Category: Medford

Cheer Coach Charged With Allegedly Assaulting Minors Who He Coached

March 31, 2023

MEDFORD, NJ (BURLINGTON)–The New Jersey State Police have charged Jonathan P. Ryker, 25, of Hammonton, N.J., with sexual assault for allegedly assaulting minors who he coached at Rockstar Cheer in Southampton, N.J.

In August 2022, detectives from Troop “C” Criminal Investigation Office, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Medford Township Police Department began investigating explicit content that was sent from Jonathan P. Ryker to a minor via social media. During the 8-month investigation, detectives were able to identify another victim of Ryker who was also a student at Rockstar Cheer.

Ryker was additionally charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and aggravated criminal sexual contact. Ryker was lodged in Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing.

If you or anyone you know may have been a victim please contact the New Jersey State Police Red Lion Station at 609-859-2282. Anonymous tips are welcomed.

Charges are mere accusations, and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty


Medford Man Charged With Murdering Wife, Medical Examiner Concludes Homicide Due To Compression Of Victim’s Neck

March 30, 2023

MEDFORD, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Medford Township Police Chief Arthur E. Waterman announced that a Medford Township man has been charged with killing his wife in their Regent Court home last week.

Babu Natarajan, 40, was charged with Murder (First Degree). He was taken into custody yesterday at his residence and lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.

The case will be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.

The investigation began on the afternoon of March 21, when officers from the Medford Township Police Department were called to the residence for a report of an unconscious and unresponsive female adult.

Upon arrival, they found the body of Angammal Babu, 41, on the bed in the upstairs master bedroom. The 911 call was placed by the defendant, who indicated to responding officers that his wife had taken a nap because she was tired.

An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood concluded that the manner of death was homicide, and the cause of death was due to compression of the victim’s neck.

The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Medford Township Police Department. The lead investigators are BCPO Detective Al-Jerome Burnett-Crawford, BCPO Detective Melyssa Alonso, MTPD Detective Sergeant Jeff Samalonis and MTPD Detective Mark Hunsinger.

Natarajan will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Bob Van Gilst, supervisor of the BCPO the Major Crimes Unit.

All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.


Babu Natarajan, 40, was charged with Murder (First Degree). He was taken into custody yesterday at his residence and lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.


Carjacking Reported At Medford WaWa On Route 70

October 26, 2022

MEDFORD, NJ (BURLINGTON)–On October 22, 2022, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Medford Township Police Department responded to a report of a stolen motor vehicle at the Wawa (257 Rt 70, Medford NJ). The three suspects, dressed in dark clothing, approached the victim while she was waiting at the air pump in the rear of the building. One of the three male suspects, described to be approximately 140 pounds in his late teens to early twenties, physically removed the victim from her vehicle, leaving the victim uninjured and was later observed operating her 2015 Black Nissan Rogue towards Eayrestown Road.  Security video obtained of the incident showed the three suspects exit the parking lot with no additional victims reported.  This incident is currently being investigated by multiple Law Enforcement agencies.  Please contact the Medford Township Police Department if you have any additional information.