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BREAKING NEWS REPORT: From radio and on scene reports, if official information is released the story will be updated and any corrections made.

September 30, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Around 5:35 pm the Trenton Fire Department was dispatched to the 100 block of Wayne Avenue for a house fire. The first arriving units reported smoke was showing on the 2nd floor and an “All Hands” was called, sending additional units to the scene. The reports from radio and on scene that there was fire in the walls on the 2nd floor and was quickly knocked down. The fire was under control within 15 minutes. No injuries were reported and no further information was available.

OnScene News Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News

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November 10, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 194, which includes new COVID-19 mitigation measures. The measures include restrictions on seating and hours for restaurants, bars, clubs, and lounges, and prohibition of interstate indoor K-12 and youth sports.“As cases of COVID-19 increase across the country and in our state, we must take all measures necessary to stop the spread,” said Governor Murphy. “In the interest of public health, we are requiring modifications in operations for businesses that serve food and drinks, and temporarily prohibiting interstate games and tournaments for indoor K-12 sports. We must come together as a state to once again beat back this deadly virus and to save lives.”The measures being announced today include:

Restrictions on Hours for Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Lounges, and Casinos –

1. Restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges, and other businesses that serve food or drinks will not be able to operate their indoor premises between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.  Outdoor dining can continue after 10:00 p.m., as can takeout and delivery services. 
2. Casinos will not be able to serve food or drinks between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., with the exception of room service delivered to guest rooms and takeout.  Other casino operations would be unaffected.

Restrictions on Bar Seating, Increased Flexibility for Restaurants –

1. Seating at the physical bar in the indoor areas of bars and restaurants will be prohibited during all operating hours.
2. Due to the impact this may have on restaurants with small seating areas, restaurants will be allowed to have groups at tables indoors that are closer than six feet together, if they are separated by barriers that comply with guidance from the Department of Health. 
3. Restaurants will be allowed to set up plastic domes outdoors, limited to one group each, as additional outdoor dining space.

Restrictions on Interstate Indoor Sports Competitions –

1. All interstate games and tournaments involving indoor sports, up to and including the high school level, will be prohibited. 
2. Collegiate and professional sports will be unaffected.

The measures will take effect on Thursday, November 12^th, at 5:00 a.m.For a copy of Executive Order No. 194, click here.

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All Drop Boxes will be open by October 5, 2020 until General Election Night of November 3, 2020 at 8:00 pm.

October 4, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Recently a secured election ballot drop box has been installed at the Robbinsville Township Municipal Building. The box is to the left of the rear parking lot entrance to the building. Just look for the flag pole and the box is in that location. There are also signs located in the parking lot to show the way to the secure drop box.

Robbinsville Township Municipal Clerk Michele Seigfried explains the 2020 General Election process on November 3 in the wake of COVID-19 in this informative video.

For the most up to date information on the 2020 elections and drop box locations visit the Mercer County Board of Elections website here and here: Mercer County Board Of Elections

All Active Registered Voters will receive a Mail-In-Ballot that can be placed in a drop box at any one of the fifteen (15) locations (see below), mailed, or hand delivered at the polling location on November 3 from 5:15 am-8:00 pm.

Drop boxes will be open beginning in October 2020 until General Election Night of November 3, 2020 at 8:00 pm.

Please Note: We anticipate more drop boxes, however, at this time do not know how many and in what locations they will be placed. Any and all changes will be updated on the website.

** All Drop Boxes will be open by October 5, 2020

EAST WINDSOR:

• East Windsor Police Station – 80 One Mile Road, East Windsor, NJ, 08520 (Courthouse)

EWING:

• Ewing Municipal Building – 2 Jake Garzio Drive, Ewing, NJ, 08628 (In Front)

HAMILTON:

• Hamilton Golf/Call Center – 5 Justice Samuel A. Alito Way, Hamilton, NJ, 08619
• Hamilton Municipal Building – 2090 Greenwood Avenue, Hamilton, NJ, 08609 (Right side of Bldg.)
• Nottingham Firehouse – 200 Mercer Street, Hamilton Square, NJ, 08690 (Right side of Bldg.)

