Day: April 21, 2023

State of NJ

Workers Memorial Day 2023; Honor Our Fallen Workers By Doing Your Part To Protect Others

In New Jersey in 2022, 44 workers lost their lives. These workers were employed at construction sites and in general industries such as milling operations, warehousing, and manufacturing.

April 21, 2023

By Patricia Jones, Director of OSHA’s Avenel Area Office in honor of Worker Memorial Day.

In May 2022, Armando Ribau, a 53-year-old man employed at a Sayreville, New Jersey, steel mill was pulled in and crushed by a rolling mill machine he was adjusting. He tragically died from his injuries.

A federal safety investigation that followed found the equipment was not shut down using the proper, required procedures to protect employees from hazardous energy, such as the unexpected startup of a machine. Sadly, workplace deaths, like this one, are an all-too-common occurrence in the U.S.

Each year, thousands of workers of all ages die needlessly – leaving their families, friends and communities to grieve – when required safety and health standards are ignored. Each day, 14 people suffer preventable work-related deaths. Tens of thousands more die of preventable work-related diseases.

In New Jersey in 2022, 44 workers lost their lives. These workers were employed at construction sites and in general industries such as milling operations, warehousing, and manufacturing.

These numbers remind us of the dangers many workers face. Behind these numbers, there are people who mourn each loss. For them, these statistics are loved ones: they’re parents, children, siblings, relatives, friends, or co-workers.

For those left behind the day their loved one was lost becomes a sad remembrance. Graduations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and other special times are forever tainted.

On April 28, we pay tribute to those whose jobs claimed their lives in New Jersey on Workers Memorial Day. An opportunity for us to pause and join those families, friends, and co-workers to recall those who suffered work-related injuries and illnesses. The remembrance also recognizes the grief that their survivors face in the days, months, and years after.

Workers Memorial Day also reminds us that more must be done to prevent workplace deaths, injuries, and illnesses. For those of us at the U.S. Department of Labor and, specifically, its Occupational Safety and Health Administration, this annual commemoration reinforces our commitment to developing and enforcing standards and initiatives to safeguard workers and guide employers as they work to provide safe workplaces.

Remember, we all have a role to play in making sure our nation’s workplaces do not endanger our safety and health. If you see people exposed to workplace dangers, don’t ignore your concerns. Alert the employer or contact your local OSHA office or law enforcement agency. Demand that the stores you frequent, the companies that get your business, and those you hire protect the people they employ. If they won’t, take your business to those who respect their workers’ rights to a safe and healthy workplace, and who don’t put profit ahead of the lives of the people who help them earn it.

On Workers Memorial Day 2023, let’s remember those who didn’t return home after work and commit ourselves to making sure that no one is forced to trade their life for a paycheck.

Patricia Jones is the director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Area Office in Avenel, New Jersey

Workers Memorial Wall. In Remembrance

New Jersey Event(s)

Name: Workers Memorial Day March and Rally

Date: Sunday, 4/23/2023

Location: Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, 222 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Description: The NJ Work Environment Council, New Labor and an Intersectional Coalition that calls for action on worker & climate protection for Workers’ Memorial Day 2023.

Website: https://njwec.salsalabs.org/WorkersMemorialDay2023/index.html

Host: NJ Work Environment Council, New Labor, United Steelworkers District 4, New Jersey Education Association, Central Jersey Coalition Against Endless War.

Contact Name(s): Cecelia Leto, project director, WEC

Contact Email: cgilliganleto@njwec.org

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Name: New Jersey Department of Labor’s Workers Memorial Day Event

Date: Friday, 4/28/2023

Location: Virtually at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1614957816?pwd=cy9iMWlVenJzSzNGSm9qc05GTWlzUT09

Time: 10:00 a.m. ET

Description: The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the NJ State Industrial Safety Committee is co-sponsoring a memorial program to honor those who have lost their lives during the course of employment in calendar year 2022.

