July 30, 2021
PEMBERTON, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Pemberton Township drug dealer has been indicted for causing the death of a Pemberton Township woman who fatally overdosed two years ago on fentanyl she purchased from him.
A grand jury charged Antoine Crawley, 35, from the Sunbury Village section of the township, with Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute (Third Degree) and Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree).
The indictment was returned June 24 and signed by Prosecutor Coffina. Crawley pled not guilty during an arraignment in Superior Court earlier this week. He is presently lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly awaiting trial.
Crawley’s co-defendant, Danielle Knight, 42, of Wrightstown, has pled guilty to Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree) and is awaiting sentencing. She has been released on her own recognizance.
The investigation began on August 19, 2019, after Brittney Wallace, 27, was found unconscious and unresponsive by her parents in the bathroom at the family’s residence. She was taken to Capital Health at Deborah – Emergency Services, where she was later pronounced dead.
An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood determined that Wallace died of fentanyl toxicity. The fentanyl level in her system was more than five times the lethal dose. The investigation revealed that Knight instructed Crawley to deliver drugs to Wallace at her residence.
Crawley was also indicted last month in a separate case with two co-defendants on drug possession charges stemming from an incident where an officer found heroin and cocaine in their vehicle during a traffic stop early last year in New Hanover Township.
Crawley and Knight are being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jeremy Lackey. The case was investigated by detectives from the Pemberton Township Police Department, with assistance from the Prosecutor’s Office Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force and K-9 Officer Ringo from the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department. The lead investigator is Pemberton Township Detective Joshua Danka.
An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
July 30, 2021
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A former Holmdel Township man was found guilty by a Monmouth County jury after a 5-week trial relating to an arson and firing a weapon into a township business, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey.
Leonard J. Mazzarisi, III, 32, formerly of Burgundy Drive in Holmdel, was found guilty on Friday July 30, 2021 of second degree Aggravated Arson, second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and third degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
On Aug. 19, 2017, Holmdel police responded to a report of a possible arson at 51 Main Street in the township, the site of the Neuhaus Realty Agency. Evidence collected there suggested that a fire that damaged a portion of the rear of the building was purposefully set. A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Holmdel Township Police Department determined the fire was purposefully set by a male captured on video surveillance cameras from August 17, 2017.
On Jan. 27, 2018 at about 10:18 p.m., Holmdel police responded to a second fire at the same Main Street location, finding heavy smoke and fire emanating from the rear of the structure. Firefighters from the Holmdel Fire Department responded to the scene but the structure sustained extensive damage. An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Holmdel Township Police Department and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office determined this second fire to also be an act of arson, closely resembling the August 2017 fire.
On May 29, 2018, Holmdel police were dispatched to 4 South Holmdel Road on the report of a BB gun being fired into the building. The location is the newest location for Neuhaus Realty, which had been forced to relocate as a result to the January 27th fire damage. Detectives from Holmdel Township Police Department reviewed additional surveillance video to determine Mazzarisi was responsible for firing the BB gun into the window of the building, and that he was driving a vehicle that matched the vehicle seen in the video at the January 2018 arson at the former Neuhaus Realty location.
The following day, on May 30, 2018, Mazzarisi was located at a hotel in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he was arrested on outstanding warrants stemming from the investigation. Mazzarisi was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail in Stafford, Virginia until he was extradited back to New Jersey on June 12, 2018 to face these charges.
Acting Prosecutor Linskey commended the efforts of the Holmdel Police Department as well as law enforcement agencies from Vermont, New York and Virginia for their work leading up to this conviction.
Mazzarisi is scheduled to return for sentencing before Superior Court Judge Lourdes Lucas on October 8, 2021. He faces up to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison on the charges.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Puglisi.
Mazzarisi was represented by John J. Perrone, Esq., of Long Branch.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
July 30, 2021
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The National Weather Service Mount Holly, NJ confirms that yesterday’s tornado in the Windsor section of town was an EF1 tornado on The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) An EF1 tornado has winds of 86-110 mph as measured in 3 second gusts.
