Day: July 14, 2022

Middlesex County, South Brunswick

Suspect Charged In Zoom Attack Of Virtual Memorial Service Of 17-Year-Old High School Student

July 14, 2022

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka announced today a suspect has been identified and charged in a Zoom attack on a virtual memorial service for a South Brunswick High School student in February of 2021. The memorial service was being held for 17 year old Emily Murillo who tragically died in January of 2021. Due to Covid, the memorial service was broadcasted virtually. During the service, an unknown person entered the Zoom and threatened to blow up the funeral home and make the casket turn to ashes. “It was unspeakable to us that while family and friends were mourning the loss of this young girl, someone would look to threaten them,” said Chief Hayducka. Investigators never gave up in their search for the suspect. The case required numerous court orders, interaction with a variety of social media platforms, and partnering with state and federal law enforcement. “I told all the officers involved that we will never stop until we track down every lead. It took almost 18 months, but we got him,” said Chief Hayducka.

The suspect is a juvenile from North Jersey. He faces a 2nd degree charge of terroristic threats, a 3rd degree charge of false public alarm, and a 4th degree charge of cyber harassment. The charges were elevated because the threat was made during the state of emergency from the Covid pandemic.

South Brunswick Police thanked the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office, the New Jersey State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and law enforcement agencies in Connecticut and North Jersey for their assistance in the investigation.

The memorial service was being held for 17 year old Emily Murillo who tragically died in January of 2021.

A Gofundme page says:

On January 29th, our dear friends lost their beautiful 17-year-old daughter, Emily Murillo, in a tragic car accident. For those fortunate enough to have really known Emmy, you know how deeply we will miss her bright smile and sweet, sweet soul.

From chasing frogs near the creek when she attended Brunswick Acres Elementary to her two dogs and two geckos, Emmy always had a way with, and a love for, animals. She was determined to find a job working with them after graduating from South Brunswick High School this June, but she’s been taken from us far too soon.

Emily was a lifelong resident of South Brunswick and will be missed most deeply by her sister Kaylee, step brothers Dominic and Vincent, mom and stepfather Erin and Joe Popolo and her father, Oscar Murillo. Kaylee graduated from SBHS in 2017. Erin worked for years for the South Brunswick Board of Ed, and Oscar currently works at Deans Elementary School. Joe is a retired firefighter and is now a fire subcode official. They are the kind of people who help make this community great.

We know her family’s pain too well, and we know how much the kindness of friends, family, the community and even strangers have helped us, so we’re creating this GoFundMe page in the hope that Emmy’s wonderful family can know this comfort.

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County

Tragedy At Spring Lake In Hamilton Township

July 14, 2022

HAMILTON, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Police Report that on July 14, 2022 at approximately 5:05 p.m., Officers were detailed to the area of Overlook Avenue on a report of a missing four year old boy who was last seen approximately forty minutes prior to Police being contacted.

Officers searched the area and at approximately 6:02 p.m. located the boy submerged in Spring Lake which is located in John A. Roebling Memorial Park.  The boy was pulled out of the water by members of the Hamilton Township Fire Department and rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Hamilton Police and the Mercer County Prosecutors Officer Homicide Task Force are investigating the incident.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Pat Quick of the Criminal Investigations Juvenile Section at (609) 581-4111 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.

File Photo

Mercer County, Trenton

Trenton Man Pleads Guilty In Shooting

July 14, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced that a Trenton man has pleaded guilty in a shooting he committed with a “community gun” that had been used in a prior shooting allegedly committed by members of the violent “Get Money Boys” or “GMB” gang in 2020.

Kevion Watkins, 19, of Mellon Street pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated assault for firing two bullets into a moving vehicle, striking one of the occupants in the hand following a physical altercation inside a Trenton deli last year. Watkins pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Anthony M. Massi in Mercer County on June 22, 2022. Sentencing for Watkins is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2022.

Under the plea agreement, the State will recommend a sentence of eight years in state prison, with 85 percent of the sentence – nearly seven years – to be served without parole eligibility.­­

 “A single gun can cause significant violence and destruction when it is circulated and shared by individuals involved in criminal activity,” said Acting Attorney General Platkin. “The arrest and conviction of this defendant not only brings accountability for this shooting, it also cuts off access to a community gun used for multiple violent crimes.”

