October 2023

February 11, 2020

ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Allentown boys basketball team defeated Trenton High School on 72-62 at home tonight.

The male driver was identified as Nicholas Ryland, age 28 of Kuzyk Road, Cream Ridge, NJ. He was charged with eluding, receiving stolen property, speeding, reckless driving, improper passing and driving with a suspended driver’s license. Mr. Ryland is entered as a New Jersey wanted person at this time and anyone with information of his whereabouts is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 732-928-1111 or through the department’s Stop It app.

August 24, 2020

JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–The Jackson Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance to locate a wanted person who was involved in a recent vehicle pursuit in a reported stolen vehicle.

On Friday August 21, 2020 at approximately 5:53 pm, Police Officer Jeff Henba was on patrol on Bowman Road when he observed a 2020 Jeep traveling at 75 miles per hour in the posted 50 mile per hour speed zone. Officer Henba was able to observe the driver of the vehicle as it passed him and turned around to conduct a motor vehicle stop.

After activating the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights, the driver of the Jeep refused to yield and continued driving on Bowman Road and turning right on Toms River Road to head north. A pursuit was initiated as the vehicle continued north on Toms River Road, reaching speeds of 95-100 miles per hour as it was driven recklessly and began passing other vehicles improperly. At this time, the officer’s supervisor terminated the pursuit.

Approximately 5 minutes after the pursuit was terminated, the agency received a call from a resident of the Woodmere Apartments located on West County Line Road reporting that the Jeep had been stolen. As the investigation progressed, officers discovered that a male subject had been stopped in the past while driving a vehicle registered to the caller reporting the Jeep stolen. When Officer Henba was able to observe the male’s photo, he positively identified him as the driver of the Jeep who had fled on him.

Officers then met with Plumsted officers and went to the last known address of the male who was identified as the driver of the Jeep as another officer met with the caller in Jackson who was reporting the vehicle stolen. Family members of the suspect advised that they did not know where the male suspect was as officers were able to locate the Jeep parked on the street a few houses down from the suspect’s residence. Plumsted Police utilized their K-9 officer and the dog tracked from the parked Jeep directly to the suspect’s front door. A search was then conducted to attempt to locate the suspect but he was not at the location. Before clearing from the location, the vehicle was impounded.

Officer Henba then continued the investigation and contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office to get the following charges approved which were prepared on a warrant: eluding (2nd degree) and receiving stolen property (3rd degree).

The male driver was identified as Nicholas Ryland, age 28 of Kuzyk Road, Cream Ridge, NJ. He was charged with eluding, receiving stolen property, speeding, reckless driving, improper passing and driving with a suspended driver’s license.

Mr. Ryland is entered as a New Jersey wanted person at this time and anyone with information of his whereabouts is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 732-928-1111 or through the department’s Stop It app.

– The media and the public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

July 23, 2023

EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–On Saturday July 22, 2023, at 10:41 p.m. both East Windsor Fire Companies, Plainsboro Fire Department and Hightstown Fire Company were dispatched to a home on Berkley Place for a reported fire from a fan in the basement. Upon arrival the fire chief stated that there was a fire in the floor on Division 1 and called for an “all hands” fire sending additional equipment to the scene. Firefighters pulled a hand line from the fire truck and stretched the line inside the dwelling to extinguish the fire. Crews remained on scene for a short time before returning. The residents were allowed to return to their home after the fire was extinguished. No further details are available.

• September 30, 2023 by MidJersey.news Team

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• September 30, 2023 by MidJersey.news Team

  September 30, 2023 FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County Jury has returned convictions against an Asbury Park man who a little… Read more

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January 4, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Striped bass anglers: Effective January 1, 2021, anglers are required to use non-offset (inline) circle hooks when fishing for striped bass with natural bait. A ‘circle hook’ is defined as a non-offset (inline) hook where the point is curved perpendicularly back towards the shank. The term ‘non-offset or inline’ means the point and barb are in the same plane as the shank. All states are required to implement the circle hook requirement by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan. The new requirement is intended to reduce mortality in fish that are caught and released, known as release mortality. Release mortality contributes significantly to overall fishing mortality in the recreational striped bass fishery.

Striped Bass File Photo

June 30, 2023

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Today, after 26 plus years of serving as a police officer, Ptl. Shawn Emmons is retiring. Shawn began his career with the Rutgers Police Department before getting hired by then Washington Township in 1998. Shawn was assigned to the Bike Unit, Traffic Unit, and was a K-9 Officer with K-9 Zilke from 2004 to 2010. In 2020, Shawn was assigned as the School Resource Officer at Pond Road Middle School.

