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Ex-Con, Teen Nabbed In Double Shooting That Killed Alleged South Jersey Drug Dealer Ex-Con, Teen Nabbed In Double Shooting That Killed Alleged South Jersey Drug Dealer
Ex-Con, Teen Nabbed In Double Shooting That Killed Alleged South Jersey Drug Dealer A South Jersey ex-con and teenager were captured by members of the U.S. Marshals and a regional task force for their roles in a home invasion robbery and shooting that left one woman dead last year, authorities said Wednesday. Semaj T. Pittman, 21, of Willingboro and a teenager from Evesham were charged with murder, robbery other related offenses in the February 2020 incident that killed 22-year-old Karla Winkler and injured her 24-year-old Philadelphia boyfriend, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said. Police responding to The Arbors apartments in Maple Shade on reports of a …

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Camden Dealer Admits Selling Fatal Fentanyl-Cocaine Dose To Maple Shade Woman, Prosecutor Says Camden Dealer Admits Selling Fatal Fentanyl-Cocaine Dose To Maple Shade Woman, Prosecutor Says
Camden Dealer Admits Selling Fatal Fentanyl-Cocaine Dose To Maple Shade Woman, Prosecutor Says A 23-year-old man from Camden has admitted to selling fentanyl-laced cocaine that caused the overdose death of a Burlington County woman, authorities said. Marquese Smith pleaded guilty on Thursday in Superior Court to first-degree strict liability for a drug-induced death, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina. Under a plea agreement, Smith faces eight years in state prison when he is sentenced on Aug. 12, Coffina said. An investigation began in June 2019 when Maple Shade police responded to the Ryan Run West Apartment Complex and found the body of 33-year-old Kristi Ven…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Suspended South Jersey Volunteer Fire Department Fights To Stay Open Suspended South Jersey Volunteer Fire Department Fights To Stay Open
Suspended South Jersey Volunteer Fire Department Fights To Stay Open A South Jersey volunteer fire department that's been temporarily suspended is fighting to stay open. Maple Shade VFD had services have been suspended for 90 days, according to CBS3.  But the firefighters say there's no reason for the department to be closed. "By suspending operations, the township is putting all the residents of this town in danger," the department said on Facebook.  "It will require surrounding towns to respond to Maple Shade to handle and emergencies that may occur. This will increase the time that is required to respond to emergencies in town especially if th…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Bedridden Burlington Rehab Patient Dies, Roommate Charged After Violent Attack Bedridden Burlington Rehab Patient Dies, Roommate Charged After Violent Attack
Bedridden Burlington Rehab Patient Dies, Roommate Charged After Violent Attack A 51-year-old rehabilitation center patient has been charged with murder after his elderly roommate died of injuries suffered in a violent attack, authorities said. The older victim could not walk or talk.  David P. Lake, 51, remains in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly, where he was taken on Jan. 19 after being arrested for the brutal assault on Melvyn Waldo, 78, with whom he shared a room at The Palace Rehabilitation and Care Center in Maple Shade, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Maple Shade Police Chief Christopher J. Fletcher. An inves…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: South Jersey Nephew, 23, Fatally Shot His Great-Uncle On Trenton Couch, Stole Money Prosecutor: South Jersey Nephew, 23, Fatally Shot His Great-Uncle On Trenton Couch, Stole Money
Prosecutor: South Jersey Nephew, 23, Fatally Shot His Great-Uncle On Trenton Couch, Stole Money A 23-year-old man from Burlington County has been arrested in last week's theft and shooting death of his great-uncle, authorities said. Davon Marecheau of Maple Shade was charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and theft, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri.  Last Thursday, Feb. 25, at about 9:30 a.m., Trenton Emergency Medical Services were called to 407 Home Ave. in Trenton on a report of an unresponsive man.  Upon arrival, they found 60-year-old Lovelle Laramore on the couch wi…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: South Jersey HR Boss Stole $614K From SEA BOX Employer, Spent Some On Enlarged Butt Prosecutor: South Jersey HR Boss Stole $614K From SEA BOX Employer, Spent Some On Enlarged Butt
Prosecutor: South Jersey HR Boss Stole $614K From SEA BOX Employer, Spent Some On Enlarged Butt A 41-year-old human resources manager from Burlington County has been arrested for stealing more than $614,000 from her employer, authorities said. She spent the stolen money on a variety of personal items including overseas travel and buying a "buttock augmentation" for herself and a friend at a Las Vegas plastic surgery center, they said. Karen O’Brien of South Church Road in Maple Shade was charged with theft by unlawful taking and computed related activity for the purpose of executing a scheme to defraud, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Cinnaminson T…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: Rehab Center Patient, 78, Critical After Violent Attack By Roommate Prosecutor: Rehab Center Patient, 78, Critical After Violent Attack By Roommate
Prosecutor: Rehab Center Patient, 78, Critical After Violent Attack By Roommate A 51-year-old rehabilitation center patient has been charged with trying to kill his elderly roommate who remains in critical condition, Burlington County authorities said. David P. Lake, 51, was taken into custody on Tuesday at The Palace Rehabilitation and Care Center in Maple Shade, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Maple Shade Police Chief Christopher J. Fletcher. Lake has been charged with first-degree attempted murder after severely beating his 78-year-old roommate at the care facility where they reside on West Mill Road, Coffina and Fletcher said. The …

