Police Officers arrested Omari Cartwright (18 years old) of the 800 block of Carteret Ave, Trenton, and a 17-year-old juvenile. Cartwright was charged with Hindering Apprehension, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Burglary, Possession of Burglar Tools and Criminal Mischief. Cartwright was lodged in the Mercer Country Correctional Center pending a Detention Hearing.
The juvenile was charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief, and was released.
September 17, 2022
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Lawrence Township Police say that on September 17, 2022 at approximately 3:00 a.m., Lawrence Township Police Officers arrested Omari Cartwright (18 years old) of the 800 block of Carteret Ave, Trenton, and a 17-year-old juvenile. The two were arrested during a proactive initiative to address ongoing vehicle break-ins that have been reported throughout Lawrence Township.
While Officer Kraszewski and Officer Bystrek were patrolling Township neighborhoods during the overnight hours, they observed two individuals walking in dark clothing and full-face coverings in the area of Wittenborn Dr in the Society Hill South neighborhood. While Officers Kraszewski and Bystrek kept surveillance of the two individuals, additional officers found several vehicles in the area that appeared to have been entered, one with a window shattered.
Officers Kraszewski and Bystrek made contact with the two individuals on Wittenborn Drive and conducted an on-scene investigation. The two individuals were quickly identified as being responsible for shattering the window of a vehicle on Sherman Place just prior to having contact with the officers.
Both were arrested. During the arrest, Omari Cartwright provided a false name and was found to be in possession of a Glock handgun with a high-capacity magazine.
Cartwright was charged with Hindering Apprehension, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Burglary, Possession of Burglar Tools and Criminal Mischief. Cartwright was lodged in the Mercer Country Correctional Center pending a Detention Hearing.
The juvenile was charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief, and was released.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer Kraszewski @ 609-896- 1111 or [email protected].
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCAN)–Toms River Police reported that shortly after 8:00 a.m., this morning, police units were dispatched to Route 37 East, at the intersection of River Drive for a motor vehicle accident involving an electric bike. The initial investigation revealed a 33-yearold male from Little Egg Harbor was traveling west on his electric bike in the westbound shoulder of Route 37 East when he made a sudden left turn into traffic and was struck by a vehicle in the center lane of the highway. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene.
The bicyclist suffered severe injuries and was taken to Community Medical Center by Toms River EMS
where he was later pronounced dead. The accident remains under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer, Corporal Robert Westfall. Also assisting at the scene were the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Hatzalah Volunteer EMS.
The bicyclist’s name is being withheld pending notifications.
Photos from the April 8, 2024 eclipse at following link:
April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse
Photos from April 8, 2024 eclipse at above link
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Many parts of the country will experience effects from a solar eclipse the afternoon of Monday April 8, 2024. New Jersey will experience a partial eclipse between 85% to 95% depending how far in north Jersey you are located. Northernmost New Jersey should experience a partial solar eclipse just greater than 90%, Central Jersey to South Jersey should experience a partial solar eclipse of 85 to 90% and Cape May less than 85%.
According to the New Jersey State Parks Facebook page, Most of New Jersey will see 85 – 90% of the sun blocked by the Moon. The partial eclipse will begin just after 2 p.m. EST and last until 4:30, with maximum coverage around 3:25 p.m. To observe the event, and avoid serious injury to the eye, only use approved eclipse glasses. These glasses, which are thousands of times darker than your average sunglasses, are widely available for purchase.
Many New Jerseyans have already traveled or are planning to travel tomorrow to the center of the 115-mile-wide path of totality in states such as New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine or Ohio. See NASA maps below and NASA page for the eclipse.
If traveling to New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine or other states to be under the 115-mile-wide path of totality be prepared for major traffic issues leaving the areas of the eclipse. I personally experienced a 535-mile bumper to bumper traffic from the 2017 eclipse, from Spring City, TN to State Line, PA where traffic finally subsided.