Shawn is a “Cops Cop” and throughout his career he has been involved and assisted with many high-profile cases with the Mercer County Prosecutors Office and Attorney General Office. Shawn served as an Officer in Charge, a Field Training Officer, Humane Law Enforcement Officer and mentor to many of our officers.

We wish Shawn the best of luck as he transitions into his well-earned retirement.

April 21, 2020

TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, announced the following recent enforcement actions related to COVID-19, including those involving individuals in violation of Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders: Assaults and Threats Against Police Officers, EMTs, or Others

• Lettie Carstarphen, 29, an inmate at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, was charged on April 7 with terroristic threats during an emergency (2^nd degree), aggravated assault on an officer (4^th degree), throwing bodily fluid at an officer (4^th degree), risking widespread injury (4^th degree), and endangering (4^th degree).  While at the clinic inside the correctional facility, Carstarphen allegedly intentionally and forcefully coughed and tried to spit at correction officers, stating “I’m going to give you corona and I hope you die.”

• Immanuela Omini, 21, of Sickerville, was charged yesterday, April 20, by the New Jersey State Police with throwing bodily fluid at an officer (4^th degree), obstruction (disorderly persons offense), and resisting arrest (disorderly persons offense).  A state trooper stopped Omini at about 5:30 p.m. for driving recklessly on Sicklerville Road and discovered that she had several outstanding warrants against her.  When Omini refused to get out of her vehicle, the trooper, assisted by officers of the Monroe Township Police Department, had to physically remove Omini from the vehicle.  Omini was placed under arrest on the warrants and for resisting arrest and obstruction.  As she was being placed in a Monroe Township Police vehicle, Omini allegedly spit twice at the trooper, once in her face and once on the chest.

Other Criminal Charges Involving Indictable Offenses

• Paul J. Smith, 44, of Lakehurst, was charged yesterday, April 20, with false public alarm (2^nd degree) and criminal mischief (3^rd degree).  Smith allegedly pulled a fire alarm yesterday at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood.  He also allegedly broke a television, a sink faucet, and an IV pump, causing more than $2,000 in damage.  Hospital staff had to struggle to restrain him.

Other Violations of Executive Orders, Including “Stay at Home” Order, and Ordinances

• Newark Enforcement.  The Newark Police Department’s COVID-19 task force issued 37 summonses for violations of the emergency orders and ordered four non-essential businesses closed in enforcement actions on Sunday and Monday, April 19 and 20.

• Yosef M. Notis, 43, of Lakewood, was charged early this morning by the Lakewood Police Department for violating the emergency orders by giving children permission to open the gym at his school on Oak Street to play basketball. There were eight male youths in the gym.

• Felipe Familia-Lugo, 31, of Dover, was charged yesterday, April 20, by the Dover Police Department with violating the emergency orders for opening his barber shop to cut hair.  Police also charged his brother Jesus Familia-Lugo, 27, of Dover, who was having his hair cut, and Manuel Pandolfo, 33, of Hackettstown, who was also present in the barber shop.  Police investigated when they saw lights on inside the business shortly before 11 p.m. last night.

• Roland Nunez, 49, Saunialt Adams, 29, Warnetta Johnson, 70, and Juan Gnegorie, were charged late Saturday night, April 18, with violating the emergency orders by hosting gatherings outside their apartments at the Mallard Park Apartments in Penns Grove. Borough police responded to a report of altercations among the groups.  Officers dispersed the crowds.

• Jarod Rieth, 21, of Haskell, was charged with violating the emergency orders after the Stanhope Police Department stopped his vehicle on Route 206 on the night of April 16.

• William Hancock, 32, of East Orange, and Roberto St. Juste, 25, of West Orange, were charged on April 17 by the Hampton Police Department with shoplifting (disorderly persons offense) and violating the emergency orders.  Police stopped Hancock and St. Juste for alleged shoplifting and found items stolen from Lowe’s in their vehicle.

• Tyrell Wright, 26, of Washington Township, Warren County, was charged on April 17 with distribution of less than one ounce of marijuana (4^th degree) and violating the emergency orders. Wright allegedly was seen conducting a hand to hand marijuana sale with another individual. 

• Ryan Peterson, 24, of Budd Lake, was charged on April 14 by the Mount Olive Township Police Department with violating the emergency orders for playing on a soccer field.