The tornado appeared to start in the area of Gordon Road and Route 130 and hit wires and a day care center before heading into the woods of the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area also known as the “Route 130 Dam Site” area. Crossed Windsor Road and proceeded up Windsor-Prineville Road. At the intersection of Windsor-Perrineville and Voelbel Roads several trees were twisted and pushed over in a path though the woods.
MidJersey.news followed the tornado into East Windsor and Millstone Townships, circulation was seen but no significant damage was reported in East Windsor or Millstone from this tornado.
The damage to the daycare appeared to be limited to the membrane roof and some siding. Roofing contractors were already on scene this morning preparing to make repairs.
The story will be updated once the National Weather Service releases the tornado report.
A 7th tornado has been confirmed from yesterday, 7/29. An EF1 in Windsor, Mercer County NJ. More details tonight or tomorrow. #njwx
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) July 30, 2021
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Continuing Coverage: NWS Investigating Damage From Yesterday’s Storms
Updated photos from Windsor-Perrineville Road and Voelbel Roads and the path the tornado took though the woods. The area was filled with tree workers and JCP&L workers and was unsafe to fly with them working. Once the area was clear the area was checked.
View from the ground at the intersection of Windsor-Perrineville and Voelbel Roads in Robbinsville Township.
The tornado appeared to start at Route 130 near Gordon Road. A roof of a daycare center was damaged before the tornado headed into the woods at the “Route 130 Dam Site” that is part of the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area.
...Several Confirmed Tornadoes from July 29th... The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, NJ had a total of 5 survey teams investigating damage across the region today, which resulted from several severe thunderstorms on Thursday, July 29th. Detailed write-ups, including the path length and path width, for each confirmed tornado will be worked on during the day Saturday, and will be issued via Public Information Statements (PNS) when completed. Preliminary information regarding the confirmed tornadoes: 1) EF3 tornado in the Bensalem/Trevose, PA area (Bucks County) with peak winds up to 140 mph. The most intense damage occurred at car dealerships and an adjacent mobile home park. *This is the first EF3 tornado in Bucks County, however there was an F3 tornado in Bucks County on May 28, 1896. *This is the first F3/EF3 tornado in PA since July 17, 2004. *Some previous F3/EF3 tornadoes in our forecast area occurred in Limerick, PA (Montgomery County) in July 1994 and Lyons, PA (Berks County) in May 1998. 2) EF2 tornado in Waretown, NJ to Long Beach Township, NJ (Ocean County) with peak winds up to 115 mph. The EF2 damage was found in the High Bar Harbor area of Long Beach Island. 3) EF2 tornado near New Hope, PA (Bucks County) then across the Delaware River into Mercer County toward the Ewing, NJ area with peak winds up to 115 mph. 4) EF1 tornado in the Plumstead Township, PA (Bucks County) area with peak winds up to 90 mph. 5) EF1 tornado in the Cedar Bridge, NJ area of Barnegat Township (Ocean County) with peak winds 100-105 mph. 6) EF1 tornado in Windsor, NJ (Mercer County) with peak winds up to 105 mph. 7) EF0 tornado in Northeast Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia County) near the intersection of Grant Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard with peak winds of 60-80 mph.
July 30, 2021
Confirmed EF1 Tornado in Windsor section of Robbinsville Township, NJ UPDATE: National Weather Service Confirms EF1 Tornado Hits Windsor Section Of Robbinsville, NJ
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–A possible tornado touched down near Gordon Road and Route 130, the Robbinsville Township Police and Robbinsville Township Fire Department responded for wires down, then a structural collapse in the 1200 Block of Route 130 at 7:27 p.m. Shortly after trees and wires were reported down at the intersection of Voelbel Road and Perrinveville Road, power was out in the are and was still being restored this morning.