Book hotels and be prepared to stay overnight to avoid traffic jams leaving these areas.
The current weather forecast is showing the best states for eclipse viewing are Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine with the least amount of clouds blocking the view. If in New York State the areas forecasted the best skies are closer to the State Line with Vermont. Check with the National Weather Service offices for your local forecast.
Prepare to be stuck in bumper to bumper and slow traffic for hours. Prior to the eclipse to have extra food, water and supplies in your vehicle in case of long traffic jams leaving the area. Have a full tank of gas or a full electric charge for your vehicle prior to the eclipse. Arrive early and plan to stay late, stay overnight and return the next day due to traffic concerns.
As of last night, outside of Burlington, Vermont, eclipse goers have been seen on highway pull off and rest areas sleeping in their vehicles. In upstate New York, rest areas were very busy yesterday afternoon and many out of state tags were seen traveling north to the eclipse area in preparation for tomorrow’s eclipse.
According to NASA, after the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044.
If you miss this one you will have to wait 20 years to see the next one in the USA.
New Jersey State Parks and Historic Sites reports that, Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will occur along a roughly 115-mile-wide path from Mexico to Newfoundland. Approximately 32 million people live along the path of totality which arcs northeast across North America.A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and Sun, thereby obscuring the view of the Sun from part of the Earth, depending on location.
Almost everyone in North America will see a partial solar eclipse, with the Moons’ shadow taking a chunk out of the Sun over a few hours. Only those who live or travel into the path of totality will have a view of the Sun’s corona during the height of the eclipse.
Most of New Jersey will see 85 – 90% of the sun blocked by the Moon. The partial eclipse will begin just after 2 p.m. EST and last until 4:30, with maximum coverage around 3:25 p.m. To observe the event, and avoid serious injury to the eye, only use approved eclipse glasses. These glasses, which are thousands of times darker than your average sunglasses, are widely available for purchase.
Although total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every 18 months on average, they recur at the same place only once every 350 to 400 years. The next total solar eclipse visible across the United States (from California through Florida) won’t be until 2045. So, enjoy this one!
If you wish to view the solar eclipse, make sure you, do it safely by wearing special eclipse glasses. Protect your cameras with special solar filters designed for photographing the eclipse.
According to the American Astronomical Society on “How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely”
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks any part of the Sun’s bright face. On Monday, April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse will be visible (weather permitting) across nearly all of North America. All 50 U.S. states (excluding most of Alaska) will experience at least a partial solar eclipse, as will most of Canada, all of Mexico, and all countries in Central America. Anyone within a roughly 115-mile-wide path across Mexico, from Texas through Maine, across parts of Eastern Canada will experience a total solar eclipse, one of the most spectacular sights in all of nature.
During a partial or total solar eclipse, such as the one on April 8th, looking directly at the Sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase (“totality”), when the Moon entirely blocks the Sun’s bright face, which happens only within the narrow path of totality. At all other times, it is safe to look directly at the Sun only through special-purpose solar filters that comply with the transmittance requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard. To find out whether your home or any other location lies within the roughly 115-mile-wide path of the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse, see Xavier Jubier’s Google Map.
Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers & Filters
Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched, punctured, torn, or otherwise damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
Always supervise children using solar filters.
If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses on over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright Sun. After looking at the Sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the Sun.
Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
Similarly, do not look at the Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer in front of your eyes — the concentrated solar rays could damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury.
Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device; note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.
For futher information make sure to visit the American Astronomical Society on “How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely”
Various traffic signs posted along the highways in New York and Vermont yesterday warning to expect traffic delays because of tomorrow’s eclipse.
Above photos from the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse Spring City, TN
POINT PLESANT BEACH, NJ (OCEAN)–The Point Pleasant Beach Police Department, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and NJ Transit Police are investigating an incident that occurred on the train tracks at the Forman Ave crossing. All train crossings are currently open and operating normally at this time. The train has been moved and the investigation at the scene, has concluded. NJ Transit confirmed there was a fatality at the scene. No further details are available at this time.
