August 18, 2023
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Bordentown Township and Robbinsville Township Fire Departments responded to the New Jersey Turnpike at 12:34 a.m. for a truck fire between Exits 7 and 7A. A New Jersey State Trooper on scene at mile post 57 north bound inner roadway reported a truck well engulfed in fire. Firefighters arrived a short time later and extinguished the fire. No other information is available.
August 16, 2023
UPDATE:
SFC Philip Curry of the New Jersey State Police, Office of Public Information told MidJersey.news that the crash occurred at 3:57 p.m. on the NJ Turnpike southbound on the inner roadway Mile Post 56.3 in Chesterfield. Preliminary information indicated that 4 vehicles were involved in a crash with multiple roll-overs. One minor non-life threatening injury was reported.
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–For the second time today there was a serious crash on the New Jersey Turnpike south bound this time involving both the inner and outer lanes in the area of mile post 56.3. The crash involving multiple vehicles happened around 4:00 p.m. about two miles north of Exit 7. The crash happened on the inner lanes and left two vehicles overturned and two other vehicles had severe damage.
Robbinsville Township, Bordentown Township, Chesterfield Township, NJ State Police and EMS all responded to mile post 56.3 south bound for a multiple vehicle crash with entrapment. The crash was found on the south bound side of the roadway, a small work type van and an overturned Jeep were in the left shoulder of the inner roadway. An SUV with heavy damage and an overturned pickup truck appeared to both break though the guiderails between the inner and outer roadways. There were no major injuries, and it was unclear if anyone was transported to the hospital.
The crash backed traffic up with a 5-mile delay all the way back to Exit 7A-Robbinsville-I-195.
Earlier this morning around 11:00 a.m. there was a serious truck crash on the right shoulder of the outer roadway.
It was unclear if there were additional vehicles involved in this afternoon’s crash. The New Jersey State Police is investigating the crash.
You can read the earlier story here:
August 16, 2023
UPDATE:
EXPECT TRAFFIC DELAYS SOUTH OF EXIT 7A ROBBINSVILLE TO EXIT 7 BORDENTOWN
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Around 11:00 a.m. Bordentown Township, Robbinsville Township and Westhampton Fire Departments responded to the New Jersey Turnpike, south bound, outer roadway near mile post 55.2 for a serious truck crash. Upon arrival it was reported that a person was trapped inside an overturned dump truck. Firefighters and EMS units remained on scene for quite some time but there was no word of the condition of the injured driver. New Jersey State Police is investigating the crash. Further details to follow when information becomes available.
If traveling south bound, south of Exit 7A to Exit 7 expect traffic delays due to an accident investigation.
June 9, 2023
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–The Bordentown Township Police Department announces the arrest of Christian Stacey, age 18, of Humboldt St. Trenton NJ, and a 17-year-old juvenile from Trenton, NJ in connection with a motor vehicle theft and multiple motor vehicle burglaries in the Tree Street Development thanks to a vigilant resident.
The investigation began on the morning of 6/8/2023 when a resident of Van Drive observed a suspicious person peering into vehicles. This subject then fled on foot upon officers’ arrival. While searching the area, a vehicle reported stolen from Morrisville PA was located by officers occupied by a juvenile male from Trenton NJ. The juvenile was taken into custody, released to a guardian and criminal charges are pending. Multiple unlocked parked vehicles in the area were then determined to have been burglarized and were processed for evidence by Det. Moloney.
A few hours later our department received a report of a vehicle stolen from a Maple Avenue home. This stolen vehicle was then located in Trenton NJ by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department being operated by Stacey. When Stacey was taken into custody, proceeds from the motor vehicle burglaries were located on his person and in the vehicle. Additional evidence was located linking Stacey to the vehicle burglaries in the Tree Street Development. Stacy was then charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of theft, and theft of a motor vehicle before being transported to Burlington County Jail.
The vehicle burglary investigation was conducted by Ptl. Alexander and Det. Moloney and the vehicle theft investigation was undertaken by Ptl. Sanchez and Sgt. Stahl.