There was damage to a day care center on Route 130 from the storm and a specific path goes though the woods from Route 130 towards Windsor Road and Windsor-Perrineville Road. The next damage in a specific path is located at Windsor-Perrineveille Road and Voelbel. Trees are down and appeared to be twisted where they were broken off.
The day care center was occupied by the owner at the time of the storm and there were no injuries reported. A roofing contractor was on scene this morning getting an estimate to make the roof repairs. It appears that just roofing material was removed and some minor siding damage near the entrance; the daycare center should be reopen very quickly.
MidJersey.news was in the area last night and witnessed rotation right after the storm left Robbinsville and progressed into East Windsor. Rotation was seen behind the “Field of Terror” off Perrineville Road and the rotating clouds were last seen heading into Millstone towards Clarksburg/Perrineville and Roosevelt.
The path of damage is very specific and not wide usually as seen as straight line winds. If the National Weather Service confirms a tornado the story will be updated to reflect that.
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The storm damaged the roof of a day care center and left a specific path though the woods behind the day care off of Route 130 going towards Windsor Road.
The next location of damage was seen at the intersection of Windsor Perrineville and Voelbel Roads in Robbinsville Township near the East Windsor Border
Some minor crop damage and a couple of trees were damaged in the area of Cedarville Road. The rotating clouds that damaged Robbinsville were heading in this direction then eventually towards Millstone, Clarksburg and Roosevelt.
The areas the National Weather Service is investigating for storm damage are consistent with the path of the storm witnessed yesterday.
August 1, 2021 Update Here: Update: Man Arrested In Death Of Transgender Person
July 30, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force is investigating a shooting homicide that occurred Friday morning in Trenton. Police responded to a residence in the first block of Kelsey Avenue around 4:30 a.m. An individual was located shot and unresponsive behind the front door. The victim has been identified as Shaquil Loftin, 23, of Trenton. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dave Petelle at 609-989-6406. Tips can also be emailed to [email protected].
Names of 2021* homicide victims:
- 2/18/2021 Jabree Saunders, 26, from shooting on May 14, 2018
- 2/22/2021 Khalil Gibbs, 25, of West Windsor, shooting
- 2/25/2021 Lovelle Laramore, 60, of Trenton shooting
- 4/15/2021 Kaheem Carter, 22, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/20/2021 Shaquan McNeil, 25, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/24/2021 Cheryl Jones, 65, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/29/2021 Ramire Harvey, 25, of Trenton, shooting
- 5/15/2021 David Williams 36, of Trenton, shooting
- 5/29/2021 Edgar Geovani Sis-Luis, 34, of Trenton, aggravated manslaughter
- 7/05/2021 Dion Ellis, 16, Trenton, Shooting
- 7/14/2021 Pablo Herrera Chun, 53, Trenton, Shooting
- 7/19/2021 William Mitchell, 33, Trenton, Shooting
- 7/19/2021 Jermel Carter, 38, Trenton, Shooting
- 7/29/2021 Leonard Pettigrew, 58, Trenton, Shooting
- 7/30/2021 Shaquil Loftin, 23, Shooting, Trenton
*Updated to reflect the person who died in 2021 from complications from a shooting on May 14, 2018 as per medical examiner report.
July 30, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The victim in yesterday’s fatal shooting in the 1400 Block of Stuyvesant Avenue has been identified as Leonard Pettigrew, 58. He was discovered shot in the chest when police responded to a 911 call around 1:15 p.m. A family member, Emmanuel Shabazz-Gerald, 26, of Ewing, was taken into at the scene. He is charged with murder and weapons offenses. The preliminary investigation suggests that the homicide is the result of a domestic dispute.
