LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On August 24, 2022, at approximately 9:02 a.m., the Lawrence Township Police Department received a call from a person walking on the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail (Lawrence Twp.) who indicated that he was shot at by an unknown person. This incident took place adjacent to the footbridge connecting the trail system over Brunswick Pike just north of Bakers Basin Road.
Lawrence Township Police Officers heard the sound of gunfire coming from the same wooded area upon their arrival. Officers observed a male suspect run into a nearby home where he was believed to have barricaded himself. During the initial investigation, multiple spent shell casings were located.
Subsequent to the investigation, several search warrants were executed in the 3000 block of Brunswick Pike.
BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean Ice Palace & Ocean Hockey Supply will be closing their doors after almost 60 years in business at the end of the month. The rink has brought many memories over the last 60 years and had a classic look with its Quonset hut style shaped roof.
According to the Ocean Ice Palace, Dr. Leon J. Dwulet built the Ocean Ice Palace in 1962. His vision was to provide skating and hockey development opportunities for the youth of Ocean and Monmouth Counties. The Dwulet family has operated the Ocean Ice Palace and Ocean Hockey Supply continuously for the last 59 years, and it is currently owned by Dr Dwulet’s daughter and managed by her daughter & son-in Law, Andrew & Raven Barten.
Ocean Ice Palace Facebook Post:
After almost 60 years of Family Owned & Operated business’ Ocean Ice Palace & Ocean Hockey Supply will be closing their doors at the end of this month. We are extremely thankful to all the friends who have become family and customers who have become friends over the years. The decision was not made lightly and certainly not without being given much thought. We will continue to run all programs and camps as scheduled through the end of this month and our shop will remain open until then. We welcome you to visit @OceanHockey and pick up some new gear before your season- shop starts at 40% off the entire store.
Photos from Ocean Ice Palace Facebook, Twitter and Website
Robbinsville at Brick on March 3, 2011 at Ocean Ice Palace in Brick Township, NJ in a NJSIAA Playoff Game. File photo. (Note Robbinsville #19 is Robbie Colton, Ross Colton’s brother who is currently in the Stanley Cup Playoffs playing for Tampa Bay Lightning)
Steinert at Brick at the Ocean Ice Palace in Brick Township on March 1, 2010 in a NJSIAA Playoff Game. File Photo
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–On January 20, 2019 a resident of Thorntown Lane reported that their Honda dirt bike had been stolen from an unlocked shed located on their property in the early morning hours. A subsequent investigation determined that Yahmir Robinson, age – 21, of Parkway Ave. Trenton, NJ was responsible for the theft and he was criminally charged on June 7, 2021. The dirt bike was later recovered in Woodbridge Township and returned to its owner.
On September 25, 2019 our department fielded several reports of unlocked vehicles that were entered overnight in the Georgetown Estates neighborhood along with the burglary of a garage which resulted in the theft of three (3) Yamaha motorcycles. That investigation concluded that Yamire Vaught, age 22, of Langemoore Dr. in Trenton, NJ, Jahid Whitmore, age – 21, of Spring Street in Trenton, NJ, and Jaquan Tillery, age – 22, of Rider Ave. Trenton NJ, were responsible for these thefts and each was charged with multiple counts of burglary, theft and criminal mischief on June 23, 2021. Two (2) of the three (3) motorcycles stolen in this incident have since been recovered by police.
Dsgt. Pavlov was the lead investigator in these cases and determined that the victims were targeted after posting their dirt bikes for sale on popular trading platforms such as LetGo, OfferUP and Facebook Marketplace.
All four (4) suspects of these incidents were charged on summons complaints and released pending future court action in Burlington County Superior Court.
Bordentown Township Police Chief Pesce provides the following remarks regarding these incidents:
“Our department reminds sellers who use online trading platforms to never give a buyer their personal address and to instead utilize safe transaction zones such as the one we previously established at our police department. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend Dsgt. Pavlov for the excellent police work he conducted in these cases which involved a great deal of technical follow up. Dsgt. Pavlov leads a unit of skilled and relentless investigators who leave no stone unturned when crimes are perpetrated upon residents of Bordentown Township.”
