. Robbinsville’s goalie Zander Wiley like a brick wall stopped 52 of 53 shots on goal. It was the first time Robbinsville has defeated Princeton since 2016.
POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ (OCEAN)–Around 12:30 p.m., Point Pleasant Beach received a call for a brush fire on Gull Island across from Point Lobster. The first arriving Chief confirmed the fire and requested mutual aid from Point Pleasant Brough along with Manasquan for their fireboat. The New Jersey State Police Marine unit along with the United States Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet also responded.
Due to dry conditions and high winds today, the fire quickly spread along the bank of the island mostly moving towards the west. Complicating the firefight, most fireboats in the area have been winterized. Manasquan did respond with their fireboat but had pump issues and a replacement pump was brought to the scene. Firefighters were shuttled to the island by the USCG and Tow Boat US. When firefighters made the island, they were able to get water on the fire and contain it. The New Jersey Forrest Fire Service responded, and a helicopter was requested for an air drop but was canceled since firefighters knocked down the fire. The Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office responded, and the cause is under investigation.
BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck and New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan today announced the arrest of two juveniles from Ocean County for the alleged arson on the Garden State Parkway that shut down the northbound and southbound lanes for approximately 10 hours.
On Wednesday, January 19, at approximately 5:00 p.m., State Police troopers responded to the report of a fire in the area of milepost 91 in Brick Township. During the investigation, detectives determined that the fire was started within a drainage culvert that runs underneath the Garden State Parkway from the 91 north entrance ramp to the 91 south exit ramp.
Through various investigative means, the two juveniles were identified as the suspects that allegedly started the fire. As a result of the investigation, detectives also discovered that the juveniles recently burglarized a building owned by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority adjacent the Garden State Parkway 91 north commuter lot.
On January 25, the two juveniles were charged with arson, burglary, criminal mischief, interference with transportation, and defiant trespassing. They were released pending a future court date.
The case is being prosecuted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
While no information is released regarding most juvenile cases, the New Jersey State Police is releasing the above information today in response to public interest regarding the alleged offense. No additional information on the investigation or juvenile complaints will be released at this time, in accordance with the strict confidentiality requirements of juvenile matters and juvenile records. Likewise, Family Court proceedings involving juveniles are closed to the public, and the identities of juveniles involved are kept confidential.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported today that an investigation into online child exploitation has resulted in the arrest of a Lawrence Township man.
Kelly Skeel, 45, of Lawrence, NJ, is charged with second-degree possession of child pornography. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Skeel pending trial.
Detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit recently received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual in Mercer County was uploading child pornography. An investigation was initiated and Skeel was identified as a subject. On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, detectives with ICAC executed a search warrant at Skeel’s residence in Lawrence. He was detained without incident and several electronics were seized. Forensic previews conducted on multiple DVDs at the home along with further investigation revealed thousands of images and videos of child pornography and erotica.
Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Prosecutor Onofri urged anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to please contact his Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at 609-989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at 888-648-6007.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Kelly Skeel, 45, of Lawrence, NJ Kelly Skeel, 45, of Lawrence, NJ, is charged with second-degree possession of child pornography. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Skeel pending trial.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police Director (TPD) Steve E. Wilson today announced a successful drug enforcement operation at the Budget Inn Hotel resulting in 12 arrests as well as the seizure of more than 100 narcotic doses and $1,700 in suspected drug proceeds.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2022, the Daytime Task Force along with Trenton SWAT executed search warrants at the Budget Inn Hotel located at 590 New York Avenue in Trenton. Several targets fled into different rooms and allegedly destroyed evidence by flushing narcotics in the bathrooms. Consent searches were also conducted in two rooms based upon illegal drug activity observed during pre-raid surveillance.
Once secured, a systematic search of target locations was conducted which resulted in more than 100 narcotic doses and $1,715 in U.S. Currency being seized.
The investigation was carried out following numerous complaints of rampant drug use that were brought to the attention the TPD, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
The charges include heroin and crack distribution, tampering with evidence and possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a School. The following people were arrested in this operation:
Kenneth Rivera, 28, of Trenton
Robert Rivera, 30, of Trenton
Gikoli Walitho, 32, of Ewing
Justin Rey, 28, of Trenton
Shanelle Harris, 41, of Trenton
Elizabeth Atland, 38, of Trenton
Toni Johnson, 28, of Trenton
Frederick Ganie, 51, of Trenton
Paul Allen, 45, of Trenton
Rayshawn Burton, 41, of Trenton
Ronnie Glanton, 37, of Trenton
Kevin Reeves, 39, of Trenton
In a separate operation, Xaview Colon, 20 and Bashawn Newton, 28, of Trenton and Jennifer Halcomb, 39, of Maple Shade, N.J., were arrested on Jan. 19, 2022 and charged with weapon and drug offenses after TPD Street Crimes Unit detectives observed a suspected narcotics transaction. Further investigation revealed Colon to be in possession of a handgun with a high-capacity magazine and a large quantity of heroin. During the investigation, Bashawn Newton and Jennifer Halcomb were also found to be in possession of significant quantities of heroin.
These charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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