Day: September 21, 2022

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County

Hamilton Police, Fire And EMS Respond To Serious Crashes Tonight

Update here:

Update: Residents Pull Hamilton Man To Safety From Fiery Wreck On Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road Saving His Life

September 21, 2022

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Township Police, Fire Department, RWJ EMS and Captial Health Paramedics responded to multiple serious crashes tonight in the Township.

The first crash was reported around 6:40 p.m. on Kuser Road between Perilli Drive and Estates Blvd.-Justice Samuel A Alito Jr Way when a vehicle took out several utility poles. The crash was initially reported as reported entrapment and fire. Upon arrival, police reported a person was out of the vehicle but wires and vehicle was on fire.

PSE&G was on scene to make repairs. Mercer County-Hamilton Fire Police and Hamilton Police had the roadway closed between Perilli Drive and Estates Blvd.-Justice Samuel A Alito Jr Way. The roadway was expected to closed for some time while repairs are made to utility poles.

Above photos from the Kuser Road Crash.

Another crash was reported around 9:53 p.m. in the 2,000 Block of Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road between Klockner and East Bow Road when a sport utility vehicle crashed into a tree and burst into flames. A witness reported that neighbors made a rescue pulling the person out of the vehicle. Hamilton Police, Fire Department, RWJ EMS and Captial Health Paramedics arrived on scene and treated the person for trauma and burns. The fire was extinguished and additional equipment and manpower was called to the scene. The person was transported to Captial Health Regional Medical Center with a “trauma alert” with burns. At the time of this report Hamilton Township Police was still on scene investigating the crash. Hamilton Township Fire Department was assisting with lighting and Public Works was called to help clean up. Further details to follow when they become available.

Photos above from the Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road crash.

Monmouth County, Upper Freehold, Upper Freehold

Monmouth County “Volunteer In Parks” Crew Performs Trail Maintenance Tonight At Clayton Park

September 21, 2022

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Monmouth County Park System “VIP-Volunteer In Parks” trail crew has been working repairing trails in Clayton Park over the past few months. This evening crews were spotted working on Bridges Trail.

According to the Monmouth County Park System website, Volunteers can be found in many different roles throughout the Park System. Every year, over one thousand individuals enrich the Monmouth County Park System through their dedication in the “Volunteers in Parks” program.  The steadfast support of our volunteers contributes to the success of recreation programs, special events, and facilities.

If interested in sharing your time and talents and become a member of the Park System Volunteer team click here: Volunteers In Parks Program

Trail crew doing trail maintenance and trail construction tonight at Clayton Park in Upper Freehold Township. MidJersey.News photo

East Windsor, East Windsor, Hightstown-East Windsor, Mercer County

East Windsor Township Remembers 21st Anniversary of 9/11

September 21, 2022

EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–East Windsor Township held a 9/11 ceremony including a wreath laying to remember the 21st Anniversary of 9/11 on Sunday, September 11 at the East Windsor Municipal Building grounds, at the 9/11 Memorial.  East Windsor Township held and dedicated a 9/11 Memorial 30 days after the events of 9/11 and annually has honored and remembered this day.  East Windsor annually remembers Township residents Colleen Barkow, Lorraine Bay, Debbie Bellows, Anil Bharvaney, Neil Lai, Ruth Lapin as well as Joseph Pycior, and All Other Lost September 11, 2001.

Participants in the ceremony included: East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 1; East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 2; Volunteer Firefighter William Kerr; Boy Scout Troops 59, 6284 and 63;  Cub Scout Pack 53; Apollo Lodge #41; Liliana Morina, East Windsor Regional School District, Hightstown High School; East Windsor Regional School District, Hightstown High School Small Ensemble; Rabbi Jay Kornsgold, Beth El Synagogue; Reverend Stephen E. Bryant, Sr., St. James AME Church; Reverend James R. Egan, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; Police Chief James Geary and Police Department, and Mayor Janice S. Mironov and elected officials.