Watkins was arrested on October 2, 2021 by Trenton Police who responded to a ShotSpotter alert of ­two rounds fired on Oakland Street shortly before 10 a.m. Watkins was taken into custody after he attempted to exit an Oakland Street apartment building where he fled after the shooting. Police recovered the weapon – a silver and black 9mm Ruger with a defaced serial number – under a floor mat in a common area of the building. 

The gun was later linked by ballistic testing to at least one prior shooting – a May 1, 2020 incident in which five GMB members allegedly opened fire on a group of individuals on Sanhican Drive in Trenton, wounding two men. The suspects charged in that shooting are among 20 alleged members and associates of GMB who were indicted last year in connection with multiple shootings in Trenton. Those shootings also include: the December 2019 murder of a 32-year-old man; the attempted murder of a Trenton police officer in February 2020; and a June 2020 shooting that wounded several bystanders, including a 12-year-old girl who was critically injured. Watkins, who turned 18 in August 2020, is not a defendant in that case

“By sharing intelligence with local and county law enforcement, we were able to connect the dots to secure critical evidence linking this lone shooting to a rash of gang violence terrorizing the city of Trenton,” said Director Pearl Minato of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners throughout New Jersey and beyond to remove illegal guns from our streets and hold accountable individuals who use them to carry out their violent agendas.”

In pleading guilty, Watkins admitted to firing the gun recovered by police in the direction of two individuals who were in a car, intending to cause them serious bodily harm. A surveillance camera inside the deli captured footage of the two victims involved in a physical altercation with a group of people inside the store, and then showed the pair exiting the store and getting into a blue 2017 Chevy Impala. Subsequent footage from the camera showed an individual, later identified as Watkins, running down the street while displaying a firearm and then firing two rounds into the victims’ car as it passed by him. One of the bullets struck the driver in the hand. The other occupant was not injured.

On December 8, 2021, a Grand Jury indicted Watkins on two counts of first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree aggravated assaulted, and numerous weapons charges including second-degree possession, receipt, or transfer of a community gun while engaging in criminal activity. A community gun is defined by statute as a firearm that is transferred among, between, or within any association of two or more persons who, while possessing that firearm, engage in criminal activity or use it unlawfully against the person or property of another.

Deputy Attorney General Karen M. Bornstein handled the case for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Cassandra Montalto and Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis. The case was investigated by the Trenton Police Department and the Mercer County Shooting Response Team, with Assistance from the New Jersey State Police Gangs & Organized Crime South Unit. 

____________________________________________________________________________

Defense Attorney Assistant Public Defender Melissa Karabulut.  

State of NJ

Amazon Prime Day 2022 was the Biggest Prime Day Event Ever

Amazon Prime members worldwide saved over $1.7 billion—more than any other Prime Day event

This year was the biggest Prime Day event for Amazon’s selling partners, most of whom are small and medium-sized businesses, whose sales growth in Amazon’s store outpaced Amazon’s retail business

Amazon Devices had a record-breaking Prime Day, selling more devices than any other Prime Day event

July 14, 2022

Prime members purchased more than 300 million items worldwide during Prime Day 2022, making this year’s event the biggest Prime Day event in Amazon’s history. And, more shopping means more savings—Prime members saved over $1.7 billion, more than any previous Prime Day event.

This year was the biggest Prime Day event for Amazon’s selling partners, most of whom are small and medium-sized businesses, whose sales growth in Amazon’s store outpaced Amazon’s retail business. Customers spent over $3 billion on more than 100 million small business items included in the Support Small Businesses to Win Big sweepstakes.

“Prime Day is a celebration of our Prime members, who look forward to this event every year, and we’re thrilled to have delivered incredible savings to them once again,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Amazon Worldwide Stores. “This special event is made possible because of the support of our employees, vendors, and sellers, and I want to give a big thank you to all of them for making this a Prime Day to remember.”