Related Midjersey.News story here: DEVELOPING: Domestic Dispute In Trenton Leads To Murder
Names of 2021* homicide victims:
- 2/18/2021 Jabree Saunders, 26, from shooting on May 14, 2018
- 2/22/2021 Khalil Gibbs, 25, of West Windsor, shooting
- 2/25/2021 Lovelle Laramore, 60, of Trenton shooting
- 4/15/2021 Kaheem Carter, 22, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/20/2021 Shaquan McNeil, 25, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/24/2021 Cheryl Jones, 65, of Trenton, shooting
- 4/29/2021 Ramire Harvey, 25, of Trenton, shooting
- 5/15/2021 David Williams 36, of Trenton, shooting
- 5/29/2021 Edgar Geovani Sis-Luis, 34, of Trenton, aggravated manslaughter
- 7/05/2021 Dion Ellis, 16, Trenton, Shooting
- 7/14/2021 Pablo Herrera Chun, 53, Trenton, Shooting
- 7/19/2021 William Mitchell, 33, Trenton, Shooting
- 7/19/2021 Jermel Carter, 38, Trenton, Shooting
- 7/29/2021 Leonard Pettigrew, 58, Trenton, Shooting
- 7/30/2021 Shaquil Loftin, 23, Shooting, Trenton
*Updated to reflect the person who died in 2021 from complications from a shooting on May 14, 2018 as per medical examiner report.
July 30, 2021
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Early this morning a multi-vehicle accident was reported in front of 2350 Route 33. Robbinsville Township Police, Robbinsville Fire Department and EMS responded to the scene. There were no injuries reported in the 12:39 a.m. crash. The Robbinsville Township Police Department is investigating.
No injuries reported in this crash in front of 2350 Route 33 early this morning.
Yesterday July 29, 2021 around 10:04 a.m. an accident was reported on Route 130 and Main Street in front of Taco Bell. A vehicle hit a guide wire to a pole and damaged the vehicle. Robbinsville Township Police, Robbinsville Township Fire Department and EMS responded to the scene of the crash. No serious injuries were reported. EMS evaluated a occupant but it was unclear if anyone was transported to the hospital. Robbinsville Township Police is investigating the crash.
July 30, 2021 update here:
On July 29, at 9:22 pm the Long Beach Township Police Department received three 9-1-1 emergency calls for medical assistance in the High Bar Harbor section of Long Beach Township. Officers responding advised that there were four utility poles damaged and multiple houses roofs blown off in the area. It was suspected at the time that a tornado had caused the damages on Antioch Rd., Arnold Blvd, Collier Avenue and Sunset Blvd. Three residents in the area were treated on scene for lacerations. Several residents were evacuated and taken to the Barnegat Light Firehouse for shelter. Thirty-five plus houses in addition to multiple boats were damaged from the suspected tornado. Harvey Cedars, Ship Bottom and Surf City Police Departments all responded to assist as well as the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and New Jersey State Marine Police. There was also assistance provided from Stafford Township Fire and First Aid Squads in addition to each Fire and First Aid Squad on Long Beach Island. Berkeley Hazmat, the Long Beach Township Transportation Department shuttle buses and Long Beach Township Department of Public Works also assisted. NJ Natural Gas, Verizon, Atlantic City Electric and Comcast all responded and at least five utility poles were replaced. As of 6:00 am July 30th power had been restored to High Bar Harbor with the exception of approximately fifteen houses that sustained extensive damage. As of 7:30 am the National Weather Service had not made an official determination on the category of the weather system.
July 30, 2021
LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP-BARNEGAT LIGHT, NJ (OCEAN)–Last night July 29, 2021, around 9:00 p.m. severe thunderstorms moved though the area along with reported tornados. There were several reports of storm damage possibly from a tornado that hit the area of Long Beach Township and Barnegat Light sections of Long Beach Island as severe thunderstorms moved though the region. There were reports of damage to 8 houses in the High Bar Harbor Section near Arnold Lane and other areas. There were reports of two capsized boats in the Barnegat Bay. This is from preliminary information and once we get official information the story will be updated.
Photos by: Ryan Mack Jersey Shore Fire Response – MidJersey.News Jersey Shore Bureau
Daytime images of High Bar Harbor tornado damage.
Tornado damage at Wells Mills Park