Mercer County, Trenton

Man Arrested With 9mm Handgun And High-Capacity Magazine With Hollow Point Ammo, Heroin, Crack-Cocaine, And Cash

September 21, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police Violent Crimes Unit Detectives were providing extra attention in the area of Brunswick Avenue when they observed a bulge in Rashaon A Williams waistband area and upon further investigation found him in possession of a handgun.  He was subsequently placed under arrest.  The handgun was found to have a high-capacity magazine loaded with hollow point ammunition.  Search incidental to arrest found Williams to be in possession of a distributable amount of CDS Heroin and CDS Crack-Cocaine.  A Criminal History check revealed Williams to be a Certain Person not to possess a Handgun/Ammunition and was found to have a prior NERA conviction.  This incident occurred within 1000’ of a school.

Rashaon A Williams; [32], Newark, NJ 

Arrestee #1:  Rashaon A Williams; [32], Newark, NJ 

Charges:          

#1: Unlawful Possession of a Handgun – NERA 

#2: Unlawful Possession Hollow Point Rounds 

#3: Unlawful Possession High-Capacity Magazine 

#4: Certain Persons not to Possess Weapons 

#5: Certain Persons not to Possess Ammunition 

#6: Possession of a Handgun during CDS Crime 

#7: Possession of CDS Heroin 

#8: Possession of CDS Heroin w/Intent 

#9: Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine 

#10: Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine w/Intent 

#11: Possession of CDS w/Intent w/in 1000’ School 

Property Confiscated: 

Item #1: Taurus .9mm semi-automatic handgun [High capacity magazine / hollow point ammunition] 

Item #2: 60 decks CDS Heroin 

Item #3: 3 grams CDS Crack-Cocaine 

Item #4: $122.00 U.S. Currency seized 

East Windsor, East Windsor, Hightstown-East Windsor, Mercer County

Overturned Vehicle On St. James Place In East Windsor

September 21, 2022

EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Around 12:30 p.m. a vehicle lost control on St. James Place near North Main Street, hit a tree and overturned in the roadway and a person was reported trapped. East Windsor Police, Hightstown Fire Company, East Windsor Fire Company #2, Monroe Township Fire Department and Cranbury First Aid Squad were all dispatched to the scene. When EMS arrived, they reported entrapment and firefighters said they were going to perform a “door pop” to help get the person out of the vehicle. It was reported that there were no serious injuries, and no one was transported to the hospital. Cranbury Service Center up righted the vehicle and towed it away. East Windsor Police is investigating the crash. No additional details are available at this time.

Mercer County, Trenton

Trenton Police And Mercer County Homicide Task Force Investigate Suspicious Death In Trenton, NJ
Trenton Man Charged With First-Degree Murder

Update here:

Update: 41-Year-Old, Trenton Woman Identified in Park Avenue Suspicious Death

September 21, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a suspicious death in the city, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.

On September 21, 2022, Trenton Communications received a call for a well-being check at a residence on Park Avenue.  Responding officers forced entry and located the body of a deceased individual in the basement. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406.  Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

Trenton Public Information Officer, Timothy J. Carroll told MidJersey.news earlier that Trenton Police Communications Center received a call for a well-being check on a female that lives at 907 Park Avenue. When Police Officers arrived on scene and did not receive an answer at the door. The Trenton Fire Department was requested and forced entry was made.  Police units searched the 1st and 2nd floors with no results.  Units then checked the basement to find a body. The Mercer County Homicide task force was notified and investigating along with Trenton Police.

In an unconfirmed initial report that was told to MidJersey.news Trenton Police responded to a welfare check for relative of the person that lives at the Park Street Address. The relative stated a wallet was found in the car by the relative and bullet holes were found in the house on the initial call in the unconfirmed report. A short time later Trenton Police called the Trenton Fire Department to force the door to check on the person that lives at that address. It was unclear if any shell casings or bullet holes were found as that was said in the initial unconfirmed report.

As of last night, there have been fifteen reported homicides in the City of Trenton for 2022. If this suspicious death is ruled a homicide this will be Trenton’s 16 homicide of 2022. Check back for additional details as they become available.

Trenton Police and the Mercer County Homicide Task Force are investigating a homicide where a Hamilton man was killed last night.

