October 26, 2023

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ — Joint Base McGuire-DIX-Lakehurst has give the ALL CLEAR signal at the base and things are returning to normal operations.

JBMDL is no longer under lockdown condition. We received notification of an active shooter on the joint base. After investigating the incident, it was found that there was no active shooter. We appreciate the public’s concern and thank you for your continued support.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATEALL CLEARJBMDL IS NO LONGER UNDER A LOCKDOWN CONDITION, WE HAVE CONFIRMED ALL MEMBERS OF JBMDL ARE SAFE.

We appreciate the public’s continued support

Local Students to Help Families in Nicaragua

March 8, 2023

HAMILTON, NJ (MERCER)–A new EarlyAct service club for students at Greenwood Elementary School is raising funds to provide nutritious food for those in need in Nicaragua.

The 4th grade students are collecting change to be combined with other funds to support a Rotary International project that provides “aquaponics” kits to help families and schools grow fresh vegetables and fish.

The collection campaign will begin on Monday, March 11 and continue through May 17.

“The students are collecting loose change to make a positive change for others,” said Greenwood Elementary School Advisor John Malloy. “It’s a lesson in geography, science and most importantly, caring.”

The EarlyAct Club at Greenwood Elementary School is the second one to be established in Hamilton Township in the past three months. Wilson Elementary School launched its EarlyAct Club in December and is also participating in the Nicaragua project. Both clubs are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton.

In a ceremony on Friday, March 8, the Greenwood EarlyAct club officially installed its officers – President Brittany Ramirez; Vice Presidents Daleisa Pineda and Mahina Nayyar; Recording Secretary Pann Aung; Corresponding Secretary Naomi Moore; and Treasurer Mimi Hall.

On hand at the ceremony were Greenwood Principal Dr. Nicole Dickens-Simon, Advisor John Malloy, Social Coordinator Aysha Ahmad, and members of the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton, including Club President George Ott and Club EarlyAct Lead Coordinator Kalpana Patel.

“Greenwood Elementary School is pleased to offer its young scholars the opportunity to participate with the service-learning EarlyAct Club in partnership with the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton,” said Greenwood Principal Dickens-Simon. “The mission and vision of the EarlyAct Club seamlessly aligns with our Greenwood Core Values of integrity, responsibility, perseverance, and empathy. We are grateful for the leadership of Mrs. Kalpana Patel, of the Rotary Club and on-site orchestration of Mr. John Malloy, Greenwood Elementary School Advisor.”

A Greenwood flyer announcing the Nicaragua project notes that “every penny, nickel, dime and quarter collected will be donated to this very worthwhile cause. Together, we can help change the world.”

The change collected by the EarlyAct clubs will be included in the $2,500 committed to the project by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton.

The funds will be part of an overall $40,000 Rotary Global grant to fund aquaponics fish and garden tanks for up to 60 families and schools in the region of Ciudad Sandino, near Managua, Nicaragua. The systems provide tilapia fish and a variety of vegetables to improve the nutrition and diet of adults and children.

EarlyAct engages students in character-building activities and prepares them for leadership roles. Students learn to identify and carry out service projects that improve the quality of life in their local community and beyond.

The EarlyAct program was established in 1997 by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton, then known as the Rotary Club of Hamilton/Washington. The first EarlyAct Club was formed at Morgan Elementary School in Hamilton and the concept became popular around the world with EarlyAct clubs being established as far away as Australia and Africa.

For more on the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton, visit rhrotary.org.

Greenwood Principal Dr. Nicole Dickens-Simon congratulates the EarlyAct officers and the school’s scholars for their participation in the Nicaragua project.

EarlyAct officers stand with (rear left to right) Advisor John Malloy, Rotarian Paul Neu, Greenwood Principal Dr. Nicole Dickens-Simon, Rotary Club President George Ott and Rotary EarlyAct Lead Coordinator Kalpana Patel.

Greenwood Elementary School Advisor John Malloy swears in the officers of the school’s new EarlyAct Club.

September 21, 2023

MANCHESTER, NJ (OCEAN)–On Wednesday, September 20^th, at approximately 4:35 p.m., officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Pasadena Road near the intersection of Buckingham Road to investigate the report of a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle.

