May 19, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police Department, Detective Lieutenant Bethesda Stokes stated that Today, May 19, 2022 the Angel of Hope statue was recovered from a scrap yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Trenton’s “Angel of Hope” monument was reported stolen from St. Michaels at the corner of North Warren & Perry Steets sometime over the weekend of May 6, 2022. A young homeless boy who picks up bibles from the church bookstore was the first to notice the statue was missing around 11:00 a.m. according to NJ 101.5

Police said from video surveillance footage obtained by the NJSP, Property Crimes Unit Detective Sergeant Kurfuss, Detectives Feliciano, Furman, Wood, Villanueva and Technical Services Unit Detective Michael Nazario of the Trenton Police Department were able to track down the vehicle used and individuals responsible for the theft. Two suspects have been identified and Charged with the offense. The investigation is ongoing.

Thanks to the collaborative effort of the NJSP, Mercer County Prosecutors Office and Mercer County Sheriffs Department the Angel of Hope will be returned to its rightful home overlooking the city.

The Angel of Hope was erected by Mayor Donal J. Connolly, Citizens Committee 1947-1959 and the City of Trenton. The monument was dedicated to the people of Trenton on October 27, 1986.

Statue Stolen in Front of St. Michael’s in Trenton

Trenton Police Department Photo:

Above photos by: Brian McCarthy

Update: According to Detective Lieutenant Bethesda Stokes of the Trenton Police Department at 12:54 p.m. in front of 250 Tioga Street two Hispanic males were shot. The suspect approached the victim and fired one shot into the window at the first victim sitting in the driver’s side of the car. The victim was shot at least once in the chest. The second victim was lying in the street and shot in the thigh and calf. Both victims transported to Helene Fuld Hospital.

———–

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Just before 1:00 p.m. shots rang out in 200 Block of Tioga Street. Trenton Police, Trenton Fire Department, Trenton EMS and Captial Health Paramedics responded to the scene. There were two victims found and an additional ambulance and paramedic unit were detailed to the scene. TEMS and Captial Health Paramedics transported two victims to Capital Health Regional Medical Center Trauma Unit and a “trauma alert” was called for both shooting victims. Trenton Police is on scene investigating the shooting. Story will be updated with further details from TPD when official information becomes available.

Photos and video by: Brian McCarthy