Information about that homicide is here:

Man Shot In Chest While Sitting In Car; Police Investigating Shooting Homicide In Trenton, NJ

Photos of the scene this morning by: Brian McCarthy

Mercer County, Trenton

Trenton Mayor Gusciora Unveils Montgomery Street Plaza Restoration at Ribbon Cutting

September 21, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) – Mayor W. Reed Gusciora ceremoniously cut the ribbon at the completed rehabilitation of Montgomery Street Plaza this week. Connecting historic city landmarks to the Mill Hill neighborhood, the plaza adds to the list of Trenton’s historic sites that have undergone recent restoration efforts.

The plaza is an important downtown site adjacent to the Mill Hill Playhouse, the Douglass House, and Mill Hill Park. The project restored roadway paving within the plaza with new Belgian block pavers, revised the paving pattern and material at the base of the George Washington statue with salvaged granite setts and restored the existing brick sidewalks around the plaza with the salvaged brick pavers from the base of the statue.

Mayor Gusciora was joined by North Ward Councilwoman Marge Caldwell-Wilson, South Ward Councilman George Muschal, community members, and Director of Recreation, Natural Resources, and Culture Maria Richardson.

“It is a privilege to have as much lasting history in a City as we do here,” Mayor Gusciora said. “Through consistent restoration efforts, we will continue to preserve sites and structures like these for future generations of Trentonians to learn from.”

The completion of the Montgomery Street Plaza restoration follows the rehabilitation of the 1888 Pratt Truss bridge over the Assunpink Creek, the restored exterior lighting of the Mill Hill Playhouse and the installation of a new HVAC system for both the playhouse and Douglass House. The city is dedicated to continuing these projects including ongoing and/or proposed historic restorations at Battle Monument Park, the 1796 East Trenton Community Center/Library, Cadwalader Park, and more. 

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Trenton

Prosecutor’s Office Identifies Hamilton Man As Person Killed In Trenton Shooting Last Night

September 21, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a shooting homicide that occurred Tuesday evening in the city, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.

At approximately 7:50 p.m. on September 20, 2022, Trenton police responded to a Shot Spotter activation for multiple rounds in the area of Howard and Hancock streets.  Upon arrival, officers located the victim unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a maroon Cadillac sedan suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.  He was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later.  The victim has been identified as Keenan Anthony Trower, 31, of Hamilton.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406.  Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

Last Night’s MidJersey.News story here:

Man Shot In Chest While Sitting In Car; Police Investigating Shooting Homicide In Trenton, NJ

As of September 20, 2022 there have been 15 reported homicides in the City of Trenton for the year 2022.

Names of the 2022 homicide victims in the City of Trenton:

  1. 2/15/2022 Antwone Barnes, 37, of Trenton, Stabbing
  2. 2/23/2022 Leonardo Fernandez, 32, of Trenton, Stabbing
  3. 3/01/2022 Shimon Nesmith Jr., 19, of Trenton, Shooting
  4. 3/03/2022 Helen Nelson, 73, of Trenton, Physical Assault
  5. 3/15/2022 Albert L. Barnes, 46, of Trenton, Shooting
  6. 3/25/2022 Sequoya Bacon-Jones, 9, of Trenton, Shooting
  7. 3/31/2022 Tahaad Goss, 16, of Trenton, Shooting
  8. 4/07/2022 Jaquir Queen, 26, of Willingboro, Shooting
  9. 4/09/2022 Leroy Davis, 31, of Trenton, Shooting
  10. 5/01/2022 Jamir McNeil, 25 of Trenton, Shooting
  11. 5/22/2022 Ali Abdullah, 25, of Trenton, Shooting
  12. 6/01/2022 Dreiby Osorio, 16, of Trenton, Stabbing
  13. 9/02/2022 Rasheed Barlow, 35, of Trenton, Shooting
  14. 9/11/2022 Chron Jenks, 34, of Ewing, Shooting
  15. 9/20/2022 Keenan Anthony Trower, 31, of Hamilton Shooting
Burlington, Fort Dix