Anyone from the Tree Street Development with relevant security footage is asked to forward it to Det. Moloney at mmoloney@bordentowntownshippd.org
We would like to thank the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office – Jack Kemler, Sheriff and Bordentown City Police Department for their instrumental assistance.
We remind residents to lock their vehicle doors at all times and remove all valuables or store them in your vehicle’s trunk.
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
April 10, 2023
Update from the NJ State Police:
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Tpr. II Charles Marchan from the New Jersey State Police Public Information Unit told MidJersey.news that Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash at 5:19 a.m. on the New Jersey Turnpike northbound on the inner roadway milepost 58.8, Hamilton Twp., Mercer County.
Based on a preliminary investigation a Honda passenger car was traveling north on the New Jersey Turnpike in the center lane. A Ford transit van was traveling north in the right lane. In the area of milepost 58.8, the Honda changed lanes from the center lane to the right lane and a collision occurred. As a result of the crash the driver of the Honda, Abdenour Rekik, a 41-year-old of Philadelphia, PA sustained fatal injuries. The driver of the Ford sustained no injuries. The crash remains under investigation and there is no additional information available.
April 10, 2023
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–NJ State Police, Firefighters from Robbinsville and Bordentown Townships as well as EMS responded to mile post 58.8 north bound for a serious crash around 5:41 a.m. It was reported that one person was trapped and unresponsive. The New Jersey State Police is actively investigating the crash. No further details are available at this time.
March 29, 2023
CAMDEN, N.J. – A doctor was sentenced yesterday to 15 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $1.9 million and forfeiture of $54,000 for his role in two separate conspiracies to defrauding New Jersey state health benefits programs and accepting kickbacks in exchange for referring laboratory work. Dr. Daniel Oswari, 51, of Bordentown, New Jersey, pleaded on Dec. 16, 2019, in Camden federal court to two counts of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Travel Act.
Prior press relase from Monday, December 16, 2019:
Doctor and Pharmaceutical Representative Admit Health Care Fraud Conspiracies Targeting State Health Benefits Programs
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Trenton doctor today admitted his role in two separate conspiracies for defrauding New Jersey state health benefits programs and accepting kickbacks in exchange for referring laboratory work, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. A pharmaceutical representative admitted his role in a separate health care fraud conspiracy and to obstructing justice by telling witnesses to lie to the grand jury investigating the scheme.
Dr. Daniel Oswari, 48, of Bordentown, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden federal court to two counts of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud (Count One) and conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Travel Act (Count 23). Mark Bruno, 45, of Northfield, New Jersey, also pleaded guilty before Judge Kugler to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and obstruction of justice.
Oswari was charged in October 2019 along with Steven Monaco, Michael Goldis, and Aaron Jones, and charges remain pending against those three defendants.
According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in court:
Compounded medications are specialty medications mixed by a pharmacist to meet the specific medical needs of an individual patient. Although compounded drugs are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they are properly prescribed when a physician determines that an FDA-approved medication does not meet the health needs of a particular patient, such as if a patient is allergic to a dye or other ingredient.
Between January 2014 and April 2016, Oswari participated in a conspiracy that discovered that certain insurance plans paid for certain prescription compound medications – a including vitamins and pain creams – from a Louisiana pharmacy, identified in the indictment as the “Compounding Pharmacy 1,” and a Pennsylvania pharmacy, identified in the indictment as “Compounding Pharmacy 2.” The conspirators targeted patients with these insurance plans that provided coverage for the compound medications, particularly New Jersey state and local government and education employees. An entity referred to in the indictment as the “Pharmacy Benefits Administrator” provided pharmacy benefit management services for the State Health Benefits Program, which covers qualified state and local government employees, retirees, and eligible dependents, the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program, which covers qualified local education employees, retirees, and eligible dependents, and other insurance plans. The Pharmacy Benefits Administrator paid prescription drug claims and then billed the State of New Jersey or the other insurance plans for the amounts paid.