“We were ecstatic to partner with Amazon for this year’s Prime Day,” said Rob Jackson, Ujamaa Lighting, a high-quality energy-efficient lightbulb company based in Austin, Texas. “Being a part of Amazon has provided Ujamaa with exposure to so many new customers beyond those in our local community—which has been invaluable to this small father/son business. We applaud Amazon for their efforts in promoting small businesses and look forward to working with them more in the future.”

Worldwide and U.S. shopping trends around Amazon’s Prime Day event include:

Worldwide Prime Day Trends

Shopping

  • Prime members worldwide purchased more than 100,000 items per minute during this year’s Prime Day event.
  • Some of the best-selling categories worldwide this Prime Day were Amazon Devices, Consumer Electronics, and Home.
  • Prime members worldwide did the most shopping from 9 a.m.—10 a.m. PT on Tuesday, July 12 during the entire Prime Day event.
  • Some of the best-selling items worldwide this Prime Day were from premium beauty brands, including LANEIGE and NuFACE; Apple Watch Series 7; diapers and wipes from Pampers and The Honest Company; kitchen essentials from Rachael Ray, Le Creuset, and Hamilton Beach; VTech and LeapFrog toys; Vital Proteins Collagen Whey; Levi’s apparel and accessories; Chemical Guys car wash products; and pet products from NUTRO, TEMPTATIONS, and GREENIES.
  • Since Prime Day shopping began on July 12, select Fire TV, Echo, and Blink devices were some of the best-selling items on Amazon worldwide.

Small Businesses

  • Customers supported small businesses in the three-week lead-up to Prime Day, generating more than $3 billion in sales for small businesses included in the Support Small Businesses to Win Big sweepstakes.
  • Customers purchased more than 100 million small business items in the three weeks leading up to Prime Day.

U.S. Prime Day Trends

Shopping

  • Prime members in the U.S. purchased more than 60,000 items per minute during this year’s Prime Day event.
  • Prime members in the U.S. did the most shopping from 8 p.m.—9 p.m. PT on Wednesday, July 13 during the U.S. Prime Day event.
  • Some of the best-selling categories in the U.S. this Prime Day were Consumer Electronics, Household Essentials, and Home.
  • Some of the best-selling items in the U.S. this Prime Day were premium beauty brands, including LANEIGE and NuFACE; Apple Watch Series 7; Crest Teeth Whitening and Oral-B electric toothbrushes; kids’ and baby clothing from Simple Joys by Carter’s; Bentgo Kids lunch boxes; Levi’s apparel and accessories; Shark vacuums, air purifiers, and steam mops; Beats by Dre headphones and earbuds; Coleman, Marmot, and ExOfficio outdoor gear and apparel; and construction toys including LEGO sets, Magna-Tiles, and PLAYMOBIL.
  • Customers in the U.S. used Prime Day to celebrate summer, purchasing more than 1.2 million pairs of sunglasses and more than 1 million swimsuits.
  • Since Prime Day shopping began on July 12, select Fire TV, Echo, and Blink devices were some of the best-selling items on Amazon in the U.S.

Small Businesses

  • During the three weeks leading up to Prime Day, customers shopped from small businesses included in the Support Small Businesses to Win Big sweepstakes across all 50 U.S. states, with those in Delaware, New York, and Wyoming seeing the biggest sales per capita.

Amazon Live

  • Amazon Live Prime Day streams had more than 100 million views.
  • Thousands of creators streamed throughout Prime Day 2022.

Every Day Made Better With Prime

Prime offers the best of shopping, savings, and entertainment to more than 200 million paid members around the world. In the U.S., that includes unlimited access to award-winning movies and series with Prime Video, ad-free listening of 2 million songs, thousands of stations and playlists, and thousands of podcasts with Amazon Music, free games with Prime Gaming, more than 3,000 books and magazines with Prime Reading, unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos, and incredible savings with Prime Day. Prime was built on the foundation of unlimited fast, free shipping. Prime members enjoy ultrafast grocery delivery and pickup from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market in more than 5,000 cities and towns, free Same-Day Delivery on hundreds of thousands of items in over 90 major metropolitan areas, and free One-Day Delivery on more than 20 million items coast to coast. Prime members also receive fast, free delivery on prescriptions from Amazon Pharmacy and prescription savings at more than 60,000 participating pharmacies in the U.S. To join Prime or start a 30-day free trial, visit amazon.com/prime.