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: Maple Shade Duo Sold Meth That Killed South Jersey Man, 38 Prosecutor: Maple Shade Duo Sold Meth That Killed South Jersey Man, 38
Prosecutor: Maple Shade Duo Sold Meth That Killed South Jersey Man, 38 A pair of Maple Shade residents have been arrested in connection with the methamphetamine death of a Burlington County man about a year ago. Joshua Lanigan, 39, and Jeanine Hughes, 44, both were charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death, drug dealing and drug possession felonies, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Medford Township Police Chief Richard J. Meder. The drug-dealing duo allegedly sold a fatal dose of meth to Andrew Shelley, 38, at his Medford Township home in mid February 2020. Shelley disappeared and was reported missing by his …

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
NJ Man Known As 'Wild Willie' Sentenced For Shooting Neighbor's Dog In Head NJ Man Known As 'Wild Willie' Sentenced For Shooting Neighbor's Dog In Head
NJ Man Known As 'Wild Willie' Sentenced For Shooting Neighbor's Dog In Head A 65-year-old New Jersey man known as "Wild Willie" was sentenced to five years in state prison for shooting his neighbor's poodle in the head, ultimately killing the animal, authorities said. William D. Stroemel had his sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Gerard H. Breland as the result of a negotiated plea deal, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said. Stroemel, a heavy equipment operator, in April pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and animal cruelty. The investigation began in September 2019, when the owners of a 9-year-old Pom…

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by Cecilia Levine
Schools
COVID-19 Tears Through Central Jersey Schools COVID-19 Tears Through Central Jersey Schools
Covid-19 Tears Through Central Jersey Schools COVID-19 is surging in several Central Jersey schools this month. Mount Laurel schools went remote Dec. 4, due to a "sharp increase" in cases. In-person learning will resume Jan. 15, district officials said. "In further consultation with the New Jersey Department of Health’s (NJDOH) risk matrix, while in the High Risk 'Orange,' zone, our local conditions warrant our schools switch to full time remote learning," Superintendent George J. Rafferty said. "According to health officials, in the immediate and near future infection rates are expected to continue to climb into the winter break…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Condominium Fire Leaves 12 Families Homeless In Burlington County Condominium Fire Leaves 12 Families Homeless In Burlington County
Condominium Fire Leaves 12 Families Homeless In Burlington County A fire ripped through a condominium complex in Burlington County early Thursday, leaving dozens of people without housing, authorities said. The fire caused  extensive damage to 12 units at the Valley Glen condos in Maple Shade, according to reports. All.but one resident escaped the fire safely. That person was treated for smoke inhalation, officials said. The Red Cross was helping to relocate displaced residents. Firefighters from several towns were called about 3:45 a.m. and battled the blaze for hours.  They were still dousing hot spots about 9 a.m.

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Browns Mills Fugitive Faces 8 Years In State Prison For Fentanyl Death Of Pemberton Woman, 21 Browns Mills Fugitive Faces 8 Years In State Prison For Fentanyl Death Of Pemberton Woman, 21
Browns Mills Fugitive Faces 8 Years In State Prison For Fentanyl Death Of Pemberton Woman, 21 A 38-year-old fugitive from Browns Mills has admitted to causing the fatal drug overdose of a 21-year-old woman from Burlington County, authorities said.  Terrance D. Walker, 38, of Liberty Street pleaded guilty to Tessa McCullough's drug-Induced death for supplying fentanyl-laced heroin to her in May 2019, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said on Friday afternoon. Walker faces ip to eight years in state prison under his plea agreement made before Superior Court Judge Philip E. Haines, Coffina said. Walker is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 30, the prosecutor sai…

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by Jon Craig