Oswari and members of his staff tried to persuade patients to receive the prescription compound medications, even if the patients did not have a medical necessity for the medications. Oswari signed printed prescription forms from Compounding Pharmacies 1 and 2 that had pre-selected the highest number of refills to obtain the highest possible insurance reimbursement. Oswari signed some prescriptions without seeing or evaluating the individuals, including for individuals who were not his patients. Oswari signed approximately 285 prescriptions for compounded medications, and the Pharmacy Benefits Administrator paid Compounding Pharmacies 1 and 2 approximately $1.9 million for the prescriptions he signed. In exchange for signing the prescriptions, Oswari received cash kickbacks.
Oswari also pleaded guilty to a separate conspiracy to take kickbacks for referring laboratory work and signing prescriptions. Oswari had a laboratory hire his medical assistant as a phlebotomist. The medical assistant continued to work for Oswari, but laboratory paid her salary for over two years. In return, Oswari referred his blood and urine samples to the laboratory for testing. This lab work was insured by Medicare, New Jersey Medicaid, and other insurance companies.
Bruno worked for a company that marketed compounded medications and received a percentage of the insurance payments. Bruno introduced a doctor to the company and received a percentage of the payments for prescriptions that the doctor wrote. Bruno and others paid the doctor to reward him for signing prescriptions. Bruno recruited individuals covered by New Jersey state insurance plans because he knew that those plans paid thousands of dollars for certain compounded medications. Bruno paid several of these individuals to see his doctor and receive prescriptions for compounded medications. Bruno received $68,872 from the company and caused $524,935 in losses.
Bruno learned in 2018 that the federal grand jury was investigating him. In 2019, two individuals paid by Bruno to receive compounded medications told him that they had received subpoenas to testify in the grand jury, and another two told Bruno that they were contacted by the FBI. Bruno told the first two to lie in the grand jury and deny that he paid them. Bruno told the other two to tell the FBI that he had not paid them.
The health care fraud and wire fraud conspiracy count to which Oswari pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense. The kickbacks conspiracy count to which Oswari also pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The heath care fraud conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges to which Bruno pleaded guilty each carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense.
Sentencing for Oswari is scheduled for March 23, 2020, and sentencing for Bruno is scheduled for March 24, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur in Newark; and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas. He also thanked the Division of Pensions and Financial Transactions in the State Attorney General’s Office, under the direction of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Division Chief Aimee Nason, for its assistance in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. David Walk Jr. and Christina O. Hud of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment against Monaco, Goldis, and Jones are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
March 29, 2023
MAYS LANDING, NJ – Raul Virella, 30, of Bordentown, NJ, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 to second-degree aggravated assault, in exchange for a seven-year term in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning that he must serve 85% of that sentence before he is eligible for parole.
On February 8, 2022, Officer D. Fabrizio of the Galloway Township Police Department, responded to an altercation in the area of Federal Court in Galloway. Investigating officers made contact with a victim suffering from severe stab wounds. The victim was transported to the hospital where he underwent lifesaving emergency surgery.
Defendant, Raul Virella, was placed under arrest nearby. During a statement to law enforcement, Defendant admitted to stabbing the victim.
Sentencing will be on May 9, 2023, before the Honorable W. Todd Miller, J.S.C. Assistant Prosecutor David Little represents the state in this matter.
Raul Virella, 30, of Bordentown, NJ,
January 6, 2023
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Police say that on the morning of December 7, 2022 Bordentown Township Officers responded to the Bordentown Regional School District’s school bus depot located on Dunns Mill Rd. for a report of catalytic converters that had been stolen overnight from five (5) school busses.
These items were altogether valued at $13,084 and a subsequent investigation undertaken by Det. Moloney led to criminal charges of criminal conspiracy, burglary, theft and criminal mischief being filed on January 4, 2023 against the below subjects for this incident:
Markel Davis, age – 25, Lakeshore Dr. Camden NJ 08104.
Khalil Davis, age – 23, Saunders St. Camden NJ 08105.
Catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed across the nation because these items contain several types of recyclable materials that can be scrapped for a quick profit. Our Police Department has focused a lot of attention on this crime trend and cleared nine (9) incidents of catalytic converter thefts in 2022 with arrests.
