October 12, 2021
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A Monmouth County jury has returned guilty verdicts on all charges against a Hightstown man who fatally shot a Freehold woman as she drove along on a state highway three years ago, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Tuesday.
Kader Mustafa, 40, was convicted of first-degree Murder, second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, two counts of second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and two counts of third-degree Endangering Another Person in connection with the killing of 24-year-old Sciasia Calhoun.
Shortly before 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2018, members of the Freehold Township Police Department responded to a 911 call originating from a vehicle stopped along Route 33 West near the exit ramp for Halls Mill Road. At that location, officers found three occupants of the vehicle, a 1997 Mazda Protégé: Calhoun, having sustained a single gunshot wound to the head, and her boyfriend and her 1-year-old daughter, both of whom were not physically harmed.
Calhoun was rushed by Freehold First Aid, with the assistance of Monmouth-Ocean Hospital Service Corporation (MONOC), to nearby CentraState Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead approximately one hour later.
An intensive investigation by the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau, greatly assisted by the Freehold Township and Manalapan police departments, revealed that Mustafa was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Impala when he fired a single shot at Calhoun, after several minutes of following her vehicle and flashing his high beams. Mustafa was apprehended in Manalapan in the area of Oakland Mills Road at approximately 8:10 a.m. the morning after the shooting, when two handguns were recovered from the vehicle.
Tuesday’s verdict was delivered following a multi-week trial before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano Jr. Representing the State during the proceedings was Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Investigation Division Director and Assistant Prosecutor John Loughrey.
“This was a chilling, senseless crime, committed against a total stranger in the dead of night, in front of the victim’s horrified boyfriend and young child,” Acting Prosecutor Linskey said. “We thank the jury for their service and are deeply gratified to know that while today’s verdict can’t bring Sciasia Calhoun back, this defendant will be kept off the streets and brought to justice for his actions.”
Sentencing in the case has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday, January 7, 2022. Mustafa is facing a minimum of 30 years and a maximum of life in state prison, with a 30-year period of parole ineligibility.
Kader Mustafa, 40, Hightstown Kader Mustafa, 40, was convicted of first-degree Murder, second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, two counts of second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and two counts of third-degree Endangering Another Person in connection with the killing of 24-year-old Sciasia Calhoun.
October 12, 2021
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Wall Township Police Department would like to remind it’s residents and the community that it shall be unlawful for a juvenile to be on any public street or in any public place between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on October 29, 30, 31 and November 1 of this year, unless accompanied by the juvenile’s parents or guardian, or unless engaged in or traveling to or from a business occupation, engaged in an errand involving a medical emergency or attendance at an extracurricular school activity; an activity sponsored by a religious or community based organization. It shall be unlawful for any parent or guardian to allow an unaccompanied juvenile to be on any public street or in any public place during those hours.
The Curfew will take effect starting at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 29th. Please see the below township ordinance 93-2 Curfew Hours for further details.
§ 93-2. Curfew hours.
It shall be unlawful for a juvenile to be on any public street or in any public place between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on October 29, 30, 31 and November 1 of each year, unless accompanied by the juvenile’s parents or guardian, or unless engaged in or traveling to or from a business occupation, engaged in an errand involving a medical emergency or attendance at an extracurricular school activity; an activity sponsored by a religious or community based organization. It shall be unlawful for any parent or guardian to allow an unaccompanied juvenile to be on any public street or in any public place during those hours.
October 12, 2021
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The rescheduled date for the Robbinsville Wawa Grand Opening is October 14, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. During the celebration Wawa will be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of New Jersey Native Ari Shiner, Wawa’s First Supported Employment Associate from 1981. With the help of Eden Autism Services and other supported employment agencies, Wawa has provided hundreds of employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities for the past 40 years and invites local friends and neighbors to celebrate this milestone at the newest store in New Jersey.
File photos of the Robbinsville Wawa at 1220 Route 130
October 12, 2021
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–On Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at approximately 6:45 AM Toms River Police were notified of an anonymous tip regarding a possible bomb at Toms River High School South. School administration was immediately notified and evacuated the building as a precautionary measure. Toms River Police and Ocean County Sheriff K9 bomb officers conducted a thorough search of the area and the school with negative results. Once cleared, students and staff returned to the building.
The tip came through an anonymous tipline with the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. It was stated in the tip that the person was unsure if what they overheard was a joke or an actual threat and wanted to alert authorities just in case. We commend them for alerting authorities. See something, say something, it’s always better to be safe!