Man Incarcerated At Fort Dix Prison Sentenced To 39 Months In Prison For Fraudulently Obtaining Unemployment Benefits Under CARES Act, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

September 21, 2022

NEWARK, N.J. – An Illinois man was sentenced to 39 months in prison for using other individuals’ personal identification information to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits while he was incarcerated, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Devontae Stokes, 28, of Country Club Hills, Illinois, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an information charging him with conspiring to commit wire fraud. Judge Arleo imposed the sentence by videoconference on Sept. 19, 2022.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act created a new temporary federal unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provided unemployment insurance benefits for individuals who were not eligible for other types of unemployment (e.g., the self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers). The CARES Act also created a new temporary federal program called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (FPUC) that provided an additional weekly benefit to those eligible for PUA and regular unemployment insurance benefits.

Between August 2020 and November 2020, Stokes was incarcerated at FCI Fort Dix, a federal correctional institutional with an adjacent satellite camp located in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Stokes and his conspirators obtained personal identification information (PII), including names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers belonging to other individuals without those individuals’ knowledge and consent. Stokes and his conspirators then used the PII to make fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits applications and obtained more than $140,000 in benefits.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Arleo sentenced Stokes to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution in the amount of $143,290 and forfeiture in the amount of $143,290.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, in New York; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard W. Reinhold in Newark; and special agents of the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Dale Forrester, Cybercrime Investigations Division, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

22-344 

Defense counsel: K. Anthony Thomas Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
Howell, Monmouth County

Howell Township Man Who Ran Illegal Gambling Business Sentenced To 18-Months Prison For Filing False Tax Return

September 21, 2022

TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man who ran an illegal gambling business was sentenced to 18 months in prison for filing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Steven Bryce, 52, of Howell Township, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson to Count Five of an indictment charging him with subscribing to a false tax return. U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi imposed the sentence on Sept. 20, 2022, in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In 2013, Bryce operated an illegal gambling business. On July 14, 2014, Bryce filed with the IRS U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040, for the calendar year 2013 on behalf of himself and his spouse, which falsely stated that they had total income of $112,899. The 2013 tax return was not true and correct: Bryce received significant income from his gambling business, and, as a result, had income substantially in excess of the amount he reported. As part of his plea agreement, Bryce agreed to pay full restitution of $338,885 to the IRS for tax losses resulting from false tax returns filed by Bryce for calendar years 2011 to 2016.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Quraishi sentenced Bryce to one year of supervised release, a $50,000 fine, and ordered to pay $338,885 in restitution.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins, and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara F. Merin and J Fortier Imbert of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

22-345 

Defense counsel: Edward C. Bertuccio Hamilton, New Jersey

Monmouth County Man Charged With Filing A False Tax Return
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
Middlesex County, South Brunswick

South Brunswick Police Investigate Fatal Monday Night Crash

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–South Brunswick Police continue to investigate the fatal Monday night crash that claimed the life of a 21-year-old Monroe woman. At 10:32 p.m., South Brunswick Police received multiple 911 calls of an overturned van on Route 130 near Deans Rhode Hall Road. Officers arrived and found a 2003 Ford Econoline van had been traveling Route 130 southbound being driven by Eli Szmer a 32-year-old male from Monroe. Mr. Szmer for unknown reasons lost control of his vehicle and crossed the grass divider, the northbound lanes of travel then struck the guardrail off the northbound shoulder of the highway. The force of the collision caused the van to flip over. A female front seat passenger, Cassidy Cutler aged 21 of Monroe was killed in the crash and pronounced at the scene. Szmer and Cutler were the only two occupants of the van. Szmer was uninjured in the crash.

In addition to the South Brunswick Police, the Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad, Monmouth Junction Fire Department, New Jersey State Department of Transportation and the Middlesex County Medical Examiner responded to the crash. Route 130 was closed in both directions for five hours.

 The investigation is currently ongoing by the South Brunswick Police Traffic Safety Bureau. PFC Mike Leung is the lead investigator in the crash. Anyone with information should contact PFC Leung at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7472.