Category: Ewing

Ewing Man Found Guilty of June 2020 Murder

June 29, 2023

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) – A Ewing Township man was found guilty by a Mercer County jury for the 2020 death of his girlfriend, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today.

Aaron Adams, 41, was found guilty of murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

The conviction was the result of an investigation led by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Ewing Police Department.  At approximately 6:30 p.m. on June 1, 2020, Ewing police were alerted to a deceased female in a home on Glen Stewart Drive.  Upon arrival, they located the victim, identified as Ashley Davis, 32, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, in the basement.  There were visible wounds to Ms. Davis’ body and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the execution of a search warrant at the home, two air rifles and a handheld BB gun were located in the same room as the victim’s body.  Numerous used bags of suspected heroin with various stamps were also discovered during the search.  The victim’s boyfriend, Aaron Adams, resided at the Glen Stewart home, and was charged with a weapons offense.

Following an autopsy, Ms. Davis’ death was ruled a homicide.  Investigation revealed she suffered a gunshot wound by a metal air gun pellet that struck internal organs and caused massive internal bleeding.

Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor John P. Boyle Jr. represented the state during the three-week trial before Mercer County Superior Court Peter E. Warshaw.  The defendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Jessica Lyons and Assistant Deputy Public Defender Deirdre Smith.

Adams faces a maximum sentence of life in prison when he is sentenced on February 1, 2024.




Aaron Adams, 41, was found guilty of murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Adams faces a maximum sentence of life in prison when he is sentenced on February 1, 2024.


Police Identify Ewing Man as Motorcyclist Killed in Parkway Avenue Crash

November 25, 2023 updated November 27, 2023

EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)—Ewing Township Police reported that on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 4:54 p.m., Ewing Police Officer Austin Woolverton came upon a serious motor vehicle crash involving two vehicles, one of which was a motorcycle, in the area of Parkway Avenue at Walter Street. The driver of the motorcycle Theodore Condo, 57 of Ewing, NJ was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team responded to assist with the investigation. Parkway Avenue was shut down between Lower Ferry Road and Scotch Road. The investigation into the crash is active and ongoing. Anyone with information concerning the crash is asked to contact Officer Abdelbasset Jibbou at (609) 882-1313. No additional information is available at this time.




Driver Injured In Ewing Township Crash

November 19, 2023

Photos and story by: Michael Ratcliffe

EWING (Mercer) – A single-vehicle crash left the driver hurt and a utility pole snapped in half this afternoon (Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023). Ewing Township police, firefighters and EMS personnel were dispatched to the 500 block of Grand Avenue at 12:37 p.m. for a reported overturned vehicle. Emergency crews arrived to find the vehicle resting on its roof in front of the West Trenton branch U.S. Post Office. An adjacent utility pole that had been struck by the vehicle was broken off near its base and left hanging from the overhead wires which it had previously supported. The driver was not trapped but was injured and was transported to hospital via a Ewing EMS ambulance.  Grand Avenue was closed between West Upper Ferry Road and Summit Avenue for a time while a tow truck removed the wreckage and utility workers worked to make the area around the damaged pole safe. The cause of the crash was under investigation by Ewing police.




$40,000 in Heroin Seized by the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force

October 19, 2023

EWING, NJ (MERCER)–A month-long investigation into narcotics distribution in the Mercer County area has culminated with one arrest and the seizure of $40,000 in heroin, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.

On Monday, October 16, 2023, members of the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Ewing, Hamilton and Trenton police, initiated surveillance in the parking lot of the River’s Edge Apartments on Country Lane in Ewing Township based on information received during the investigation.  At approximately 8:30 p.m., officers observed the target of the investigation, Onasis Santos-Estevez, arrive in a red Mitsubishi Outlander.  The driver and Santos-Estevez were detained without incident.  Sgt. Tom Paglione utilized his K-9 partner, Indy, to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle, which resulted in Indy alerting to the scent of narcotics on the rear passenger side door.  A search warrant was executed and, inside of the Outlander, detectives located a blue reusable shopping bag containing approximately 200 bricks of heroin under the front passenger seat.

Santos-Estevez, 47, of Philadephia, PA, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with the intent to distribute.  The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain him pending trial.

According to Prosecutor Onofri, the street value of the confiscated heroin is approximately $40,000.

Despite having been charged, all persons are presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


Santos-Estevez, 47, of Philadephia, PA, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with the intent to distribute.  The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain him pending trial.


Emergency Personnel Respond to Several Calls on Friday the 13th

October 14, 2023

Story by: Michael Ratcliffe

EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–For those who are superstitious, yesterday – Friday the 13th of October, 2023 – more than fulfilled expectations for unfortunate and unlucky happenings in Mercer County.