HIGHTSTOWN:

• Hightstown Firehouse #1 – 140 N. Main Street, Hightstown, NJ, 08520 (Front of Bldg.)

HOPEWELL TWP:

• Hopewell Township Administration Building – 201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd, Titusville, NJ 08560 (at the intersection of Scotch Road)

LAWRENCE:

• Lawrence Municipal Building – 2207 Lawrenceville Rd, (Rt 206) Lawrence, NJ 08648 (North Side-Right Side of the Municipal Bldg.)

PRINCETON:

• Princeton Municipal Building – 400 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ, 08540(Front of Bldg. facing  Witherspoon)

ROBBINSVILLE:

• Robbinsville Municipal Building, 2298 NJ-33, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 (In back parking lot of Municipal Bldg.)

TRENTON:

• County Clerk’s Office- Courthouse Annex- 209 S. Broad Street, Trenton, NJ, 08608 (in front)
• Trenton City Hall – 319 E. State Street, Trenton, NJ, 08608 (In back/ near Municipal Clerks Office)
• Henry J. Austin Center – 321 N. Warren St, Trenton, NJ, 08618(Corner of Tucker)
• Trenton Central High School – 400 Chambers Street, Trenton, NJ, 08609(across from McDonald’s)

WEST WINDSOR:

• West Windsor Municipal Complex, 271 Clarksville Rd, West Windsor, NJ,08550 (Between the Municipal building and the Senior Center)

November 9, 2020

CAMDEN, NJ –A New Jersey doctor was charged in connection with his role in a longstanding billing fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Morris Antebi, 68, of Long Branch, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with three counts of health care fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud for his role in the scheme. Antebi is scheduled to appear today by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider.

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

Antebi, a physician specializing in pain management and anesthesia, owned and operated a pain management clinic chain with locations throughout South Jersey. Antebi was a participating provider in Medicare, Medicaid, and several private insurance plans. Between approximately 2014 through 2020, Antebi billed over $24.6 million for services he purportedly provided, including billing more than $15.3 million to Medicaid and more than $8 million to Medicare.

The investigation showed that Antebi engaged in various forms of billing fraud. For example, Antebi frequently billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies on dates when travel records show he was overseas, including on trips to China, Israel, Turkey, the Dominican Republic, and across Europe, or when he was otherwise outside the State of New Jersey. Antebi billed approximately $230,700 to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance plans between November 2015 and January 2020 for services he purportedly rendered while he was traveling and not in the office.

The investigation also showed that Antebi billed for excessive billings for one-day periods of time. For example, Antebi billed insurance plans for more than 24 hours’ worth of services in a one-day period of time on more than 900 occasions between 2014 and 2020. Antebi also billed insurance companies for between 12 and 23.99 hours of purported services in a one-day period of time on more than 300 occasions. On certain occasions, law enforcement surveilled Antebi on days when he left the clinics early, but nevertheless billed as though he saw many patients on those days.

Despite these high billings, individuals interviewed during the investigation stated that Antebi commonly saw them for only very brief periods of time, and he often did not perform any medical exams or evaluations during their visits. Individuals also indicated that that there sometimes was no medical equipment or examination tables in the rooms at the clinics in which patients met with providers, and that patients sometimes met with providers on folding chairs in the hallway of the clinics.

The health care fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The wire fraud and mail fraud counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency Health Care Fraud Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert, the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark, and IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez in Newark with the investigation leading to the criminal complaint and officers of the Northfield Police Department. U.S. Attorney Carpenito also credited agents of FBI’s Headquarters Health Care Fraud Unit Data Analysis Response Team under the direction of Special Agent Greg Heeb in Washington, D.C.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christina O. Hud and Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense counsel: TBD

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September 30, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Three New Jersey men and a man and woman from Florida have been charged with conspiring to illegally sell firearms, including handguns and a semi-automatic rifle, in and around Monmouth County, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Enrique Quijada, 23, a/k/a “El Enano 13,” a/k/a “Kike,” of Freehold, New Jersey; Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria, 30, a/k/a “Chino,” of Bartow, Florida; his brother, Waldin Espinosa-Ozoria, 31, a/k/a “Manin,” of Freehold, New Jersey; Javier Rodriguez-Valpais, 31, a/k/a “Broly,” of Morganville, New Jersey; and Jacquelyn Dejesus, 41, of Bartow, Florida, are each charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of unlicensed firearms dealing. Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria and Rodriguez-Valpais are each additionally charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria and Dejesus are also charged with one count of unlawfully selling a firearm to an individual that they knew did not reside in their state of residence, namely Florida.

