February 20, 2024
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Police say that on Monday, February 19, 2024 at approximately 5:58 a.m. Officers were dispatched to the area of Locust Avenue West on a report of a catalytic converter theft in progress. While speaking with the victim, Officers were advised there was another catalytic converter theft occurring in the 3400 block of South Broad Street. Arriving Officers observed a dark colored sedan exiting the parking lot of Barclay Apartments at a high rate of speed. The Officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle but the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed away from the scene. The Officers terminated the pursuit and last saw the vehicle travelling on Lakeside Boulevard. Shortly after, Officers located a motor vehicle crash between two vehicles in the intersection of Hempstead Road and Arena Drive. One person was seen fleeing on foot from the crash towards Marcia Drive. A foot pursuit ensued and Officers located and arrested one suspect in the backyard of a residence on Shirley Avenue. He was identified as Joel Rodriguez, 31, of the Bronx, NY. Officers were notified by a resident on Marcia Drive that someone was in their backyard. Officers located another suspect behind a shed in the yard. He was identified as Rafael Medina, 31 of the Bronx, NY. Officers also located a third suspect inside the suspect vehicle. He was identified as Renee Gutierrez, 30, of Brooklyn, NY. Inside of the suspect vehicle Officers located approximately twenty catalytic converters and a floor jack. Rodriguez and Medina were transported to Capital Health at Fuld where they were treated for their injuries and released. The driver of the other vehicle was uninjured.
All three suspects were charged with two counts of Theft, two counts of Criminal Mischief, two counts of Possession of Burglars Tools and eighteen counts of Receiving Stolen Property.
Medina and Rodriguez were also charged with Obstructing the Administration of Law and Resisting Arrest. All three were transported and held at the Mercer County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective James Rickey of the Hamilton Police Division Major Crimes Unit at (609) 689-5822 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.
February 20, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported today that an investigation into online child exploitation has resulted in the arrest of two Trenton men and the seizure of cocaine, a 9mm handgun and $10,480 in cash.
In November 2023, detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual in Mercer County was uploading items that portrayed the sexual exploitation or abuse of a child. An investigation was initiated, and Marcus Roberts was identified as a subject.
On Friday, February 16, 2024, members of the Mercer County Tactical Response Team, with assistance from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations Trenton, executed a search warrant at Roberts’ Trenton residence, where detectives seized multiple items of evidentiary value. Roberts, 32, was taken into custody without incident. He is charged with one count of third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Roberts pending trial.
During the search warrant execution, detectives also located approximately 55 grams of cocaine, a loaded, 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a digital scale, and $10,480 in cash in a bedroom belonging to Jared Roberts, Marcus’ brother. Jared Roberts, 36, was also taken into custody and charged with drug and weapons offenses. The Prosecutor’s Office has also filed a motion to detain Jared Roberts pending trial.
Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Prosecutor Onofri urged anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to please contact his Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at (609) 989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at (888) 648-6007.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Marcus Roberts
Jared Roberts
February 20, 2024
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville-Allentown High School Ravens Cooperative Ice Hockey Team won their game against North Hunterdon High School Lions with a final score of 6-0 in the first round of the NJSIAA State Tournament tonight at Mercer County Park. The Ravens will advance to Round 2 on Friday against Ocean to be held at Mercer County Park at 3:30 p.m.
The Raven’s Zach Duggan scored his 100th career point in tonight’s game.
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