                At the top of the list of unhappy events that occurred yesterday was a disastrous fire in Ewing that damaged both sides of a duplex, leaving 15 people homeless, and injured at least three people, including a firefighter.

                A hazardous materials incident, multiple traffic accidents, more fires and other emergencies had firefighters, emergency medical personnel and police racing all other the county yesterday.

                The chaos kicked off shortly about 9:10 a.m. when Hopewell Valley emergency personnel were sent to the Kooltronic Inc. facility at 30 Pennington-Hopewell Road for a hazardous materials incident reportedly involving a quantity of mercury that spilled out of a broken barometer. Trenton Fire Department’s HazMat task force was called to the scene to help contain and cleanup the spill.

                At 9:31 a.m. Ewing Township fire companies were dispatched for a reported structure fire on Berwyn Avenue. A column of smoke was visible as firefighters responded. They arrived to find the second floor of one side of a duplex well-involved in fire, with flames spreading to the other side. Mutual aid was called to the scene to help battle the blaze. The fire was not declared under control until 10:28 a.m.

                According to the American Red Cross and fire officials, a total of 15 people (many of these being children) were displaced from the two damaged homes – 317 and 319 Berwyn Avenue. Two residents reportedly suffered smoke inhalation and one firefighter reportedly suffered chest pains. All were cared for by Ewing and Lawrence ambulance crews and the firefighter was transported to hospital accompanied by Capital Health System paramedics. There were also reports that at least one other firefighter was evaluated on the scene by EMS.  

                Ewing fire units that fought the fire included Squad 30, Engine 31, Tower 31 and Engine 33. Mutual aid units on the scene included Engine 10-2 and Truck 10-1 from Hamilton, Rescue 20 and Tower 20 from Lawrence, Engine 50 from Hopewell Township, Engine 51 from Pennington Borough, and Rescue 60 from Princeton. Mercer County Fire Coordinators were on scene assisting command staff.

                With so many Mercer County firefighting resources committed to Berwyn Avenue, firefighters from Burlington and Hunterdon counties were relocated into the area to provide coverage in case there was another fire reported.

                After handling the HazMat incident in Hopewell, Trenton firefighters were enroute back to the city when they came upon a motor vehicle collision at Route 31 and Ingleside Avenue and stopped to render assistance.

                Later in the day, Lawrence Township fire and EMS personnel were sent to the 2800 block of Brunswick Pike where a driver had lost control of her vehicle and crashed into the front wall of a strip mall.

                Structure fires were also reported yesterday in the 1200 block of Nottingham Way in Hamilton, Overbrook Avenue in Trenton and Town Court North in Lawrence. Fortunately, these were all found to not be real fires and just “smoke scares” caused by cooking mishaps or steam from a clothes dryer vent being mistaken for smoke.

                Around the time of the possible fire on Town Court, Lawrence police were also responding to an incident on Princeton Avenue where a woman had allegedly been threatened by a man who claimed he had a gun, although no weapon was actually seen, and Lawrence EMS personnel were responding to a reported cardiac arrest at an address on Trumbull Avenue.

                Then Princeton firefighters were called up into Somerset County to help Montgomery Township fire companies handle a chimney fire on Dutchtown-Harlingen Road. And a short time later, Hopewell Valley fire companies were called out to deal with their own chimney fire at a home on Linden Lane.


Photos by: Brian McCarthy




Ewing Firefighters Extinguish House Fire

September 19, 2023

EWING, NJ (Mercer) – Fire badly damaged a home on Beacon Avenue and sent one resident to the hospital early this morning (Tuesday, Sept. 19).

It was 6:06 a.m. when Ewing Township career firefighters and volunteers from the Prospect Heights and West Trenton volunteer fire companies were dispatched. Smoke was rising into the dawning sky as firefighters responded. They arrived to find flames shooting from the windows of a room on the first floor of 116 Beacon Avenue.

Hoselines were stretched and put to work, a water supply was established from a nearby hydrant, and additional firefighters were called to the scene from Trenton, Hopewell, Pennington and Lawrence. The blaze was declared under control at 6:33 a.m.

One resident, reportedly suffering from minor injuries, was transported by a Trenton ambulance to Capital Health Regional Medical Center.

The cause of the blaze was being investigated by township fire and police officials.

This blaze occurred almost directly across the street where a man was killed in a fire at 113 Beacon Avenue on Jan. 27, 2021.


Police Report Serious Crash In Ewing Township

August 25, 2023

EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing Police reported that on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at approximately 2:52 p.m., Ewing Police officers responded to the area of Federal City Road and Snook Drive for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Responding officers found two vehicles which collided head on.      

There was a total of five occupants among both vehicles and a pedestrian who was injured avoiding the collision. One occupant was trapped in one of the vehicles and had to be extricated by members of the Ewing Fire Department.    