More information on the BTPD’s safe transaction zone can be found here:
Attorneys Bhaveen R. Jani and Max L. Schatzow elevated to shareholders
July 13, 2021
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Stark & Stark announced that Bhaveen R. Jani and Max L. Schatzow have been elected as shareholders of the firm.
“Stark & Stark is very proud of our new 2021 shareholders,” said Managing Shareholder Michael Donahue of Stark & Stark. “Bhaveen and Max are leaders in their practice areas and communities, and I have no doubt that their expertise and dedication will serve our clients well for years to come.”
Bhaveen Jani, Esq., a resident of Flemington, is a trial attorney in the Accident & Personal Injury Group at Stark & Stark. He focuses his practice in the areas of motor vehicle and tractor-trailer crashes which result in catastrophic injuries, construction accidents, and premises liability matters. Mr. Jani, who joined the firm in 2018, appears frequently in federal, state, and appellate courts in New Jersey.
Max Schatzow, Esq., who joined Stark & Stark in 2013 and resides in Robbinsville, is a member of the firm’s Investment Management & Securities Group. Mr. Schatzow concentrates his practice on counseling financial service entities including investment advisers, broker-dealers, and private investment companies (e.g., hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate funds, and “fund of funds”) on registration, compliance, liability, and litigation issues.
LAKEWOOD, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on April 30, 2021, the Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, P.J.Cr.P., ordered that Stanley Williams, 25, of Lakewood, shall remain detained in the Ocean County Jail pending trial on two counts of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), relative to an incident that occurred in Lakewood Township during the evening hours of April 17, 2021, into the early morning hours of April 18, 2021. Williams has also been charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(5)(a); Possession of a Weapon, specifically a knife, for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; and Possession of a Weapon, specifically a BB gun, for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1).
On April 17, 2021, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Lakewood Township Police Officers responded to a residence on Lisa Robyn Circle relative to an alleged disturbance. As responding Officers were attempting to make contact with Williams at the residence, he allegedly attacked the Officers with a knife, wounding both Officers about the head and face. Williams then allegedly barricaded himself in the residence. After all efforts to effectuate Williams’ peaceful surrender were exhausted, the Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team – with assistance from the Ocean County Regional SWAT team – made a tactical entry into the residence at approximately 2:30 a.m. on April 18, 2021. As Officers made entry into the residence, Williams allegedly discharged a BB gun in the Officers’ direction, striking one of the Officers. The Officers in question were treated for their injuries, which were determined to be non-life-threatening.
Williams was ultimately taken into custody, and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his arrest on April 18, 2021. The detention hearing was handled by Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Esler.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, and the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, for the outstanding professionalism and restraint they collectively exhibited in conducting this investigation and taking Williams into custody.
The press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related MidJersey.news coverage here:
Lakewood Barricaded Man That Reportedly Attacked And Injured 2 Police Officers In Custody
UPDATE: Barricaded Man Charged With Attempted Murder On 2 Police Officers And Other Offences In 8 Hour Lakewood Standoff Last Night
Photos and video by: Ryan Mack, Jersey Shore Fire Response
JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–The cool and rainy weather did not stop participants from coming out on Thanksgiving morning to support the Turkey Trot 5K race, which benefits the Marc Castellano Foundation. Troopers were joined by local police and members of the community to help raise money for the foundation.
The Marc Castellano Foundation is a non-profit charity organization, which raises money for student scholarships, law enforcement families in need, the Move Over campaign, and other great causes. The foundation was named in honor of fallen Trooper Marc Castellano, who was killed in the line of duty on June 6, 2010 after being struck by a car. Thank you to everyone that came out to help support a great cause!
Related MidJersey.News stories here on Trooper Marc Castellano and recent Slow Down Move Over incidents.
