Day: April 3, 2023

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Monmouth County, Upper Freehold, Upper Freehold

National Weather Service Confirms EF-1 Tornados In Crosswicks And Allentown-Cream Ridge Areas

April 3, 2023

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The National Weather Service Mount Holly has determined that tornadoes hit the Crosswicks, Allentown-Cream Ridge areas during the storms of April 1, 2023. The National Weather Service determined them to be in the EF-1 range with an estimated maximum of 90 MPH. Further details will be are yet to be determined such as path and width of the tornados. Check back for updates.

Allentown-Cream Ridge Tornado…

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    110 mph
Path Length /statute/:  4.0 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   550 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             April 1, 2023
Start Time:             7:14 PM EDT
Start Location:         Allentown / Monmouth County / NJ
Start Lat/Lon:          40.1541 / -74.5715

End Date:               April 1, 2023
End Time:               7:17 PM EDT
End Location:           Upper Freehold Twp / Monmouth County / NJ
End Lat/Lon:            40.1484 / -74.4965

A new QLCS tornado developed just west of a neighborhood on 
Walnford Road southeast of Allentown. The most significant damage 
from the tornado occurred to properties within the neighborhood, 
especially those along an open field to the southeast. The tornado
was also near its widest point in this area. Numerous trees were 
uprooted or snapped within the neighborhood. A few homes sustained
removal of roofing material, siding removal, windows blown out, 
and a couple garage doors blown out. Damage in this area was 
consistent with wind speeds estimated to be near 110 mph. An 
irrigation pivot was blown into a fence separating the 
neighborhood and the field where it was toppled over, partially 
into some residential yards.

The tornado continued eastward across the field toward Allentown 
Davis Station Road where another shorter irrigation pivot was 
overturned. Along the road, several trees were snapped or uprooted
near and northwest of the intersection with Polhemustown Road and
Holmesmill Road. A wooden power pole was also leaning in the 
direction of the tornado’s motion. The tornado continued east 
along Allentown Davis Station Road where more mainly minor tree 
damage occurred. At the traffic circle intersection with Sharon 
Station Road, several road signs were blown down in various 
directions. The tornado moved east-southeastward into a field just
south of a farmstead and north of Davis Station Road. The tornado
entered another wooded residential area near the intersection of 
Davis Station Road ans Harvey Road where more significant tree 
damage occurred and the tornadic circulation widened. The tornado 
moved east across Meirs Road where numerous trees were snapped or 
uprooted on residential properties, once of which fell onto power 
lines.

The tornado moved east toward a residential neighborhood along 
Long Acre Drive where some additional tree damage occurred. The 
tornado moved east of the residential area across a tree line and 
then dissipated in an open field along Emleys Hill-Prospertown 
Road.

Crosswicks-Hamilton Twp NJ Tornado…

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    100 mph
Path Length /statute/:  2.8 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   300 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             April 1, 2023
Start Time:             7:08 PM EDT
Start Location:         Crosswicks / Burlington County / NJ
Start Lat/Lon:          40.1525 / -74.6461

End Date:               April 1, 2023
End Time:               7:11 PM EDT
End Location:           Upper Freehold Twp / Monmouth County / NJ
End Lat/Lon:            40.1550 / -74.5945

After a straight line wind event upstream toward Bordentown along
Ward Avenue, a QLCS tornado developed in the village of 
Crosswicks around 7:08 PM EDT. Much of the damage in Crosswicks 
was primarily tree damage with numerous trees uprooted or snapped.
Additional straight line wind damage occurred south of the 
village that was not directly related to the tornadic circulation.
The tornado moved east out of the village just north of Ellisdale
Road where fairly significant tree damage continued on 
residential properties. The tornado moved into an inaccessible 
wooded area along Crosswicks Creek where it crossed into Hamilton 
Twp in Mercer County. It emerged along a tree line near the back 
of the Sawmill YMCA property where it continued east toward the 
intersection of Sawmill Road and Iron Bridge Road. Near this 
intersection, several trees were uprooted.

The tornado continued east along Sawmill Road toward Extonville 
Road Where additional trees were uprooted. The tornado dissipated 
in a field around 7:11 PM EDT east of Extonville Road where it 
crossed just over the Monmouth County boarder into Upper Freehold 
Twp. No additional tornadic damage was observed east of this field
across Ellisdale Road until the next tornado began near Walnford 
Road.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=600762875409814&set=a.244139287738843

Storm damage from the April 1, 2023 storm as seen on April 2, 2023.

Mercer County, Robbinsville, Robbinsville

Robbinsville Shuts Down Another Unsafe Structure Used As Rooming House

UPDATE: Statement from Robbinsville Township Council Regarding BAPS Investigation

April 10, 2023

Members of Township Council are profoundly disturbed by the recent findings at dwellings on North Main Street and Voelbel Road. The conditions found within those buildings, the number of occupants residing there, along with the myriad of Fire Code and Uniform Construction Code violations are obviously unacceptable. The safety and well-being of all residents and visitors to Robbinsville Township is paramount, and we will continue to do everything within our power to hold the person(s) responsible for these violations accountable. As Mayor Dave Fried stated previously in media interviews, all the houses known to be boarding dozens of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha volunteers have been shut down with some deemed uninhabitable until all required repairs are completed, and inspections conducted. All Code violations found will be pursued in Municipal Court. Robbinsville Township Administration and the Police Department have referred the case to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. While outside agencies are investigating, including the FBI, we ask for your patience as they carefully and methodically review the case. 
While we understand people want to know all the details as soon as issues occur, that is not always possible because those pieces of information could very well disrupt and even derail an investigation. There is a team of people working hard every day to keep everyone safe. Please keep in mind Robbinsville officials, with the help of residents, initiated these raids.
Please continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Township Administration and our Police Department.  Also feel free to reach out to us at council@robbinsville.net.