All five of the occupants and the pedestrian were transported to local hospitals, with one of the occupants, a 79-year-old female, suffering from severe injuries and later being flown by medical helicopter to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.      

Information from witnesses is that the driver of one of the vehicles crossed the double yellow line on Federal City Road, striking the other vehicle head on.      

The crash is under investigation by Officer Jon Bag and Detective Tyler Finnerty. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collison Unit responded to assist with the investigation.      

None of the injuries are considered life threatening. No charges have been filed at this time.


File photo

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.



Confirmed: TCNJ Department Of Physics Says House Struck By Stony Chondrite Meteorite

May 11, 2023

EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)– The College of New Jersey’s Department of Physics is pleased to share the following update:

Based on visual examination, density measurements, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, and examination and input from retired meteorite expert Jerry Delaney (Rutgers University/The American Museum of Natural History) we are happy to confirm that the object is a stony chondrite meteorite. It is most likely type LL-6, which means that it is lower in iron than most chondrite meteorites, and has been highly metamorphosed by intense heat even before entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

“Getting the chance to examine the meteorite yesterday was a rare and thrilling opportunity for me, as well as for a group of physics students and professors at TCNJ,” said Nathan Magee, chair of TCNJ’s department of physics. “We are excited to be able to confirm that the object is a true chondrite meteorite, in excellent condition, and one of a very small number of similar witnessed chondrite falls known to science.”

Some additional preliminary facts:

·       The meteorite is likely to be named based on the nearest postal address, thus likely to be officially dubbed the “Titusville, NJ” meteorite

·       Best estimate of landing time is approximately 12:14 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 8, 2023. The home owner confirms that it was still warm when she found it at approximately 12:35 p.m. Several reports of flight-streaks and loud noises appear to agree with the timing estimate

·       The total weight is 984 grams (2.2 lbs), volume approximately 317 cubic centimeters, bulk density of approximately 3.2–3.3 g/cc. That density is in the usual range for chondrite meteorites and significantly greater than most crustal rocks on Earth

·       About 1,100 LL chondrites have ever been found and are known to science; of these, around 100 were witnessed falls (~50 in category LL6)

·       The parent-body asteroid origin of LL chondrites is not yet known precisely, but it is understood that these are objects from the main asteroid belt, with an age of approximately 4.56 billion years (fairly close to formation age of the sun and Earth, and older than any dated rock on Earth (4.0 billion years)

·       Additional measurements could establish mineral composition more precisely, and confirm or perhaps change the preliminary LL chondrite classification

·       Advanced isotopic analysis could be done elsewhere to establish more precise ages of the mineral components and perhaps provide more information on the trajectory and timeline of travel from the asteroid belt toward Earth


Nathan Magee, chair of The College of New Jersey’s Physics Department, examines the “Titusville, NJ” meteorite on May 10, 2023 (photo credit: Anthony DePrimo)

The “Titusville, NJ” meteorite undergoes analysis at The College of New Jersey (photo credit: Anthony DePrimo)



 NJ Public Safety News Alerts


Hopewell Police Department Photos


Trenton-Mercer Airport Holds Required Full Scale Emergency Exercise

May 4, 2023

EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Trenton-Mercer Airport TTN held a full a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required full scale emergency exercise this evening. The required emergency training exercise is required every three years by the FAA and numerous fire departments, emergency medical services and law enforcement participated. The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate the level of preparedness of the First Responders expected to be involved in an actual emergency at TTN. The training allowed professionals of various emergency disciplines the opportunity to train together at a real-life venue. The exercise also provides an opportunity to critique the response procedures of emergency service personnel, as well as provide an opportunity to improve and revise the Airport Emergency Plan, if necessary.

“This exercise goes directly to the most important responsibility of government: the welfare and safety of our residents, our emergency responders, and our airport users,” said Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes.

The airport is part of the Mercer County Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, headed by Deputy Administrator Aaron T. Watson. Director Watson, who will be carefully monitoring the progress of the exercise.

Director Watson said, “The important elements of this exercise include the identification, coordination, and assignment of specific agencies and equipment to specific tasks, the effectiveness of the lines of authority and communication, and the actual mechanics of the response and scene management. Trenton-Mercer Airport has an impeccable safety record, and it is tests such as this that help us achieve success,”

The exercise focuses on a passenger aircraft that has landed at the airport. While on the landing roll, a single-engine Cessna aircraft began taxiing across the active runway, colliding with the commercial aircraft. This collision shears off the main landing gear of the commercial aircraft causing it to slide to a stop and causing a fuel leak.