What can you do to prevent this type of theft?
* Park your car in a garage or well-lit area.
* Install security cameras in the area where you normally park.
* Adjust the alarm on your vehicle to activate from vibrations. Thieves use a saw to cut out the catalytic converter so those vibrations would activate the alarm.
*Engrave your VIN number onto your catalytic converter to make it easier to identify in case it does get stolen.
*Install a catalytic converter specific security device.
*Report suspicious activity. It only takes minutes for a thief to remove a catalytic converter.
All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
File photos from the raid in North Hanover Burlington County on November 2, 2022 Catalytic Converter theft is a national problem due to the high value precious metals they contain.
November 22, 2022
BORDENTOWN, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Demolition has started on the old grain silos along Route 130 South in Bordentown Township. The silos were used years ago by Agway where grain was processed and stored then shipped out on the historic Camden Amboy Railroad.
According to documents available from the Township website the area will be part of an Affordable Housing District of the Team Campus. The project is part of the Agway (Growmark)/Yates Redevelopment Plan.
Visit the Team Campus website here
The plan for Team Campus contains 351 apartments, 40,000 square feet of apartment amenities, 170,000 square feet of office and retail space and a 140,000 square foot health club in a mixed-use planned development.
According to the Team Campus Website project is Wellness Community Living and states “If home is where the heart is, it stands to reason that it should be healthy and happy. Welcome Home! Team Campus offers luxurious living through thoughtfully appointed apartments centered in a carefully constructed community comprised of everything needed to Live Work Play and Thrive.”
Bordentown Agway back in its heyday. © Bruzek, Wayne
Agway grain silos being torn down on 11/22/2022
November 19, 2022
BORDENTOWN, NJ (BURLINGTON)–This afternoon at 1:00 p.m. the Happy Head Smoke Shop and Glass Gallery opened for business at 178 Route 130 in Bordentown. TikTok Star, Sally Slices of Marcellos Pizza Grill in Hamilton, provided a pizza party and a pizza eating contest of 420 infused pizza. DJ Nebbs Entertainment provided the hits to keep the party rolling.
The Happy Head Smoke Shop contains a high-end glass gallery of various works of art, which is incredibly unique to the area. Even cannabis connoisseurs would be impressed with the amount and quality of the glass contained in the gallery.
Besides glass and other items, the shop also stocks CBD edibles.
If you are looking to take your smoking collection to the next level check out Happy Head Smoke Shop in Bordentown, New Jersey
Samples of some of the glass artwork that you will find in the glass gallery. Some of the high-end glass art is one of a kind depending on the artist.
According to statistics provided by the Union, Robbinsville, Bordentown and Allentown covered Hamilton Township 1,056 times over the past two years for calls in Hamilton. The statistics provided did not include additional mutual aid EMS services from Trenton, Lawrence and West Windsor that also provide mutual aid to Hamilton so the number could be higher.
October 30, 2022
BORDENTOWN, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 3091 says that on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, Union Officials met with Bordentown Township Administrator Michael Theokas and was advised that the City and Township are looking into privatizing EMS Services for the residents and visitors of Bordentown Township, Bordentown City and Fieldsboro.
The Union states that Bordentown Township requested Bids for EMS Coverage for 2022-2025 due by September 29, 2022. Just 1 year after PERC Awarded Burlington County Firefighters Association IAFF Local 3091 to be the exclusive bargaining agent for all full time and part time EMT’s, and 5 months after we signed the 1st Collective Bargained Agreement with the Township.
Now they’re looking to layoff 6 Full Time employees and 10 Part Time employees after serving faithfully during the entire COVID Pandemic and accept the only bid they received from RWJ Barnanbas Health.
RWJ provides EMS services to Hamilton Township and shortfalls on answering their call volume, which requires Mutual Aid to respond for the overflow.
Mutual Aid sent into Hamilton (RWJ) to handle calls:
In 2021 mutual aid was sent to Hamilton 507 times from Robbinsville 420, Bordentown. 57, Allentown. 30.