• Shahiem Alston, 33, Shamir Williams, 26, and Jahmahli Carnegie, 19, all of Paterson, were charged yesterday, April 20, by the Paterson Police Department with violating the emergency orders for gathering in the area of 17th Avenue and East 28th Street without an essential purpose, refusing to disperse, and failing to practice social distancing.

• Miguel Gonzalez, 40, Victor Corota, 50, Alberto Torres, 49, and Jose Montez, 56, all of Paterson, were charged yesterday, April 20, by the Paterson Police Department with violating the emergency orders for gathering in the area of Market and Summer Streets  without an essential purpose and refusing to disperse.

• Clavon Radcliff, 31, Andre Gordon, 32, Jermaine Brown, 32, and Jerome McGraw, 32, all of Paterson, were charged yesterday, April 20, by the Paterson Police Department with violating the emergency orders for gathering  in the area of 10th Avenue and East 26th  Street without an essential purpose, refusing to disperse, and failing to practice social distancing.

 The defendants who were charged strictly with violating the emergency orders or local ordinances and who do not face more serious charges were charged by summons— they were not arrested.  Those cases will be adjudicated in municipal court.  “One month after Governor Murphy issued his emergency orders, we are flattening the curve and saving lives, because the vast majority of our residents are conscientiously obeying the social distancing rules and doing their share to fight COVID-19,” said Attorney General Grewal.  “Unfortunately, there are still those who violate the orders, risking the further spread of this deadly virus.  What is worse, there are some who deliberately threaten our brave police officers, medical personnel, and other essential workers, impeding their vital work.  Our message to violators is that we will hold you accountable, whether it is through a summons for those who violate the social distancing orders, or an arrest on indictable charges for those who deliberately harm or threaten others during this emergency.”    “Although law enforcement and medical professionals are on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19, we are ultimately winning the war because of the extraordinary resolve and fortitude of New Jersey citizens who are doing their part day in and day out, abiding by the executive orders and sacrificing for the greater good,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.  “Those who choose to ignore the law and selfishly place others at risk will face swift law enforcement action.” Violations of the emergency orders constitute a disorderly persons offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.  However, violators can potentially face criminal charges including second, third, and fourth degree indictable offenses. On April 1, Attorney General Grewal announced enhanced charges against six people who were charged with assaulting and threatening law enforcement officers and violating the emergency orders.  Specifically, those enhanced charges included terroristic threats during an emergency, a second-degree offense carrying a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.  Seventeen additional defendants, including Lettie Carstarphen, have been similarly charged since that time for alleged assaults or threats against law enforcement officers, medical personnel, or others. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If you are seeing a lack of compliance with the Governor’s emergency orders in your town, please contact your local police department or report here https://covid19.nj.gov/violation The Attorney General’s Office and New Jersey State Police will continue to work with law enforcement throughout New Jersey to deter non-complaint behavior. No one should take advantage of this pandemic to further their own biased agendas.  COVID-19 is no excuse to promote anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and or other biased stereotypes.  Please report bias crimes at 1-800-277-BIAS.

• New Jersey State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan listens during Governor Phil Murphy’s updates to the media on the State’s response to the coronavirus Friday, April 17, 2020, at the War Memorial in Trenton, NJ.
• Tuesday April 14, 2020 – State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan speaks during Governor Phil Murphy’s coronavirus briefing in the George Washington Ballroom in the Trenton War Memorial.(Pool photo by Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

July 21, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–At 5:19 pm the Hope Fire Company of Allentown and the Robbinsville Township Fire Department were dispatched to a large amount of straw bales on fire. The fire was located at Old York Road between Sharon and Herbert Roads. Due to the amount of bales on fire the Millstone Township Fire Department and the New Jersey Forrest Fire Service also responded with additional equipment. Firefighters had to break apart the flaming bales by hand to extinguish the fire during a heat wave, current temperature is over 90F in NJ.

Old York Road between Sharon Road and Herbert Road was closed during the fire.

Firefighters from Robbinsville, Allentown, Millstone and the New Jersey Forrest Fire Service are on scene of a large amount of bales on fire in a filed off of Old York Road between Sharon and Herbert on July 21, 2020.

October 17, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Yesterday the court ruled to uphold a directive requiring Law Enforcement Agencies to release disciplinary records. Read about the directive in previous article at link below. A link to the court opinion is also provided.