Along with TTN Administration and TTN ARFF Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Station 34, agencies from every level of government took part in the exercise, including the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, the Mercer County Office of Emergency Management, the Ewing Township Police Department, the Ewing Township Office of Emergency Management, the Hopewell Police Department, the Hopewell Office of Emergency Management, the New Jersey Division of Aeronautics, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Fire Departments, (partial list) –Ewing Township Fire Department- Station 30, Prospect Heights Fire Company-Station 31, West Trenton Fire Company-Station 33, Union-Titusville Fire Company-Station 53, Upper Makefield, PA Washington Crossing,

Emergency Medical Services EMS, (partial list)–Trenton EMS TEMS, Capital Health System EMS, Ewing Township EMS, Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad of Titusville, East Windsor, Robert Wood Johnson Health Network EMS, Lambertville, Kingwood, Princeton, Hightstown, Atlantic City, Martinsville, Gloucester County EMS, Tri-Hampton, North Warren and Waterford Township EMS.

Others: Salvation Army, the Mercer County CERT Team, and countless volunteers. Fire, Rescue, and EMS agencies from outside Mercer County also assisted at the exercise. FirstNet had communications vehicles set up next to the drill site.


Above photos by: Dennis Symons, Jr. MidJersey.news


Above photos by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News


Above photos by: NJ Public Safety News Alerts


Man Charged With First Degree Murder And Weapons Offence In Ewing Township

April 27, 2023

EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor, Angelo J. Onofri announced that on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at approximately 2:17 p.m., Ewing Police Emergency Dispatch received a 911 call regarding someone having been shot at 75 Sussex Street. Ewing Police Officers arrived on scene, located the victim, Dehaven Rogers in the front yard of the residence and safely removed him from danger. The suspect, Amir Williams, date of birth November 11, 1987, was seen in the front right window of the residence. Arriving Ewing Police personnel established a perimeter around 75 Sussex Street with their weapons drawn and began ordering Williams to come out with his hands up. Williams did not initially comply but he eventually exited the front door of the residence, surrendered himself to Ewing Police, and was placed in custody. Ewing Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and transported Rogers to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment where he was later pronounced deceased.

Additional investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force led to Williams being charged with First Degree Murder and Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. He is currently in custody at the Mercer County Corrections Center. The Prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain the defendant pending trial.


PHOTOS BY: BRIAN MCCARTHY ONSCENE NEWS

PHOTOS BY BRIAN MCCARTHY ONSCENE NEWS


Active Police Investigation In Ewing Township

April 26, 2023

EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing Police report that there is an active police investigation on Sussex Street between Louisiana Avenue and Oregon Avenue. There is no threat to the public at this time.

Further details to follow.



PHOTOS BY: BRIAN MCCARTHY ONSCENE NEWS

PHOTOS BY: BRIAN MCCARTHY ONSCENE NEWS


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.




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.


TSA checkpoint at Trenton-Mercer Airport now equipped with new state-of-the-art 3-D checkpoint scanners to improve explosives detection

Officials cut ribbon to recognize the addition of the new security technology units

April 10, 2023

EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Two new state-of-the-art advanced technology computed tomography (CT) scanners that provide 3-D imaging have been installed at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Trenton-Mercer Airport, providing critical explosives detection capabilities for screening carry-on items.

“TSA remains committed to getting the best technology to enhance security and improve the screening experience,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey, shortly before TSA officers cut a bright blue ribbon to commemorate the addition of the new units at the airport. “Our officers’ use of CT technology substantially improves our threat detection capability at the checkpoint. Previously, our screening technology for carry-on bags used 2-D images. The CT technology applies advanced algorithms for the detection of explosives, including liquid explosives and other threat items.”

TSA and airport officials cut a ribbon to celebrate the installation and use of two new CT scanners at the Trenton-Mercer Airport security checkpoint. (TSA photo)


The system applies sophisticated algorithms for the detection of explosives by creating a 3-D image that can be viewed and rotated 360 degrees on three axes for thorough visual image analysis by a transportation security officer. This new technology creates such a clear image of a bag’s contents that the system can automatically detect explosives, including liquids, by shooting hundreds of images with an X-ray camera spinning around the conveyor belt to provide TSA officers with the three-dimensional views of the contents of a carry-on bag.

It takes a few extra seconds for the TSA officer to view the image and rotate it to get a better understanding of its contents, however in most instances, rotating the image allows the TSA officer to identify an item inside the bag and clear it without a need to open it for inspection. Checkpoint CT technology should result in fewer bag checks. However, if a bag requires further screening, a transportation security officer will inspect it to ensure that a threat item is not contained inside.

One of the two new computed tomography units that have recently been installed at Trenton-Mercer Airport. (TSA photo)


A Supervisory TSA officer staffs a new CT X-ray monitor. (TSA photo)