So far in 2022 mutual aid was sent to Hamilton 549 times with over two months to go in 2022 since statistics were collected. Robbinsville 411, Bordentown 97, Allentown 41
**The statistics included did not list TEMS – Trenton Emergency Medical Services, Lawrence Township, and West Windsor Emergency Services who also provide additional mutual aid into Hamilton Township.
The Union says that if RWJ is awarded the contract to cover Bordentown, we can estimate the amount of mutual aid calls will grossly increase into Hamilton Township, leaving our residents and visitors without proper coverage.
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–The Bordentown Township Police is seeking the public’s assistance with identifying a suspect wanted for an assault.
On Thursday, August 11th, a white male suspect described as being in his mid-20’s with a scruffy appearance committed an alleged assault in the parking lot of the Acme Commons located on Dunns Mill Rd. in Bordentown Township. This male was operating a white Acura TL and was accompanied by a white female with blonde hair believed to be in her early 20’s.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ptl. Hess of the BTPD at 609-298-4300, ext. 2201, or via email at ehess@bordentowntownshippd.org
Anonymous tips are welcome and will be kept confidential.
August 16, 2022
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP (BURLINGTON) – HAMILTON TOWNSHIP (MERCER)–Two separate fiery truck crashes involving multiple trucks sent firefighters from Burlington, Mercer and Monmouth to the two scenes on the New Jersey Turnpike between Exit 7A and Exit 7 this morning. Firefighters were sent from Bordentown Township, Robbinsville Township, Hamilton Township, Allentown-Upper Freehold – Hope Fire Company, and Chesterfield-Crosswicks.
Sgt. Philip Curry from the New Jersey State Police, Public Information Unit told MidJersey.News the first crash was at 9:48 a.m. a dump truck was involved in a crash on the NJ Turnpike southbound on the inner roadway at Mile Post 55.6 in Chesterfield. As a result of the crash, the dump truck became fully engulfed. The occupants of the truck were able to exit and did not report any injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The second crash occurred at 11:17 a.m. on the NJ Turnpike at Mile Post 59.3 on the southbound outer roadway in Hamilton Township. Two tractor trailers and a box truck were involved in a crash causing one of the tractor trailers and the box truck to become fully engulfed. The occupants of the trucks were able to exit and did not report any injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Google Maps had delays of up to 5 miles going south bound south of Exit 7A.
Photos from the fiery Chesterfield crash on the NJ Turnpike:
Photos from the fiery truck crash on the NJ Turnpike in Hamilton Township:
July 21, 2022
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, woman was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for her role in a GoFundMe scam that gained nationwide attention, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Katelyn McClure, 32, of Bordentown, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle to an information charging her with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In November 2017, McClure and Mark D’Amico, 43, allegedly created a crowd-source funding page on GoFundMe’s website titled “Paying It Forward.” The campaign solicited donations from the public purportedly for the benefit of a homeless veteran, Johnny Bobbitt, 39, of Philadelphia. McClure and D’Amico posted a story that McClure was driving home from Philadelphia on Interstate 95 and ran out of gas. Bobbitt acted as a “good Samaritan” and rescued McClure by using his last $20 to buy gasoline for her. The website stated that funds were being solicited to get Bobbitt off the streets and provide him with living expenses, setting a goal of $10,000.
In reality, McClure never ran out of gas and Bobbitt never spent his last $20 for her. D’Amico and McClure allegedly conspired to create the false story to obtain money from donors. The story was quickly picked up by local and national media outlets and went viral and raised approximately $400,000 from more than 14,000 donors in less than three weeks.
The donated funds were transferred by D’Amico and McClure from GoFundMe into accounts that they controlled. The majority of the money allegedly was quickly spent by D’Amico and McClure on personal expenses over the next three months.
In mid-November of 2017, when the donations had reached approximately $1,500, D’Amico and McClure told Bobbitt about the campaign and the false gas story. In December of 2017, after setting up a bank account for Bobbitt, D’Amico and McClure deposited $25,000 of proceeds of the scheme into Bobbitt’s account.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Hillman sentenced McClure to three years of supervised release and ordered her to pay $400,000 in restitution. D’Amico previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in April 2022 to 27 months in prison; Bobbitt pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited assistant prosecutors and detectives of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Lachia L. Bradshaw; officers of the Florence Township Police Department; special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of 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 today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the Criminal Division in Camden.
