Day: March 29, 2022

Bordentown Man Charged in August 2021 Fatal Crash Route 129 and Lalor Street

March 29, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today that an investigation into a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred in Trenton in August 2021 has resulted in criminal charges being filed against a Bordentown man.

Lemark Norwood, 44, is charged with second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and third-degree endangering an injured victim. He was processed and released pending future court proceedings.

On Sunday, August 29, 2021, at approximately 5:15 a.m., Trenton police responded to the intersection of Route 129 and Lalor Street for a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision. Responding officers found Celso Rivera, 35, in the roadway and rendered aid, but Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene.

Trenton Police Detective Nicholas Morgante and Detective Ryan Minnick of the prosecutor’s Serious Collision Response Team worked for months reviewing automated license plate reader data, combing through surveillance camera footage from the area, and identifying and speaking to witnesses who passed through the intersection in the same approximate time frame of the crash. The investigation revealed that, on the morning of the fatal collision, Norwood was operating a blue 2017 Mercedes Benz E400 in the area. When detectives made contact with Norwood at his residence in Bordentown, the Mercedes Benz was parked in the driveway. The vehicle had visible damage to the front hood, including a dent on the driver’s side with a paint chip missing.

Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.



Fully Involved on Arrival in Jackson Township

March 29, 2022

JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–Jackson Township Police say that on Tuesday March 29, 2022 at 12:21 a.m., multiple officers responded to the area of North New Prospect and Larsen Roads after a passerby reported that a building under construction at a work site on the corner was on fire. There is currently a new apartment complex named The Paragon being built at the location.
Responding officers reported that a building at the corner of the property was on fire, with visible flames coming from all three floors of the building. Jackson Stations 54, 55, 56 and 57, along with Southward and Freewood Acres Fire Departments from Howell responded and extinguished the fire.
The Ocean County Fire Marshal responded to the scene and the investigation is currently ongoing and is being conducted by Jackson Police Detective Anthony Riso and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone with any additional information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Riso at 732-928-1111.


Photos and video by: Jersey Shore Fire Response



Mercer County Grand Jury Returns Indictmentin the 2020 Murder of Dontae Barnes

March 29, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Mercer County grand jury recently returned a four-count indictment charging Dwayne Capers with the June 2020 shooting death of 37-year-old Dontae Barnes in Trenton, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.

Capers, 28, of Trenton, is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun and second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm. He is being held in the Mercer County Correction Center pending trial.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department. At approximately 5:20 p.m. on June 2, 2020, police responded to a Shot Spotter activation in the area of Oakland Street and Hoffman Avenue. Upon arrival, police located Barnes on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

An initial canvas of the scene produced several shell casings and some clothing articles. Area video surveillance was reviewed and footage was obtained capturing the entire incident. An investigative detention order was obtained requiring Capers to provide a DNA sample. Results of a DNA analysis indicated Capers’ DNA profile was found on a tank top shirt recovered after Barnes’ shooting. Capers was arrested on December 23, 2021.

Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Cook presented the case to the grand jury.

Despite having been indicted, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.