Read MidJersey.News story from June here: AG Grewal Issues Statewide Order Requiring Law Enforcement Agencies to Identify Officers Who Commit Serious Disciplinary Violations

VIEW COURT OPINION

Statement of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal Regarding Today’s Court Ruling Upholding “Major Discipline Directives” Requiring Release of Police Disciplinary Records:

“Today’s decision marks a new day for police transparency and accountability in New Jersey. As I’ve said all along, the vast majority of law enforcement officers do great work and adhere to the high standards we set for them. So when officers fall short, we need to take those infractions seriously and we need to be candid with the public. That’s why I ordered every single law enforcement agency in New Jersey to start publishing information about their officers who commit especially egregious violations by the end of this year. I am grateful that the Court today rejected the legal challenges brought against our efforts. It is time to stop protecting the few to the detriment of the many, and it is time to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.”

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal – NJSP File Photo

April 22, 2020

TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, announced the following recent enforcement actions related to COVID-19, including those involving individuals in violation of Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders: Assaults and Threats Against Police Officers, EMTs, or Others

• Daniel Lurie, 48, of Hampton, N.J., was arrested on April 19 by the New Jersey State Police on charges of terroristic threats during an emergency (2^nd degree), resisting arrest (3rd degree), throwing bodily fluid at an officer (4^th degree), obstruction (4^th degree), and violating the emergency orders.  State troopers were called to Lurie’s residence on a “medical assist” after Lurie called 9-1-1.  When troopers arrived, Lurie was combative.  He allegedly stated he had the coronavirus and spat and coughed on troopers.  He was arrested and taken to the hospital.

Bias Incidents

• Afrim Haxhaj, 30, of Jackson Heights, N.Y., was charged yesterday, April 21, by the Fort Lee Police Department with bias intimidation (4^th degree) and harassment (petty disorderly persons offense).  Haxhaj allegedly confronted a Jewish man in a Dunkin Donuts in Fort Lee on Monday, April 20, and told him to get out, saying Jews are responsible for the coronavirus. He allegedly warned the victim not to return.  When the victim returned to the Dunkin Donuts yesterday, Haxhaj allegedly threatened him again, saying he does not want Jews in his neighborhood and bumping his chest into the victim.  The victim left and called 9-1-1.

Other Criminal Charges Involving Indictable Offenses

• Robert Murphy, 19, of Bayville, N.J., was charged by the Morris Plains Police Department and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office with attempted aggravated sexual assault (2^nd degree), endangering the welfare of a child (3^rd degree), and violating the emergency orders.  Murphy allegedly had arranged to meet an underage girl last night, April 21, at Community Park in Morris Plains for sexual activity.  He had contacted the girl through social media.  The victim’s parents became aware in advance and alerted police, who arrested Murphy when he showed up at the park at about 11 p.m.

• Tyriese J. Reddick, 30, of Gloucester Township, was charged yesterday, April 21, by the Gloucester Township Police with four counts of burglary (3^rd degree) and violating the emergency orders.  Reddick allegedly broke into four vehicles in a neighborhood in Gloucester Township and took money from them.  He also was wanted on warrants in the City of Camden.

Other Violations of Executive Orders, Including “Stay at Home” Order, and Ordinances

• Newark Enforcement.  The Newark Police Department’s COVID-19 task force issued 29 summonses for violations of the emergency orders in enforcement actions yesterday, April 21.

• Michael Masi, 47, of Branchburg, was charged yesterday afternoon, April 21, by the Plainfield Police Department with violating the emergency orders.  Police were called to  Michael Anthony Auto Sales on Richmond Street in Plainfield on a report of a dispute.  When police arrived, they found people in the lot shopping for a car and three customers inside attempting to buy a car.  Masi said he was making “curbside auto sales.”

• Andres Torres, 31, and Jose Nolasco, 51, of Union City, were charged with violating the emergency orders on April 18 by the Union City Police Department.  Torres owns La Roca supermarket on Bergenline Avenue in Union City.  Police conducted a walk-through and found more than 50 people in the grocery store, with customers crowding around certain sections of the store. This had occurred on at least two prior occasions and the business was warned about occupancy limits.  Nolasco is the store manager.

• Shmuel Hirth, 49, Asher Jacobs, 23, Shmuel Weneintraub, 21, Pinchos Sinsky, 19, Shcomo Rosenfeld, 18, Arych Penstien, 22, Yuhuda Bronspigez, 25, and Rivka Jacobs, 47, were charged yesterday by the Lakewood Police and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office with violating the emergency orders.  Police responded to a report of a school that was open in the first block of Drake Road.  Police found a group of male students at the school who had been given permission to study there by the head of the school, Shmuel Hirth.  Rivka Jacobs is the mother of one of the students, who is a juvenile.