Sincerely,

Debbie Blakely – President
Mike Todd – Vice President
Chris Ciaccio
Ron Witt
Mike Cipriano

**********

April 7, 2023

Update from Mayor Dave Fried:

“I want to give a brief update on the BAPS situation. The Town became aware of volunteers being housed by other volunteers in unsafe conditions. Robbinsville obtained warrants and have condemned the unsafe structures. We have alerted the prosecutor’s office. Leadership at BAPS has informed us of other houses where volunteers have been housed. Those houses have been shut down. Robbinsville will not tolerate anyone living in unsafe conditions. If you see something that you think could be a concern or large amounts of people living in a dwelling. Please let us know. We are here to serve you. If you see something, say something even if you are not sure.”

April 3, 2023

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)—MidJersey.news has learned that Police, Fire, Construction Officials and Federal agents were at a house in the 100 Block of Voelbel Road in the Windsor section of the Township this morning for an investigation. It was discovered that twenty-two beds were in a house that they believe was being used as a rooming house for housing BAPS “Volunteers”. The house was posted with an orange “Unsafe Structure” notice on the front entrance door.

Mayor Dave Fried stated that he was aware of the situation and it seems to be a pattern we are obviously very concerned for anyone living in unsafe conditions in Robbinsville Township.

Mayor Fried said, “We are going to continue to investigate all reports of unsafe living conditions in Robbinsville”

Fried stated that the Township has alerted other authorities and there is an ongoing Federal investigation but could not comment on specifics of the investigation.

Police, construction officials, fire officials and Federal agents at a house on Voelbel Road in the Windsor section of the Township this morning.

The last incident with a rooming house in Robbinsville was on March 15, 2023 on North Main Street.

Robbinsville Ambulance 40, EMS workers responded to 93 North Main Street in Windsor on March 15, 2023 for a person believed to be having a stroke. When the ambulance crew entered the structure “A40 single gas CO monitor began to alarm.” Warning the ambulance crew of carbon monoxide present. The Fire/EMS report states “The patient was removed from the building and into the ambulance for further assessment. A40 transported with ALS to RWJ Hamilton. Squad 40 remained on scene and investigated the CO alarm.”

The Robbinsville Police Department report states police responded with Ambulance 40 and Engine 40 for a patient with possible stroke symptoms. As the EMT’s were evaluating the patient the EMT’s carbon monoxide detector emitted a warning about carbon monoxide levels in the dwelling.

The Robbinsville Police Department report also stated that the “building was currently housing thirty-three female work volunteers for the BAPS Temple (112 North Main Street).”

Read the full story at the link below:

33 Female BAPS Temple “Volunteers” Evacuated From Home Being Used As Rooming House After Carbon Monoxide Incident
Robbinsville Firefighters Respond To Reported Carbon Monoxide Incident In Windsor Section Of Township
Brick, Ocean County

2-Alarm House Fire In Brick Township, NJ

April 3, 2023

BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Around 2:15 p.m. April 2, 2023, Brick Township recieved a reported car fire in the driveway of 39 Garden Avenue with reported exposures. Shortly after, police arrived and confirmed there was a car fire and that it had already extended to the home. Chief 2300 arrived and sized up the home to be one story wood frame with car fire extending to the home. Fire crews stretched hose lines and quickly knocked down the fire that extended into the home. Crews operated for around two hours before clearing the scene. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. The fire is currently under investigation by the Brick Township Fire Bureau.

Photos and video below by: Ryan Mack, Jersey Shore Fire Response

Allentown, Allentown, Mercer County, Monmouth County, Robbinsville, Robbinsville, Upper Freehold, Upper Freehold

Driver Charged With Death By Auto, DWI And Other Charges In Fatal Crash That Killed Motorcyclist From Upper Freehold Twp., NJ

April 3, 2023

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Robbinsville Police have identified the victim of the fatal crash on Friday March 31, 2023, on Old York Road at Montgomery Way as Jake Schreck, 22, of Upper Freehold Township, NJ.

Police say that on March 31, 2023, at 5:40 p.m. Police, Fire and EMS responded to the area of Old York Road (CR Route 539) and Montgomery Way for a motor vehicle crash with injuries. Upon arrival police found two vehicles, a Harley Davidson Motorcycle, and a Toyota Camry. The operator of the motorcycle was treated and transported to RWJ at Hamilton Hospital where he was later pronounced.

The Robbinsville Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit along with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team investigated the crash. The roadway was closed for approximately three hours for the investigation.

Today Robbinsville Police reported that they have charged Ketan Kabaria, 47, of Yardley, Pennsylvania who was driving a Toyota Camry with the following offenses. Death By Auto (2nd Degree), Driving While Intoxicated, Careless Driving and Failure to yield right of way at an intersection. Kabaria, was placed under arrest and was later transported to the Mercer County Correctional Facility.

Anyone with pertinent information related to this case is asked to contact the Robbinsville Township Police Criminal Investigations Unit at 609-259-3900

22-Year-Old Motorcyclist From Allentown, NJ, Dies After Collision With Car On Old York Road In Robbinsville Twp.