Upon arrival, officers observed a 2017 Yamaha motorcycle near the wood-line on the grass shoulder adjacent to the roadway with extensive damage.  A witness in the area observed the incident and immediately contacted the police. Upon arrival, Officers and EMT’s from the Manchester Emergency Medical Services began life saving measures on the motorcyclist who had sustained severe injuries.  

The investigation revealed that the Yamaha motorcycle was traveling westbound on Pasadena Road attempting to pass another motor vehicle when the rider lost control of the motorcycle, ran off the roadway, and struck a tree. The rider was ejected from the motorcycle as a result of the impact with the tree. The sole occupant of the Yamaha was identified as 27-year-old Robert Trout of Lanoka Harbor, NJ, and he was determined to be wearing a DOT approved helmet at the time of the crash. He was transported via ambulance to Southern Ocean Medical Center where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. 

The roadway was closed for several hours during the crash investigation. Assisting at the scene were members of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Manchester Emergency Medical Services EMT’s and firefighters, Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics, and Priced Rite Towing Service. The investigation into this crash is still ongoing, however, speed and driver error appear to be contributing factors. The crash is being investigated by Patrolman Jose Diaz and Patrolman Brendan Brush of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.

August 30, 2023

NEWARK, N.J. – A Mercer County couple was indicted for conspiring to prepare and submit fraudulent asylum applications, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Zuwairul Ameer, aka “Zuwairul Thowfeek,” 61, and Claudette Ameer, aka “Claudette Pieries,” 63, both of Lawrence Township, New Jersey, were both indicted on Aug. 29, 2023, on one count of conspiring to commit immigration fraud and one count of committing immigration fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Applicants for asylum in the United States must show that they have suffered persecution in their country of origin on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, or have a well-founded fear of persecution if they were to return to that country. The process requires an application that is reviewed by an asylum officer with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who makes an initial determination whether to grant asylum. If the application has been prepared by someone other than the applicant, the preparer must disclose his or her name and address and must sign the application.

Since at least 2007, Zuwairul Ameer has been in the business of preparing fraudulent asylum application on behalf of his non-citizen clients. Claudette Ameer has managed that business, acting as the primary point of contact for clients, arranging meetings, and mailing completed applications to USCIS. With Claudette Ameer’s assistance, Zuwairul Ameer met with clients, listened to their stories of mistreatment in their countries of origin, and drafted applications on their behalf that were fraudulent because they exaggerated the stories of mistreatment, falsely omitted Zuwairul Ameer’s name as the preparer, or both.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI – New York Field Office, under the direction of Assistant Director in Charge James Smith and immigration officers with of the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate at the New York Asylum Office, under the direction of Director Patricia Menges, with the investigation.

The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Webman of the Criminal Division in Newark.

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Defense counsel:Zuwairul Ameer: Mark G. Davis Esq., Hamilton, New Jersey

Claudette Ameer: Michael R. Rosas Esq., East Brunswick, New Jersey

August 23, 2023

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office reported that the victim from the August 19, 2023 Stuyvesant Avenue shooting has died.  The victim is Taquan Foxworth, 29, of Trenton.  The Mercer County Homicide Task Force is investigating.

On August 19, 2023 Trenton Police Department, Det. Lt. Nathan B. Bolognini told MidJersey.news that police received a ShotSpotter activation for the area of 763 Stuyvesant Avenue for 13-rounds fired early that morning. Police located the scene in front of 802 Stuyvesant Avenue and casings on the side of 801 Stuyvesant Avenue. A 29-year-old male Victim was transported by private vehicle to the hospital in critical condition. The Shooting Response Team is investigating the shooting.

This is the 20th homicide in the City of Trenton for 2023. The last homicide was over a month and a half ago on July 1, 2023 where Precious Saunders, 32, of Trenton was allegedly shot by her boyfriend, Jeremy Ratliff, 29, of Trenton, New Jersey. Ratliff has been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.