• Yakov Makukha, 40, Pinchos Aron, 25, Miriam Aron, 33, Yehudah Aron, 36, Tziporah Aron, 33, Yaakov Wiesner, Peninah Wiesner, 30, Ephraim Aron, 34, and Shmarya Aron, 20, were charged yesterday, April 21, by the Lakewood Police and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office with violating the emergency orders.  Police responded to Read Place on a report of a back yard wedding.  Officers found a van in the driveway occupied by two adults and three children. The driver advised that she was there for family photos for a wedding. In the back yard, there was a photographer, Yakov Makukha, photographing a family of six.  Summonses were issued to all of the adults who were present.

• Alexander Ellinson, 64, of Lakewood, was charged yesterday, April 21, with disorderly conduct.  As the Lakewood Police and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office were investigating a report of a large gathering at a home on 8^th Street, Ellinson, a neighbor, pulled up in his SUV and began yelling at police about their actions at his neighbor’s house.  He continued to yell and nearly struck an officer as he drove away. Police stopped him and issued a summons.

• William Teachen, 59, of Metuchen, was charged yesterday, April 21, by the Metuchen Police with obstruction and violating the emergency orders, both disorderly persons offenses.  An officer found Teachen riding his bicycle along the Middlesex County Greenway, a closed county park, and told him to exit the park.  Teachen allegedly failed to comply and rode away.  After the officer activated his siren and exited his vehicle to request identification, Teachen allegedly tried to ride past the officer, disobeyed commands, and had to be physically removed from his bicycle.  The park entrances are taped off and there are signs indicating the park is closed

• Dajour Clybourn, 23, of Bridgeton, was charged yesterday by the Bridgeton Police with resisting arrest, obstruction, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violating the emergency orders, all disorderly persons offenses.  Police responded to a report that Clybourn was panhandling and harassing another person.  Clybourn ran away when officers arrived.  When police apprehended her, they allegedly found a crack cocaine pipe in her possession.

 The defendants who were charged strictly with violating the emergency orders or local ordinances and who do not face more serious charges were charged by summons— they were not arrested.  Those cases will be adjudicated in municipal court.  “One month after Governor Murphy issued his emergency orders, we are flattening the curve and saving lives, because the vast majority of our residents are conscientiously obeying the social distancing rules and doing their share to fight COVID-19,” said Attorney General Grewal.  “Unfortunately, there are still those who violate the orders, risking the further spread of this deadly virus.  What is worse, there are some who deliberately threaten our brave police officers, medical personnel, and other essential workers, impeding their vital work.  Our message to violators is that we will hold you accountable, whether it is through a summons for those who violate the social distancing orders, or an arrest on indictable charges for those who deliberately harm or threaten others during this emergency.”    “Although law enforcement and medical professionals are on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19, we are ultimately winning the war because of the extraordinary resolve and fortitude of New Jersey citizens who are doing their part day in and day out, abiding by the executive orders and sacrificing for the greater good,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.  “Those who choose to ignore the law and selfishly place others at risk will face swift law enforcement action.” Violations of the emergency orders constitute a disorderly persons offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.  However, violators can potentially face criminal charges including second, third, and fourth degree indictable offenses. On April 1, Attorney General Grewal announced enhanced charges against six people who were charged with assaulting and threatening law enforcement officers and violating the emergency orders.  Specifically, those enhanced charges included making terroristic threats during a state of emergency, which is a second degree offense carrying a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.  Eighteen additional defendants, including Daniel Lurie, have been similarly charged since that time for alleged assaults or threats against law enforcement officers, medical personnel, or others. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If you are seeing a lack of compliance with the Governor’s emergency orders in your town, please contact your local police department or report here https://covid19.nj.gov/violation The Attorney General’s Office and New Jersey State Police will continue to work with law enforcement throughout New Jersey to deter non-complaint behavior. No one should take advantage of this pandemic to further their own biased agendas.  COVID-19 is no excuse to promote anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and or other biased stereotypes.  Please report bias crimes at 1-800-277-BIAS.

• New Jersey State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan listens during Governor Phil Murphy’s updates to the media on the State’s response to the coronavirus Friday, April 17, 2020, at the War Memorial in Trenton, NJ.

Press Pool File Photo by Thomas Costello