Day: July 21, 2023

Ewing, Ewing, Mercer County, Trenton

Escaped Inmate In Ewing-Trenton Area Captured

UPDATE: Ewing Police Reported at 5:26 p.m. that Slater is in custody.

June 21, 2023

EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing Township Police Department reports that at 1:53 p.m. the Ewing Police Department was notified of an inmate who escaped a minimum-security work detail on Stuyvesant Avenue. Information provided to us at the time indicated a confirmed sighting of the inmate in the City of Trenton. We were also told that the inmate escaped and remained in Trenton.

At 3:43 p.m., we were told that the inmate may have been seen on Grand Avenue in Ewing. The inmate is Jessey Slater. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and gray shorts. At this time we do not know what he was incarcerated for, but we were told that he was a minimum security inmate. If you see anyone matching this description, please call 911 immediately. The New Jersey Department of Corrections is handling this investigation.

Police reported that you will probably see an increased police presence in the area of Grand Avenue and beyond. We will provide updates as they are given to us. Ewing Police have dedicated a supervisor and several detectives to assist in this investigation and to ensure we are getting timely and accurate information. A reverse 911 should be going out very shortly to residents in the area.

Jessey Slater an inmate who escaped a minimum-security work detail on Stuyvesant Avenue.

UPDATE: Ewing Police Reported at 5:26 p.m. that Slater is in custody.

Allentown, Allentown, Monmouth County, Upper Freehold, Upper Freehold

Traffic Alert County Road 539 Closed Near Allentown

July 21, 2023

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 3:15 firefighters from Hope Fire Company/Upper Freehold Township and Captial Health EMS responded to County Road 539-Allentown Davis Station between High Street and Walnford Road. Upon arrival it was found a vehicle hit a pole and wires were down on the roadway. The roadway from County Road 539 by the Cream Ridge Golf Course to Main Street Allentown will be closed until repairs are made.

Seek alternate routes use Route 526 Bypass to County Road 526 to Sharon Station Road to County Road 539.

Currently Google Maps shows a 1/2-mile traffic delay in the area.

Upper Freehold Township Firefighters reported that units currently operating at a Motor Vehicle Accident involving powerlines across the roadway. High Street to 539 will be shut down until further notice. Please use caution in the area and find an alternate route of travel.

Upper Freehold Township Professional Firefighters photo

band, Hamilton, Hamilton, High School, Mercer County, Special Events

Rising Junior at Steinert High School to Perform on National School of Rock AllStars Tour and Raise Funds to Support Teen Suicide Prevention

July 21, 2023

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Dean Svecz, a 16-year-old resident of Hamilton Township and a vocal student at School of Rock Princeton, will be a member of the School of Rock AllStars, which is a touring ensemble of some of the top teen musicians from School of Rock franchises from across the country.  Dean and his AllStars bandmates will perform at venues across four midwestern states from July 31 through August 5 to support mental health awareness as well as raise funds for the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS).

“The AllStars tour is going to be an amazing and once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Svecz, who began as a student at SoR Princeton in 2020 and whose biggest inspirations are Elvis Presley and Freddie Mercury.  “I’m looking forward to meeting new people, performing at incredible venues, and helping to support SPTS.”

Being a member of the AllStars represents the highest level of achievement for School of Rock music students. Fewer than 1% of 62,000 SoR students from across the country are selected to join the ensemble.

Dean and his Midwest Team band will have an authentic touring experience, including traveling on a tour bus, doing publicity, and starring in nightly performances at such venues as Zanzabar in Louisville, KY;  Old Rock House in St. Louis, MO;  Reggie’s Rock Club and the Lollapalooza Fest in Chicago; Fitzgerald’s Night Club in Berwyn, IL; and Hi-Fi Annex in Indianapolis, IN.

A portion of the ticket sales and donations that are collected during the School of Rock AllStars tour will support SPTS, which is dedicated to reducing the stigma around discussing suicide and empowering teens, parents, and educators with the skills needed to help youths in crisis.

Dean Svecz from Hamilton Township. Photo: provided

Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Woodbridge

64-Year-Old Woodbridge Man Charged In Seeking Sex With 14-Year-Old For Cash

July 21, 2023

FREEHOLD – A Middlesex County man has been arrested and charged with seeking a sexual encounter with an underage girl in exchange for cash, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Thursday.  