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Police say that on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at approximately 6:00 a.m., Lawrence Township Police Detectives executed a search warrant at a residence along the first block of Woodmont Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ. The search warrant execution was the result of a two-week long narcotics investigation conducted by the Lawrence Township Police Department.
As a result of the search warrant execution, Ahsan Shaikh (25-year-old male, Lawrenceville Resident) was arrested and charged with the following,
Manufacture Defacement of Weapons (2nd Degree) 2-Counts
Manufacture Firearm with 3D Printer (2nd Degree)
Manufacture of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (2nd Degree)
Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons (4th Degree)
Manchester Township NJ – A comprehensive month-long investigation into numerous burglaries throughout Ocean County has culminated in the arrest of two individuals. Ryan Dautorio, 34, of Jackson, and Damian Sanchirico, 36, of Brick, have been apprehended and charged with multiple counts of burglary and theft.
The investigation, spearheaded by Detective Adam Guker of the Manchester Township Police Department, began on April 26, 2024, following a reported burglary and theft at All-Star Bagel, located at 1900 State Highway 37. Upon arrival, officers discovered that unknown perpetrators had entered the establishment, stealing both the cash register and the tip jar. The case was promptly handed over to the Department’s Investigation Bureau for further investigation.
Through diligent investigative efforts, Det. Guker identified Dautorio and Sanchirico as prime suspects. Subsequent leads and surveillance enabled authorities to capture the duo shortly after they committed another commercial burglary at Lakewood Industrial Park on Saturday, May 11. The stolen property from the Lakewood theft, valued at over $20,000, was fully recovered.
While Sanchirico was apprehended on May 11, Dautorio evaded capture until Wednesday, May 15. A search warrant was then executed at a Jackson residence linked to Dautorio, leading to the discovery of additional incriminating evidence.
Further investigation, including numerous interviews, confirmed Dautorio and Sanchirico’s involvement in several other burglaries in Toms River, including incidents at NY Water Bagel (542 Fischer Boulevard), Breaking Bread (1177 Fischer Boulevard), Pizza & Panini (452 Rt. 37), and Siga’s Pizza (1808 Rt. 37).
Both individuals have been charged with numerous counts of criminal mischief, burglary, and theft. They are both currently lodged in Ocean County Jail.
May 20, 2024
MOORESTOWN, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Moorestown Township Public Safety Director Patrick J. Reilly Jr. announced that a 73-year-old Moorestown man was charged yesterday with killing his wife in their East Camden Avenue apartment.
Gerard Slavin was charged with Murder (First Degree) and Aggravated Assault – Strangulation (Second Degree). He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.
The investigation began just before 3 p.m. yesterday when police were called to the Slavin’s residence in the Moorestowne Woods Apartment Homes. Upon arrival, officers from the Moorestown Township Police Department found the body of Linda Slavin, 73, in the couple’s bedroom.
Gerard Slavin was arrested without incident. An autopsy performed today by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood determined that Linda Slavin died from strangulation.
The investigation is being conducted by the Moorestown Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead investigators are MTPD Det. Ryan Carr, and Det. Shawn McDonough and Det. Katie White from the Prosecutor’s Office.
Slavin will be prosecuted by Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Hutchinson.
All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Gerard Slavin, 73, of Moorestown was charged with Murder (First Degree) and Aggravated Assault – Strangulation (Second Degree). He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.
May 20, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Trenton man was sentenced to 30 years in state prison for the aggravated sexual assault of a young girl, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced.
Taalibdin Shakir, 46, was sentenced by Mercer County Superior Court J. Adams Hughes on May 17. A jury convicted Shakir guilty of first-degree aggravated sexual assault in August 2023 following a two-week trial. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting the victim in Trenton on June 21, 2022, when she was under the age of 13.
Under the No Early Release Act, Shakir must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence before he is eligible for parole. After completion of his prison term, he will be subject to Megan’s Law requirements as well as parole supervision for life.