Quijada, Rodriguez-Valpais and Dejesus were arrested today are scheduled to appear by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zahid N. Quraishi. Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria and Waldin Espinosa-Ozoria remain at large,

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

From May 2020 through September 2020, Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria, Waldin Espinosa-Ozoria, Quijada, Rodriguez-Valpais, and Dejesus were members of a gun trafficking conspiracy that spanned from Florida to New Jersey. Dejesus allegedly assisted Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria – the alleged leader of the conspiracy – by acting as a “straw purchaser” of firearms in Florida. Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria and Dejesus then transported the firearms from Florida to Monmouth County, where Manuel Espinosa-Ozoria, assisted by Waldin Espinosa-Ozoria and Rodriguez-Valpais, allegedly sold the firearms to an individual working at the direction and supervision of the FBI. In addition, Rodriguez-Valpais allegedly sold a .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle to Quijada, who, in turn, allegedly sold the rifle to an individual working at the direction and supervision of the FBI.

The counts of conspiracy to engage in the business of unlicensed firearms dealing and unlawfully selling a firearm to an unlicensed resident of another state each carry a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., with the investigation leading to the charges and arrest. He also thanked the FBI Tampa Division, the ATF Newark and Tampa Field Divisions, and the Freehold Borough, New Jersey, Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensured that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information, please see: Project Guardian. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

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

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Defense counsel:Quijada: David Schafer Esq., Lawrenceville, New JerseyRodriguez-Valpais: Brian Reilly Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton

Dejesus: Bruce Throckmorton Esq., Trenton

• QuijadaEtAl.Complaint.pdf

November 8, 2020

BREAKING NEWS INFORMATION: From radio reports, witnesses and on scene reporting, an email was sent to the NJSP Public Information Office for official information once we have official information the story will be updated and any additions and corrections made.

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 12:30 pm a serious accident occurred, in the 100 Block of Stagecoach Road (CR 524) between Stillhouse Road and Charleston Spring Road. Millstone Township Fire Department, RWJ EMS, paramedics, NJSP and two helicopters were sent to the scene.

Not much is known about the accident but one person was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center by Hackensack Meridian Health helicopter and another person was transported to CentraState Medical Center by ground. An email was sent to the NJ State Police for official information and story will be updated once information is received.

Expect the roadway to be closed until the accident investigation is completed by the NJSP Serious Accident Investigation Unit.

November 8, 2020

BREAKING NEWS REPORT:

WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Around 11:15 am, West Windsor Emergency Services and Robbinsville Fire Department EMS were dispatched to Mercer County Park approximately 650 feet behind the Tennis Center for a unconscious male in the woods that hit a tree along the bike path.

The male subject was found along the bike path to the right of the tennis center. A “trauma alert” was immediately called and Capital Health Paramedics were also sent to the scene. West Windsor EMS called for a “gator” to help remove the person from the wooded area.

The victim was transported to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. No further information is available, if further information becomes available the story will be updated.

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August 5, 2020

ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Allentown Business Community Association has posted a notice on Facebook that the 2020 Fall Festival also known as the “Harvest Festival” is canceled this year due to COVID-19 concerns. See below:

THE 2020 HARVEST FESTIVAL IS OFFICIALLY CANCELLED.

After 35 consecutive years, the Allentown NJ Fall Harvest Festival will not be held this fall. The cancellation is due to the NJ statewide shut down. Our upmost concerns are for the safety of our community, our attendees and our businesses. We hope to see everyone again next year. Thank you and be safe.

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The matter is being treated as a possible bias crime and is still under investigation.