Martin Klose, 64, of Woodbridge is charged with second-degree Luring, second-degree Sexual Assault, and third-degree Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child. An investigation by members of the MCPO Special Victims Bureau and High Tech Bureau revealed that Klose was attempting to set up a sexual encounter with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old girl via the Internet. Klose was taken into custody without incident earlier this week.  

Investigators are also seeking additional information about Klose’s activities. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Anthony Lacher at 800-533-7443.  

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line 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.  

Convictions on charges of this nature are commonly punishable by terms of up to 10 years in state prison, along with being subject to the provisions of Megan’s Law registration and Parole Supervision for Life.   This case is assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Competello.  

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.

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Trenton

Pair From Trenton Busted in Connection to Hamilton Township Auto Thefts

July 21, 2023

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On Thursday July 20, 2023 at approximately 5:00 a.m., Hamilton Police were dispatched to the 800 block of South Olden Avenue on a report of two males entering vehicles in the area.  A witness was watching the suspects enter vehicles and gave a description to dispatch.  Upon arrival, Officer checked the area and located both suspects.  Officer Avanzato Jr. and Officer Mutek were able to arrest one of the suspects while the other suspect fled on foot.  Officer Fratz and Officer Aquino arrived on scene and were able to locate and arrest the other suspect.  Further investigation revealed the two suspects not only entered vehicles in the area but also were in possession of a stolen vehicle they drove to the area.  The suspects were identified as Malachi Davis, 20, of Trenton and a 16-year-old juvenile from Trenton.      

Davis and the juvenile were charged with two counts of Burglary to Auto, two counts of Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Hindering Apprehension, and Possession of Burglar’s Tools.  Davis was transported to the Mercer County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.       

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Mike Durand of the Hamilton Police Division Major Crimes Unit at (609) 689-5827, Detective Tom Clugsten of the Hamilton Police Division Juvenile Unit at (609) 581-4027 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.  

Malachi Davis, 20, of Trenton

Berkeley, Ocean County

Fatal Berkeley Township Fire Ruled Accidental

July 21, 2023

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 20, 2023, at approximately 1:50 p.m., the Berkeley Township Police Department and Berkeley Township Fire Departments were dispatched to a structure fire at 1 Miles Pond Road in Berkeley Township.  During fire suppression efforts, the deceased body of a 77 year-old female victim was discovered in the dining room of the structure.    

A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Berkeley Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, determined that the fire originated in the kitchen of the structure – more specifically in the dishwasher – and that a failure of energized electrical equipment cannot be eliminated as the cause of the fire. The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental.    

“We have been unable to locate any next of kin for the victim that perished in this fire.  Anyone in possession of information concerning this victim who resided at 1 Miles Pond Rd., including any family members, please contact Detective John Doran of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3524,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.    

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Berkeley Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this fire suppression and investigation.

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County

Hamilton Informs Taxpayers of Estimated Third Quarter Tax Bill

July 21, 2023

HAMILTON, NJ – Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin and the Township Council have authorized an estimated third-quarter tax bill for residents to stay current with statutory mandates for tax collection. 

Locally, and for the third year in a row, Hamilton Township will have no local municipal tax increase. However, Hamilton Township collects property taxes for Mercer County and Hamilton Township School District. To date, Mercer County still needs to adopt its 2023 budget. For this reason, the Township will begin mailing an estimated third-quarter-only bill based on what the Township believes Mercer County’s tax rate will be once its budget is adopted.

 
“Hamilton collects property taxes for more than just your local government; we also collect for Mercer County and Hamilton Township School District. While Mercer County’s tax rate is unknown and Hamilton Township has no increase, the Hamilton Township School Board adopted a budget with a minor increase of less than $1/month for the average homeowner,” noted Mayor Jeff Martin. “Taken together, both of your local Hamilton government entities have again shown how diligently they are working to make living in ‘America’s Favorite Hometown’ affordable. Together with the NJ ANCHOR property tax rebate program, many residents are paying less in property taxes in 2023 than they did in 2019.” 


While Hamilton Township has worked hard to control the impacts of inflation, the Township knows many need help to make ends meet. If you or someone you know needs help paying your bills, programs such as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), and the Senior Freeze Program (PTR) are available to assist. 


Residents may contact HAMStat with questions and information on the tax billing and assistance programs by calling (609) 586-0311, texting (609) 710-9600, emailing HAMStat@hamiltonnj.com or submitting a request through our mobile app or online portal at www.HamiltonNJ.com/311. Hamilton Township will mail a reconciled tax bill later this summer or early fall for the fourth quarter of 2023 and preliminary first and second quarters of 2024 after Mercer County passes its budget.