PA Man Charged In $14.5K Facebook Marketplace Scam In East Windsor, Shoplifting, DUI Crash And More In This Week’s Police Blotter

February 9, 2023

EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–The East Windsor Township Police Department initiated the following police reports through Wednesday, February 8, 2023.


DUI/Motor Vehicle Accident

Location: Old York Road Time/Date: 3:34 AM, 02/04/2023

The officer responded to the area of Old York Road for a motor vehicle accident. The driver of the vehicle struck a utility pole and was uninjured. The driver exhibited signs of impairment and was placed under arrest after failing field sobriety tests. The driver was later released pending court action. The damage to the utility pole resulted in the roadway being closed for several hours and repairs were completed.

    Defendant:            Vito Tinari Staten Island, NY 23 Years of Age

    Charges:                DUI

    Reckless Driving Careless Driving

    Arresting Officer: Patrol Officer Dylan Dempsey


    • Shoplifting

    Location: 319 Route 130 (ShopRite) Time/Date: 1:24 PM, 02/04/2023

    The officer responded to ShopRite for a reported shoplifting. Investigation revealed that the individual left the store without paying for $19.93 worth of merchandise. The individual was arrested and later released pending court action.

    Defendant:

    Charges:

    Lisa Wilson

    East Windsor, NJ 52 Years of Age

    Shoplifting

    Arresting Officer: Detective Joseph Amejka


    • Shoplifting/Resisting Arrest/Motor Vehicle Accident Location: 319 Route 130 (ShopRite)

    Time/Date:  4:43 PM, 02/04/2023

    The officer responded to ShopRite-for a reported shoplifting. Investigation revealed that the individual left the store without paying for $413.33 worth of merchandise. While exiting the parking lot, the individual struck a parked vehicle and left the scene of the accident. The individual was located at his residence and attempted to evade officers by fleeing on foot. The individual was placed under arrest and transported to the Mercer County Correctional Center as a result of the incident.

    Defendant:

    Charges:

    Joshua Welch East Windsor, NJ 30 Years of Age

    Shoplifting Obstructing

    Hindering Apprehension Resisting Arrest

    Leaving the Scene of an Accident Failure to Report an Accident Careless Driving

    Reckless Driving

    Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License Unregistered Vehicle

    Arresting Officer: Patrol Officer Andrew Smith


    • Fraud

    Time/Date: 10:00 AM, 02/08/2023

    In August of 2022, a local resident was defrauded of $14,500.00 following a Facebook Marketplace scam where the resident purchased a vehicle that had been stolen and assigned a fraudulent title. The detective identified the suspect through his investigation and the individual was charged on a complaint summons pending court action.

    Defendant:

    Charges:

    Eliezer Soto Philadelphia, PA 25 Years of Age

    Theft by Deception Forgery

    Arresting Officer:  Detective Gregory Hager