July 28, 2020

See other MidJersey.News story here: Possible Bias Crime-Vandalism At Houses Of Worship In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Middletown, NJ –Middletown Twp. Chief of Police R. Craig Weber announced an arrest in connection to a series of incidents of vandalism to a number of houses of worship within the township. Arrested on this date is Natalee A. Hamilton, 34, of Middletown. Hamilton is charged with four counts of Criminal Mischief, three counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and one count of Resisting Arrest.

“This series of crimes committed against houses of worship is deeply disturbing, especially as it occurred during the pandemic when so many people have relied upon their faith for comfort and support in these very difficult times.” stated Chief Weber. “I would like to acknowledge and commend our Detective Bureau for their dedication and outstanding investigative efforts in identifying and apprehending the individual responsible for these crimes.”

The locations victimized include Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 94 Tindall Road, New Monmouth Baptist Church at 4 Cherry Tree Farm Road, and Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 743 Leonardville Road. In each case of vandalism, the suspect smashed out the building windows with rocks. The vandalism first occurred at Westminster Presbyterian Church on June 1st. New Monmouth Baptist was vandalized on July 14th. All three houses of worship were attacked on July 19th, 2020. On Sunday July 26th, Westminster Presbyterian church was victimized a third time. The initial incidents occurred during overnight hours. However, the July 26th incident at Westminster Presbyterian Church happened during broad daylight, occurring at approximately 11:05a.m, while parishioners were still present at the church.

The charges stem from the attacks that occurred at the three locations on July 19th and the July 26th attack at Westminster Presbyterian Church. The defendant was processed and subsequently lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold.

The matter is being treated as a possible bias crime and is still under investigation by Detective First Class Darrin Simon. Any additional organization that may have been the victim of vandalism or anyone with information pertinent to this investigation is asked to call the Middletown Police Detective Bureau at (732) 615-2120.

Any persons arrested or charged with offenses are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Additionally, except in specific circumstances, arrest and complaint information and names of those charged may be released.

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July 27, 2020

JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)—On Sunday July 26, 2020 at approximately 8:30 pm, officers responded to a residence located on Mill Pond Road in the Whispering Hill neighborhood off of Leesville Road on the report of a suspicious incident. Upon arrival, officers spoke with numerous residents of the neighborhood who claimed that a residence on the street had been rented out to a group who were having a large party which was causing a disturbance in the neighborhood and also appeared to be in violation of Executive Order #156 in reference to the number of attendees.

Officers monitored the area and observed a large crowd at the residence. The homeowner was contacted and advised officers that he had rented out the residence on AirBnB and was hosting a large party. The homeowner then left the area as an estimated 200 additional people arrived at the residence and the party began to expand.

As additional people continued to arrive, the crowd at the residence grew to an estimate in excess of 700 people with well over 100 vehicles parked in the area as the department began receiving 911 calls from other homeowners in the area reporting disturbances and trespassing. Officers then began to clear the crowd from the residence and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office was contacted and authorized charges against the homeowner and party organizer for violating the Executive Order.

As the crowd grew in size, this took the effort of all of the on duty Jackson police officers who responded as the roads into the neighborhood were shut down because more party goers were still arriving. Officers from the Freehold Police Department, Howell Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and New Jersey State Police also responded to assist and clear the large crowd from the residence and direct traffic as people left the area.

During this time, the department received a 911 call from an Overlook Drive resident reporting that people who had left the Mill Pond Road party had broken into their residence and were damaging property. It was determined that a family member of the caller who had been at the original party had invited a large group from the party back to the residence. Additional officers responded and the unwanted group was then dispersed from this second residence.

It took until approximately 1:00 am for the officers to clear the residences of the party attendees and all of the vehicles from the neighborhood without any further incidents.

At the conclusion of the evening, the homeowner, who was identified as Yaakov Weiss, age 40 of Jackson and party organizers who were identified as Patience Guanue age, 23 and Alicia Hinneh, age 22, both of Newark, were issued summonses for violating the Governor’s Executive Order. The investigation is continuing and Jackson Code Enforcement was also notified of the incident so they could follow up.

– The media and the public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.