State of NJ

NJDEP And NJ State Police Investigate Vandalism To Monitoring Buoys

July 14, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is working with the State Police to investigate vandalism to harmful algal bloom monitoring buoys in several northern New Jersey lakes, specifically the detaching of buoys from anchor lines, Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced today.

“These buoys gather water quality data used to warn the public about harmful algal bloom conditions and improve our long-term understanding of these blooms,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “When someone cuts a buoy free, they are jeopardizing this work and placing boaters, personal watercraft users and other recreational users of the lakes at risk of injury.”

“State Police marine and land-based units have stepped up patrols in the areas of these buoys and we will criminally charge anyone caught tampering with them to the full extent of the law,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We are asking for the public’s help in putting a stop to this.”

Anyone with information about these incidents or sees suspicious behavior is urged to contact the State Police at 609-882-2000 or the DEP’s hotline at 877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337).

“I am disappointed to learn of the recent vandalism to the monitoring buoys,” said 25th Legislative District Sen. Anthony M. Bucco. “Preserving the quality of the water in these lakes is critically important for recreation and the businesses that surround our lake communities.  These buoys are an important part of that process.  I encourage anyone with information regarding the intentional destruction of these devices to report it to the local authorities or the State Police.”

 “As Mayors of the Lake Hopatcong communities, we have worked very hard over the last few years and partnered successfully with the NJDEP since the original harmful algal bloom in 2019, said Jefferson Township Mayor Eric F. Wilsusen. “Monitoring the lake and communicating with the public about water quality issues concerning a potential harmful algal bloom is vital to all to best utilize this valuable resource. Whoever intentionally vandalized the harmful algal bloom monitoring buoys does not have our lake’s best interest in mind and is doing a disservice to the community.”

Since June of this year, there have been two incidents at Lake Hopatcong, one at Greenwood Lake, and one, most recently, at Spruce Run Reservoir, around the Fourth of July weekend. There were also two incidents at Lake Hopatcong last summer. In each case, the buoys were recovered.

In addition, there have been three incidents of damage likely resulting from boats hitting the buoys unintentionally. The DEP reminds the boating public to be alert to the presence of the buoys. The perimeter of each buoy is marked by safety buoys.

The DEP maintains a network of high-tech real-time monitoring buoys as part of a comprehensive response to harmful algal blooms to protect public health and tourism. They gather a wide range of water quality data, including phycocyanin pigments that are indicative of harmful algal blooms, turbidity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, chlorophyll and pH.

A growing global problem due to climate change, harmful algal blooms are not caused by true algae but rather by cyanobacteria that in many ways resemble and behave like algae. These cyanobacteria naturally occur in fresh water and can proliferate to unhealthful levels in sunlight and hot weather, forming dense mats resembling pea soup or spilled paint.

Exposure to cyanobacteria cells can cause a range of mild to moderate health effects, including rashes, allergy-like reactions, flu-like symptoms, gastroenteritis, respiratory irritation and eye irritation. Incidental ingestion of water containing the toxins these bacteria can produce, known as cyanotoxins, can result in more serious health effects such as liver toxicity and neurological effects. Children and pets are more vulnerable because they ingest more water in relation to their size.

For more information on harmful algal blooms and the state’s interactive harmful algal bloom mapping tool, visit https://www.nj.gov/dep/hab/

Asbury Park, Monmouth County

16-Year-Old Apprehended, Charged With Murder, And Weapons Offences, In Connection With Fatal Shooting In Asbury Park, NJ

July 14, 2022

FREEHOLD – A teenager has been apprehended in connection with a fatal shooting that took place late last week in Asbury Park, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Thursday.

The defendant, a 16-year-old male whose identity is being withheld due to his age, has had juvenile complaints of murder and two related weapons offenses filed against him. He remains in custody pending his next court appearance.   