NJSP Troop “C” Hamilton, 10th Anniversary Of When Trooper Was Struck By Passing Motorist On I-195
Slow Down, Move Over! National Move Over Day
Another Close Call On NJ’s Highways – This Time At Howell Township Crash Scene, Slow Down, Move Over, It’s The Law
BREAKING: NJ State Police Vehicle Struck On NJ Turnpike Sending 1 To Hospital
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP (MERCER)– Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughesannounced that the bridge on Church Street over Doctors Creek in Hamilton Township was reopened to the motoring public this afternoon under budget.
The Mercer County Department of Transportation and Infrastructure began the rehabilitation of the bridge in March 2020. Officially known as Bridge No. 672.2 on Church Street, the structure traverses Doctors Creek in the Groveville neighborhood of Hamilton Township.
The old bridge carrying Church Street over Doctors Creek was a concrete-encased steel stringer bridge. The structure was considered structurally deficient due to poor condition of the substructure.
The reconstructed bridge consists of a reinforced concrete substructure on top of steel piles. The superstructure consists of steel stringers and a composite concrete deck with a protective deck overlay. The structure supports a 32-foot-wide cart way and two 5-foot-wide sidewalks. The reinforced concrete railings aesthetically mimic the craftsmanship of the original structure built in 1929. The cross section at the bridge consists of two 12-foot travel lanes and two 4-foot shoulders.
Marbro Inc. of Montclair was the successful low bidder at $4,921,117. The contract was awarded in February 2020 and work commenced in March 2020.
September 16, 2019, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ– The Robbinsville Township Fire Department and Bordentown Township Fire Departments responded to a vehicle fire today on the New Jersey Turnpike in the area of Exit 7A. The vehicle was quickly extinguished and the occupant was treated for minor injuries on scene. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/fsZ7G5DiSO4
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on November 30, 2020, John T. Mullen, Jr., 51, of Seaside Heights, was sentenced to twenty-two years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C., as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Manslaughter in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-4. This sentence is subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2., meaning that Mullen will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Mullen pled guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter before Judge Ryan on September 23, 2020.
On October 20, 2019, Manchester Township Police responded to the Surf and Stream Campground after receiving multiple 911 calls about a body lying in the entrance driveway to the campground. Upon arrival, Manchester patrol units found the body of Thomas J. Applegate, 34, of Manchester, lying in the driveway of the Surf and Stream Campground with a wound in his chest. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. A joint investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Manchester Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that Mullen stabbed Mr. Applegate during the course of a drug deal, which ultimately resulted in his death.
“The law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation – through sheer hard work and resolve – swiftly identified Mullen as the individual responsible for Mr. Applegate’s death and quickly brought him into custody,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “The exceptional teamwork displayed by these law enforcement professionals has brought about a lengthy state prison sentence for Mullen, which may, as Judge Ryan pointed out, effectively result in a life sentence given this defendant’s age and longstanding history of substance abuse,” Prosecutor Billhimer continued. “We hope this sentence affords the family of Mr. Applegate some level of peace and closure,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the diligence of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco and Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa Mandara who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, who collectively did an outstanding job investigating and resolving this matter, ensuring that Mullen would be brought to justice.
Related MidJersey.News story here: Seaside Heights Man Pleads Guilty To Aggravated Manslaughter
John T. Mullen, Jr., 51, of Seaside Heights
John T. Mullen, Jr., 51, of Seaside Heights, was sentenced to twenty-two years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, J.S.C., as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Aggravated Manslaughter
September 20, 2019, UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — Good weather and lighting conditions are making for some great views of the International Space Station as it streaks across the sky just after sunset each evening in late September. These images were captured with a 600mm lens for the close up and a 15mm wide angle lens for the streak photo. The space station can be seen on certain nights with clear skies in the entire New Jersey area and beyond.
Stanley Williams, 25, of Lakewood
John T. Mullen, Jr., 51, of Seaside Heights