Mercer County Executive Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Ward and Assistant Prosecutor Christian E. Fisher prosecuted the case for the state.
The investigation was led by Detective Brianna Fleming of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit and Detective Gloria Phillips of the Trenton Police Department. The defendant was represented at trial by Deputy Public Defender Melissa Karabalut and at sentencing by Mark Fury, Esquire.
Taalibdin Shakir, 46, was sentenced by Mercer County Superior Court J. Adams Hughes on May 17. A jury convicted Shakir guilty of first-degree aggravated sexual assault in August 2023 following a two-week trial. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting the victim in Trenton on June 21, 2022, when she was under the age of 13.
May 20, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a Sunday evening shooting in Trenton that left one man dead, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Yesterday at approximately 5:52 p.m. on May 19, 2024, Trenton police received a ShotSpotter activation for multiple rounds and several calls reporting two individuals shot in the area of 2 Kingsbury Square. Trenton police, fire and emergency services responded to the area and located two 18-year-old males outside suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center. Stephon Fisher, of Trenton, was pronounced dead a short time later. The second 18-year-old victim, also a city resident, sustained three gunshot wounds and is currently in stable condition.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Paulina Way at (609) 722-0170 or OIC William Jett Jr. at (609) 331-5010. Information can also be emailed to [email protected].
Above file photo by: Brian McCarthy
Names of the 2024 Trenton Homicide Victims
01/13/2024 Eduardo Lopez-Cruz, 38, of Trenton, Shooting
02/28/2024 Shawn Moore, 45, Trenton, Shooting
03/19/2024 Donnell Jenkins age 52, Stabbing
04/04/2024 Jose Alfredo Azcona Garcia, 46, of Trenton, Shooting
05/01/2024 Jerome Francis, 43, of Hamilton
05/01/2024 Chevaughn Fagan, 28, of Trenton
05/19/2024 Stephon Fisher, 18, of Trenton, Shooting
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON), — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Press Office reported that New Jersey State Park Police were dispatched at 10:55 p.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2023, for a report of a missing helicopter in the area of Wharton State Forest. Following a search, State Park Police discovered a debris field from a helicopter crash in the area of Mullica River Road in Washington Township, Burlington County, at 12:02 a.m. today.
Federal Aviation Administration representatives arrived at the scene at 3:15 a.m. today for an initial assessment. Due to the remote area and limited visibility, it was determined that an investigation will be suspended until sometime after daybreak today. At this time the scene is being secured by State Park Police with the assistance of the NJDEP Forest Fire Service, New Jersey State Police and Hammonton Township Police.
Quaker Bridge Road, Mullica River Road and Middle Road – all unpaved local roads within the forest – are closed at this time. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been contacted and will assume responsibilities for investigating the crash. All other questions about the incident and its cause should be directed to the NTSB.
According to both FlightRadar24 and FlightAware the helicopter went down at 8:03 p.m. EST on December 19, 2023.
WPVI Channel 6 Action News reported that a pilot and a photographer were on board the helicopter when it went down in Washington Township, New Jersey around 8 p.m. They were returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore.
Chopper 6 was last airborne over Wharton State Forest when it crashed in a remote section of the woods.
It has been a devastating day for the Action News team after two crew members on board Chopper 6 were killed in a crash on Tuesday night.
They have a long history with our station and have been working as part of the Action News team for years.
The pilot was 67-year-old Monroe Smith of Glenside, Pa. and the photographer was 45-year-old Christopher Dougherty of Oreland, Pa.
Pilot, photographer killed after Action News’ Chopper 6 crashes in wooded area of New Jersey
Midjersey.news extends our condolences to our colleagues at Channel 6 on loss of their Action News team members in a helicopter crash in South Jersey last night. We are praying and thinking of you during this difficult time.