Trenton Police Investigate Early Morning Shooting

Names of the 2023 Trenton Homicide Victims

1. 1/16/2023 Donnell Williams, 29, Trenton, Shooting.
2. 2/12/2023 Stephanie Vil, 34, of Burlington, Shooting.
3. 2/16/2023 Khalil Glanton, 23, Trenton, Stabbing.
4. 3/24/2023 Harold Rosario, 19, Trenton, Shooting.
5. 3/26/2023 Nyeisha Saunders, 41, Trenton, Shooting.
6. 4/09/2023 Jhosse Tolentino, 23, Trenton, Shooting
7. 4/12/2023 Jared Anderson, Trenton, Shooting (died May 29)
8. 4/14/2023 Daniel Garvin, 46, Trenton, Shooting
9. 4/20/2023 Ralph Conquest, 43, of Lawrence, Shooting
10. 5/14/2023 Roger Martinez-Rodriguez, 27, Trenton, Stabbing
11. 5/14/2023 Justin Reed, 24, of Ewing, Shooting (died May 22)
12. 5/26/2023 Sherief Treadwell, 36, Trenton, Shooting
13. 6/09/2023 Markell Biggs, 20, Trenton, Shooting
14. 6/11/2023 Shaquan Brown, 23, Trenton, Shooting
15. 6/15/2023 James Junior Journigan, 36, Shooting
16. 6/15/2023 Louis Washington, 38, Trenton, Shooting, (died June 17)
17. 6/19/2023 Ernest Denard, 61, Stabbing
18. 6/22/2023 Guillermo Sanchez, Shooting
19. 7/01/2023 Precious Saunders, 32, of Trenton
20. 8/23/2023 Taquan Foxworth, 29, of Trenton, Shooting 8/19

June 26, 2024

EWING, N.J. — Ewing Township Mayor Bert H. Steinmann proudly announces that seven firefighter recruits from the Trenton/Ewing Fire Academy have successfully completed their mandatory N.J. Division of Fire Safety training and have started their new roles as firefighters with orientation sessions at Station 30 that began Monday, June 24, 2024. Mayor Steinmann expressed his pleasure that this group of eager recruits reflects the diversity of Ewing Township and emphasized that they will be an important part of the Ewing family, making the township proud.

 “We wish all the recruits good luck, encourage them to stay safe, and extend our heartfelt congratulations,” Mayor Steinmann said. “We look forward to each of them becoming an integral part of our team.”

At the orientation sessions, recruits were issued their Probationary Training Packets and heard presentations from a variety of township department heads in the areas of Human Resources, Finance and Information Technology. Starting on Monday, July 1, the recruits will begin their formal in-service training and will be assigned to their respective Platoons and Stations.

Joining the ranks are firefighters Elizabeth Budge, William Person, Franklin Armstrong, Dade Rudzitis, DeAndre Santos, William Walker, Nykai Rambharan and William Sotovando.

 “These recruits have received excellent training while attending the Trenton/Ewing Fire Academy and I am confident they all will be well prepared for their careers as firefighters,” said Ewing Fire Director Marc Strauss. “I thank Director Ken Douglas and his academy staff for the partnership we have developed, and I look forward to this partnership growing between these two great municipalities.”

The culmination of the recruits’ hard work and dedication will be celebrated at the Fire Academy Graduation on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 3 p.m. at the NJ State Museum.

Photo: From left, Ewing Fire Director Marc Strauss, Dade Rudzitis, William Sotovando, Franklin Armstrong, Elizabeth Budge, Nykai Rambharan, Mayor Bert H. Steinmann, DeAndre Santos, William Person, Ewing Fire Captain Kevin Wemple

July 24, 2024

Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Old Bridge Police Chief Thomas J. Montagna announce today that an Old Bridge husband and wife were sentenced on July 9, 2024, in connection with the unlicensed practice of medicine and two sexual assaults that occurred in July 2022.

An initial investigation led by Detective Jessica Caffey of the Old Bridge Police Department revealed that on July 20, 2022, an adult female victim went to receive medical treatment at the residence of Orger Sibaja-Bolanos, 67, of Old Bridge, who posed as a doctor. Sibaja-Bolanos sexually assaulted her and gave her injections. The investigation determined Sibaja-Bolanos was not a medical doctor. Sibaja-Bolanos was arrested and charged with second-degree Sexual Assault, third-degree Aggravated Assault, and third- degree Unlicensed Practice of Medicine.

Thereafter on August 8, 2022, a second adult female victim came forward. Further investigation determined that Sibaja-Bolanos sexually assaulted her and gave her injections on multiple occasions in July 2022. Sibaja-Bolanos was charged with second-degree sexual assault, third-degree Unlicensed Practice of Medicine, and third-degree Financial Facilitation.