Website: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1614957816?pwd=cy9iMWlVenJzSzNGSm9qc05GTWlzUT09

Host: NJ Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

Contact Name(s): Theresa Kramarz

Contact Email: Theresa.Kramarz@dol.nj.gov

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Trenton

Biggie Zaza Tobacco Shop In Hamilton Busted For Unlicensed Marijuana And Edible Sales

April 21, 2023

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On Thursday April 20, 2023 at approximately 12:45 P.M., Hamilton Police were dispatched to 1710 Kuser Road to assist the Hamilton Township Health Inspector and Hamilton Township Building Inspectors with a spot check of a business in the complex after receiving complaints for unlicensed marijuana and edible sales.  The business was identified as Biggie Zaza Tobacco Shop.  Upon arrival, the Hamilton Township inspection staff entered the business along with Officers.  While the inspectors began their checks, Hamilton Police Officers observed several containers of Cannabis and related contraband that were not permitted for sale or distribution in plain view.  The store was occupied by the owner of the business as well as several other patrons.  The Officers exited the business, secured it, and contacted the Criminal Investigations Section.  Detectives applied for a search warrant of the premises which was granted.  During the search of the business Detectives located numerous edibles, vape cartridges and related products that contained suspected marijuana along with several pounds of suspected marijuana the owner was unlicensed to sell.  The owner, who was identified as Lewis Bradley-Samuel, 36, of Trenton was placed under arrest.

Bradley-Samuel was charged with Distribution of CDS (Marijuana), Possession of More than Six Ounces of Marijuana, Distributions of CDS (Marijuana) within a 1000 Feet of School Property, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was transported the Mercer County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.

The Hamilton Police Division and Hamilton Township Inspectors are actively investigating any store in the township that may be selling marijuana and marijuana products without a license.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Frank Burger of the Hamilton Police Division Major Crimes Unit at (609) 581-4010.  You may also contact the Hamilton Police or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008 to report any unlicensed stores selling marijuana.

Owner of Biggie Zaza Tobacco Shop, Lewis Bradley-Samuel, 36, of Trenton was placed under arrest. Bradley-Samuel was charged with Distribution of CDS (Marijuana), Possession of More than Six Ounces of Marijuana, Distributions of CDS (Marijuana) within a 1000 Feet of School Property, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was transported the Mercer County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.

Monmouth County, Wall

Additional Charges Filed Against Wall Police Department Sergeant Accused Of Stealing $75K+ From PBA

April 21, 2023

FREEHOLD – Additional criminal charges have been filed against the Wall Township Police Department Sergeant accused of stealing more than $75,000 from his local Police Benevolent Association (PBA) chapter, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Friday.  

James R. Cadigan, 41, is charged with second-degree Official Misconduct, third-degree Theft by Deception, third-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking, and fourth-degree Falsifying Records, in addition to the original charge of second-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking.

An investigation into Cadigan’s activities was initiated last year by the MCPO Professional Responsibility & Bias Crime Bureau, upon receipt of a referral by the Wall Township PBA Local No. 234, which had discovered that a significant amount of cash proceeds was missing following the PBA’s “Pignic,” an annual summertime barbecue fundraiser.Sgt. Cadigan was solely responsible for orchestrating and running the event in 2022 and in many preceding years. The PBA annually donates proceeds from the event to various charitable organizations.   

In addition to confirming that a significant amount of cash was missing from the Pignic proceeds, the investigation revealed that starting at least in 2018 and in each year thereafter, Cadigan made numerous unauthorized cash withdrawals from multiple PBA bank accounts and wrote checks to himself and to cash from these accounts. It was determined that Cadigan would make these withdrawals both while on and off duty, sometimes in street clothes and other times in his full police uniform.

As the investigation continued, it revealed that from February 2020 to November 2022, in his capacity as President of the Wall American Youth Football (AYF) nonprofit organization, Cadigan also used a debit card intended for purchases to benefit the organization to purchase approximately $20,000 worth of items for his own personal use. Such items included pool pumps and chemicals, a quilted hammock, a truck hitch, a karaoke machine, a weight sled trainer, a boot warmer, an inflatable movie screen, grill tools and accessories, a pressure washer, backyard and holiday decorations, and accessories for tapping and serving draft beer.

The investigation also revealed facts constituting the basis of two additional criminal charges: first, Cadigan did not apply for a required license for a 50/50 raffle held for the 2022 Pignic, instead falsifying the license number for the raffle tickets; and second, he organized a powderpuff football game involving mothers of AYF football players, with approximately $3,000 in proceeds earmarked for donation to a breast cancer awareness and prevention charity, but instead pocketed the money for himself. 