The NTSB is investigating the Dec. 19 crash of an American Eurocopter AS350-B2 near Shamong, New Jersey. An NTSB investigator is currently traveling to the scene and is expected to be on site tomorrow morning. The scene will be secured overnight. There was a post impact fire that has been extinguished. Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation. NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.
As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records: • Flight track data • Recordings of any air traffic control communications • Aircraft maintenance records • Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident • Pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience • 72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safety operate the flight • Witness statements • Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation • Any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras
During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident. A preliminary report will be available within 30 days; it can be accessed by searching our investigations database. We will also tweet the link on NTSB Newsroom. The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A probable cause of the crash along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, which is expected in 12-24 months. Additional information about NTSB investigative processes is available at Media Resources (ntsb.gov).
Photos from the FlightRadar24 and FlightAware apps.
Photos from the FlightRadar24 and FlightAware apps.
NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County man was sentenced to 97 months in prison for plotting to pay a purported hitman to kill his ex-wife and her daughter, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Michael Stewart, 69, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Julien Xavier Neals to an information charging him with one count of the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of a murder for hire. Judge Neals imposed the sentence on May 2, 2023, in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In the summer of 2021, Stewart and a confidential source discussed the murder of Stewart’s ex-wife and her daughter. Stewart indicated he would pay for the murders and asked the confidential source to find a hitman. In October 2021, Stewart met with an undercover agent – whom he believed to be a hitman – and told him he wanted the ex-wife’s daughter killed first, followed by the ex-wife. He told the undercover agent he would pay for the killings and provided him with names, addresses, layout of the victims’ property and types of cars used by the victims. Stewart also showed the undercover agent a photo of his ex-wife. He provided the undercover agent $500 as a partial payment.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Neals sentenced Stewart to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Olta Bejleri of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
23-126
Defense counsel: Michael Robert Rosas Esq., Iselin, New Jersey
LAKEWEOOD, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lakewood Township Police Chief Gregory Meyer announced that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, are currently investigating a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian that occurred in the early morning hours of June 16, 2024, in Lakewood Township.
On June 16, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department were summoned to the area of Route 9 and First Street for a report of a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Responding Officers discovered that a white four door sedan was traveling northbound on Route 9 when it struck a male victim who was attempting to cross Route 9 in a marked crosswalk. The white sedan continued northbound on Route 9 and left the scene. As a result of the crash, the victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. The victim is presently listed in critical condition.
Anyone in possession of information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Anthony Carrington of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3257, or Officer Mark Gibson of the Lakewood Township Police Department at 732-363-0200.
EWING, NJ (MERCER)–A two-month investigation into cocaine distribution in Ewing Township culminated this week with one arrest and the seizure of $269,800 in narcotics, four handguns and an assault weapon, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Terrance Young, 34, of Ewing, was arrested on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, as a result of the investigation conducted by the members of the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ewing, Hamilton and Trenton police. After executing a search warrant at Young’s Perry Drive residence and detaining him without incident, detectives executed a search warrant at a public storage facility on Quaker Bridge Road in Hamilton Township. Inside of Young’s unit, detectives located approximately 790 grams of powder cocaine, 110 grams of raw heroin, 50 bricks of heroin packaged for sale, 50 grams of fentanyl and narcotics paraphernalia, including a hydraulic press, digital scale and packaging materials.
During the investigation, a second storage unit being utilized by Young was identified. Detectives obtained additional warrants and conducted a search of a unit on Parkside Avenue in Ewing, where they discovered approximately 1,200 grams of heroin, 400 grams of powder cocaine, 50 grams of methamphetamine, 50 grams of fentanyl, 28 ecstasy pills, four handguns, an assault weapon, six high-capacity magazines, a hydraulic press and drug packaging materials.
Young was charged with 38 narcotics and weapons offenses of various degrees lodged in the Mercer County Correction Center. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain him pending trial.
According to Prosecutor Onofri, the combined street value of the confiscated narcotics is approximately $269,800.
Despite having been charged, all persons are presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Terrance Young, 34, of Ewing, was arrested on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