22-276
Defense counsel: James J. Gerrow Jr. Esq., Hainesport, New Jersey
Related story:
July 12, 2022
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON) – A state grand jury has voted not to file any criminal charges at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding the death of Keron Roundtree, 23, of Trenton, New Jersey, who was injured in a crash as he accelerated away from Bordentown Township Police Officer Keith Alexander after an attempted traffic stop on October 27, 2020. Mr. Roundtree succumbed to those injuries on November 17, 2020, at which time the investigation transferred from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office to the Attorney General’s Office, pursuant to P.L. 2019, c.1.
The fatal police encounter was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to New Jersey residents called to serve on the grand jury in accordance with Directive 2019-4, the “Independent Prosecutor Directive” issued in 2019. In July 2021, OPIA issued standard operating procedures (“SOPs”) to ensure that these grand jury presentations are conducted in a neutral, objective manner, and with appropriate transparency regarding the process, consistent with the Independent Prosecutor Directive.
The investigation included interviews of witnesses, collection of forensic evidence, review of video footage and autopsy results from the medical examiner. After hearing testimony and evidence from the investigation, the grand jury concluded its deliberations yesterday July 11, and voted “no bill,” meaning the grand jury concluded that no criminal charges should be filed against the officer involved in the fatal encounter.
According to the investigation, on the night of October 27, 2020, Officer Alexander was on patrol on Route 206 Southbound in Bordentown in a marked police vehicle when he saw a Nissan Maxima traveling southbound in the left lane brake abruptly. The car, which was driven by Mr. Roundtree, resumed traveling southbound. While stopped at a traffic light, Officer Alexander observed the Maxima’s temporary Pennsylvania license plate and suspected it was fictitious. Officer Alexander then followed Mr. Roundtree and observed him commit several motor vehicle infractions, including an illegal U-turn.
At approximately 8:51 p.m., about two minutes after he began following the Maxima, Officer Alexander activated his overhead lights and siren to make a motor vehicle stop. At that point, Mr. Roundtree failed to obey a stop sign and sped off down Route 206 South, traveling at speeds that reached in excess of 100 mph. Approximately one minute later, and without coming into contact with another car, Mr. Roundtree drove onto the shoulder of the highway to maneuver around other cars, swerved back onto the road, lost control of the car, and crashed into the woods by the side of Route 206. The car traveled into and out of the woods, coming to rest on the right shoulder of Route 206 Southbound.
Officer Alexander exited his vehicle and located the Maxima, which was heavily damaged. Both Mr. Roundtree and an adult male passenger were stuck inside. Two bystanders assisted Officer Alexander in removing and rendering aid to both. Once ambulances arrived, the occupants of the Maxima were transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, N.J. Mr. Roundtree remained in the hospital until life support was removed on November 17, 2020, when he was pronounced deceased. The passenger was admitted for treatment and released approximately one week later.
The investigation later revealed that the Maxima had been stolen from an apartment complex in Philadelphia, and the temporary license plate on the car had been forged.
A 2019 law, P.L. 2019, c. 1, requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.
A conflicts check was conducted pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and no actual or potential conflict of interest was found involving any individual assigned to the investigation. Prior to presentation to the grand jury, the investigation was reviewed by OPIA Executive Director Thomas Eicher in accordance with the policies and procedures established for these presentations in the SOPs.
At the conclusion of these investigations, pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and SOPs, OPIA determines whether any principal should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for administrative review in accordance with the AG’s Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures. OPIA monitors any resulting review and takes such actions as are necessary to ensure that the review is completed in a timely fashion, and that appropriate actions are taken based on the results of the review.
Further information about how fatal police encounters are investigated in New Jersey under the directive is found at this link:
http://www.nj.gov/oag/independent-prosecutor/
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