Cadigan was served the new charges against him via summons through his attorney on Wednesday, pending future proceedings to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.

This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the MCPO Professional Responsibility & Bias Crime Bureau. Cadigan is being represented by Mitchell J. Ansell, Esq., with an office in Ocean Township.

Anyone with information about this or related matters is urged to contact MCPO Detective Brian Hammarstrom at 800-533-7443.

Convictions on second-degree criminal charges can be punishable by up to 10 years in state prison, while third-degree charges are commonly punishable by terms of up to 5 years. A conviction for Official Misconduct carries a mandatory five-year period of parole ineligibility. Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law

Ewing, Ewing, Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Trenton

Fourth Suspect Arrested in Easter Sunday Homicide in Trenton

April 21, 2023

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced the arrest today of the fourth suspect in the April 9, 2023, shooting homicide on Federal Street in Trenton.

Bayshawn Brown, 22, of Ewing, was taken into custody on Thursday in Florence Township, New Jersey. He is charged along with Joseph Fayson, Justin Malkin and Darrin Eutsey with first- degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and third-degree theft by receiving stolen property. The prosecutor’s office has filed motions to detain the defendants.

As previously announced, at approximately 6:56 p.m. on Sunday, April 9, 2023, Trenton police responded to a ShotSpotter notification reporting multiple shots fired in the area of Lamberton and Federal streets. Upon arrival, officers located a male gunshot victim in the driver’s seat of his parked gray 2010 Infiniti G37. The vehicle and the victim, later identified as Jhosse Tolentino, 23, of Trenton, were each struck multiple times. Tolentino was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Brown was the fourth person seen on video surveillance exiting the Toyota 4Runner and approaching the victim’s vehicle with a firearm. The defendants shot at the victim’s vehicle, then returned to and fled in the 4Runner.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call HTF Detective Karl Johnston or HTF Detective Nicholas Barber at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Bayshawn Brown, 22, of Ewing, was taken into custody on Thursday in Florence Township, New Jersey. He is charged along with Joseph Fayson, Justin Malkin and Darrin Eutsey with first- degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and third-degree theft by receiving stolen property. The prosecutor’s office has filed motions to detain the defendants.

Trenton And Hamilton Men Charged In Easter Sunday Murder
Homicide Reported In Trenton On Easter Sunday
Prosecutor’s Office Identifies 23-Year-Old Man Shot And Killed On Lamberton Street On Easter Sunday
East Windsor, East Windsor, Ewing, Ewing, Hamilton, Hamilton, Hightstown, Hightstown, Hightstown-East Windsor, Hopewell, Lawrence, Mercer County, Pennington, Princeton, Robbinsville, Robbinsville, Trenton, West Windsor, West Windsor

Mercer County Prosecutor Warns of Phone Scam

April 21, 2023

Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri wants to warn the public of a telephone scam where a caller falsely claimed to be a law enforcement Officer employed by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

On April 20, 2023, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Cyber Crimes Unit, was contacted by the Cranbury Township Police Department in Middlesex County and advised that a victim reported that they received a call from a number purporting to be the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the caller falsely claimed to be “Sergeant Whitlock” with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. The scammer claimed the resident had a warrant for their arrest and directed the victim to drive to a drugstore to purchase gift cards.

As a reminder, law enforcement will never ask for payment of any type over the phone, nor will they ask for personal identifying information that could be used for fraudulent purposes. Law enforcement, government agencies, and courts will never ask you to pay by unusual methods, such as gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.

Scammers often research their potential victims on the internet and social media. Scammers will call and deceive their victims into thinking the callers are law enforcement officers, prosecutors or police employees. Scammers may spoof a law enforcement telephone number, falsely showing on the victim’s caller ID. Spoofed phone numbers are typically done through a VPN (Virtual Private Network) making it difficult for law enforcement to track the actual caller. The scammers may threaten their victims with arrest for outstanding warrants or other legal issues.

Should you receive a call from a police department within Mercer County and/or the Prosecutor’s Office, please confirm with whom you are speaking. If you believe you received a scam telephone call, hang up and call the main phone number to the police department or Prosecutor’s Office (609-989-6351). If legitimate, you’ll be connected with a Police Dispatcher or receptionist who can verify the caller’s identity. Report any scam calls to your local law enforcement agency.