Shortly after 5:45 p.m. on Friday, July 8, members of the Asbury Park Police Department responded to a report of gunfire originating from the 100 block of Prospect Avenue, near the intersection with Atlantic Avenue.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers encountered 19-year-old Dariel Vernet of Asbury Park, who had sustained multiple gunshot injuries. He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead approximately one hour later. An autopsy performed Sunday yielded a determination that the manner of death was homicide.

The investigation into Vernet’s death, led by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Bureau and the Asbury Park Police Department, resulted in the juvenile defendant being identified as a suspect, and he was taken into custody without incident Tuesday evening.

Anyone with information about this matter is still urged to contact MCPO Detective Christopher Guy at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Department Detective Anthony Troublefield at 732-774-1300. This case has been assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin J. Sidley.

Despite these juvenile complaints, 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.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about this or any crime can submit a tip to the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tipline at 1-800-671-4400, by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/1182), by calling 800-671-4400, or by going to the website at: www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

Edison, Fishing, Hunting, Middlesex County, Outdoors, State of NJ

Garden State Outdoor Sports Show, August 11-14, 2022, is Cancelled Due To Industry Supply Chain And Labor Issues

Next show in NJ will be: Garden State Outdoor Sports Show, Winter Show January 12-15, 2023

July 14, 2022

EDISON, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–The Outdoor Sports Group (OSG) each January is proud to produce The Garden State Outdoor Sports Show, bringing together the outdoor community to experience a fishing & hunting spectacular.   Due to COVID 19 and health concerns we were unable to produce the 2022 January event and were forced to re-scheduled it to August 11-14,2022.

We had high hopes that an August event on the verge of hunting season would provide a forum for outdoor enthusiast to shop for amazing deals, meet the experts and create enjoyable family memories. While we would prefer to be giving you an update today on joining us at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in Edison, NJ; we unfortunately must cancel the August event.

As events are assembling around the country and we recover from the effects of COVID 19, we find the outdoor industry in a peculiar situation. Our industry has never been so alive with individuals participating in outdoor activities, purchasing hunting & fishing licenses, taking part in conservation awareness, having a desire to travel and much more. The challenge currently is the outdoor industry is still suffering from supply chain and labor shortages making it hard to book a trip, purchase fishing tackle, boats, ATV’s and many of the products that complement the perfect outdoor adventure.

We are passionate about delivering sports shows that showcase the latest products, services, travel destination, ATV’s, RV’s, boats, powersports, fishing tackle, outfitters, wildlife art, hunting supplies, charters, paddle boards, knives and much more. Based on the supply chain and labor issue we would not be able to deliver the quality of show that the outdoor community deserves. As disappointing as it is to cancel an event is in the

best interest of our loyal vendors and attendees Outdoor Sports Group is going to focus its efforts on producing a successful show January 12-15, 2023, that showcases 150-200 + exhibitor booths and delivers 12,500-15,000 + attendees.

The January 2023 show will feature the New Jersey Deer Classic with an impressive display of trophy heads from the previous three hunting seasons, the 9th Annual Garden State 3D Archery Tournament, The Hawg Trough, Fishing & Hunting Seminars and co-located with Safe Con, New Jersey 2nd Amendment Firearms Education Conference. Outdoor enthusiast will have the opportunity to book future fishing trips, buy a boat or RV, and gear up for hunting season, plus much more.

The Outdoor Sports Group staff will be connecting directly with exhibiting companies with more information regarding the postponing of the event, including options to receive a full refund or apply booth deposit to the 2023 events.

Our exhibitor profiles, guest speaker announcements and other information will be available at www.gsoss.com Outdoor Sports Group is schedule to hold these future events:

2023 Show Schedule:

  • Garden State Outdoor Sports Show, Winter Show January 12-15, 2023
  • Northern Illinois Sports Show, January 19-22, 2023
  • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show, March 9-12, 2023

About Outdoor Sports Group

Outdoor Sports Group (OSG) is the producer of the finest outdoor sports show on the East Coast and in the Midwest dedicated to the consumer sports enthusiast. The Outdoor Sports Group team is dedicated to producing sports shows with quality exhibitors, seminars and attractions that speak to sportsmen and women of all ages with a focus on activities that the whole family will enjoy.