The subsequent investigation revealed that Sibaja-Bolanos’s wife, Rosa Perez, 64, of Old Bridge, assisted with the unlicensed medical practice. Perez was charged with third- degree Unlicensed Practice of Medicine, third-degree Conspiracy to Commit the Unlicensed Practice of Medicine, and third-degree Financial Facilitation.

On October 23, 2023, Perez pled guilty to third-degree Conspiracy to Commit the Unlicensed Practice of Medicine. On January 1, 2024, Sibaja-Bolanos pled guilty to two counts of second-degree Sexual Assault.

On July 9, 2024, Sibaja-Bolanos was sentenced before the Honorable Sheree V. Pitchford, J.S.C. to an aggregate term of 10 years in the custody of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), which means he will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Upon his release from prison, Sibaja-Bolanos must register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and will be on Parole Supervision for Life.

Perez was sentenced to 3 years of probation with the condition of serving 364 days in the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility at the end of her sentence should she violate the terms of probation.

The case was prosecuted by Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Lauren Panfile and investigated by the Old Bridge Township Police Department.

Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com

February 19, 2023

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 9:30 a.m. the Hamilton Township Fire Department, EMS and Hamilton Police responded to the intersection of Nottingham Way and Sculptors Way for a crash. It appeared that one person was complaining of pain but it was unclear of the condition or if anyone was transported to the hospital from the crash. Hamilton Township Police are investigating the crash.

Photos by: Brian McCarthy

January 6, 2023

WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–West Windsor Police say that on December 25, 2022 at 5:23 p.m., Patrol Units responded to the area of 3466 US Route 1 North (an unoccupied former car dealership) on multiple reports of a possible deceased person.  Upon Patrol’s arrival, they located an unknown white female believed to be possibly in her 40’s lying deceased in the shoulder of US Route 1 North.

The WWPD Detective Bureau and Administration arrived at the scene thereafter.  The WWPD Detective Bureau took over the investigation in conjunction with members of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force (HTF).  The Middlesex Regional Medical Examiner’s Office removed the deceased female.  

The victim has been identified as Stephanie A. Carmody of the Trenton, NJ area. The Manner and Cause of Death are still being determined at this time.   Anyone with any pertinent information can contact Det. Sgt. Jason Jones at (609) 799-1222, our Anonymous Tipline at (609) 799-0452, or email at [email protected].

Additional photos of a person of interest that were released this afternoon below:

Photos of person of interest in a Christmas death in West Windsor, NJ Anyone with any pertinent information can contact Det. Sgt. Jason Jones at (609) 799-1222, our Anonymous Tipline at (609) 799-0452, or email at [email protected].

The victim has been identified as Stephanie A. Carmody of the Trenton, NJ area. The Manner and Cause of Death are still being determined at this time.

Police Identify Woman Found On Side of Route 1 Dead In West Windsor

Christmas Death Investigation On Route 1 In West Windsor

March 8, 2024

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced today that an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department has resulted in charges being filed against three individuals in connection with the November 2023 shooting homicide of Leroy Tutt.

Jerrod Baldwin, 41, of Ewing, and Kellen Dingman, 41, of Ewing, are each charged with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and first-degree conspiracy to commit murder.  Eric Bell, 44, of Trenton, is charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and third-degree hindering apprehension.  All three men were taken into custody earlier this week by in various locations of New Jersey by members of the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Mercer County Tactical Response Team.  They are being held at the Mercer County Correction Center pending detention hearings.

At approximately 6:30 a.m. on Friday, November 24, 2023, Trenton police responded to the first block of Oliver Avenue for a ShotSpotter activation.  Responding officers arrived on scene to discover an adult male on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshots to the torso.  The victim was lying next to a burgundy Chrysler Sebring with an open trunk.  Officers observed numerous spent shell casings inside of the truck.  The victim, later identified as Leroy Tutt, 37, of Trenton, was transported to Capital Heath Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Elijah Phillips at 609-414-2006 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at 609-256-0997. Information can also be emailed to [email protected].

Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Police Investigating Early Morning Black Friday Shooting In Trenton

Black Friday Shooting Victim in Trenton Identified by Prosecutor’s Office

Kellen Dingman, 41, of Ewing

Jerrod Baldwin, 41, of Ewing