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Thursday, nov 28
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Franklin Township Police Department
Police & Fire
Arsonist Set Mattress On Fire, Displacing Residents At South Jersey Motel: Police
A man was accused of intentionally starting a fire at an Atlantic County motel, displacing tenants and causing extensive damage, authorities said. Shawn Negron, 31, was arrested on Monday, Nov. 25, the Franklin Township Police Department said in a news release. His address was listed as the Budget Lodge on South Harding Highway in the Landisville section of Buena. Franklin Township police responded to the fire at the motel at around 1:24 p.m. Initial reports indicated a room was engulfed in flames, with witnesses suggesting the blaze may have been intentionally started. Inve…
Police & Fire
South Jersey Man, 74, Dies 12 Days After Crashing Into Trees: Police
A Hammonton man died from his injuries nearly two weeks after crashing his SUV in Gloucester County, authorities said. Timothy Weatherby, 74, was pronounced dead on Monday, Oct. 21, the Franklin Township Police Department said in a news release. He was injured in a crash on the 1100 block of Tuckahoe Road at around 10:11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Investigators said Weatherby was driving north in a 1998 Jeep SUV when the vehicle left the road "for an unknown reason." A witness saw Weatherby's SUV crossed the center line, struck shrubs and trees, and stopped in the s…
Police & Fire
Teen Who Sped Away From Traffic Stop Crashed Into Tree, Died In South Jersey: State Police
A Millville teen was killed when he crashed his car after leaving the scene of a traffic stop, authorities said. Thomas Burch, 19, died from his injuries in the crash on Monday, July 15, a state police spokesperson said. Troopers responded to the scene near milepost 0.1 on County Route 655 South in Buena Vista Township at around 3:22 a.m. Investigators said Franklin Township police stopped Burch in a BMW on County Route 655. Burch sped away during the stop but he lost control of the car and went off the road to the right. Burch's car hit a tree and overturned, ejecting him from the BMW. It…
Police & Fire
South Jersey Woman Found With 950+ Pounds Of Marijuana, Other Drugs: Prosecutors
A Franklin Township woman was accused of having nearly 1,000 pounds of marijuana and other drugs, authorities said. Maria Santiago-Cossean, 55, was arrested, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release on Monday, June 3. Investigators executed a search warrant on her home on Thursday, May 30. Police found about 346 pounds of marijuana, 219 pounds of THC gummies, 121 pounds of THC food products, 97 pounds of THC resin, 90 pounds of vape cartridges, 70 pounds of THC candies, and eight pounds of psilocybin mushrooms. Officers also seized about $26,000 in cash and drug p…
Police & Fire
Sudden Death Of 'MVP' Police Detective Greg Wilson Shakes NJ Town
The Franklin Township (Somerset County) Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its own. Detective Greg Wilson died on Wednesday evening, Nov. 22, at the Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township, his obituary says. He was 47 years old. “Greg was one of our MVPs,” said Franklin Township Director of Public Safety, Quovella Maeweather. “He is definitely a part of our family and an intricate part of our department. This is a great loss in multiple ways.” Wilson was born on Nov. 15, 1976 in Summit and had been living in Flemington. He started as a patrolman with FTPD…
Police & Fire
Man Found Shot Dead A Week After Killing His Wife In South Jersey: Prosecutor
A man wanted in the Nov. 3 killing of his wife in Gloucester County died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday, Nov. 10, authorities said. On Wednesday, Nov. 8, a warrant was issued for Laurence D. Conner, 67, of Franklin Township, charging him with homicide and weapons offenses in the death of his 62-year-old wife, Karen, according to Chief Thomas Gilbert of the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office. "Wide-ranging efforts to locate and arrest Conner commenced without delay once charges were filed," Gilbert said in a press release. Conner was discovered dead from a self-inflict…
Police & Fire
South Jersey Man Gets Six Years For Having Exploitive Photos Of Children: Prosecutor
A South Jersey man who had explicit photos of children has been sentenced to six years in New Jersey State Prison, authorities said. Hector Soto, 50, of Minotola, was sentenced on Wednesday, Oct. 11 for child endangerment (sexual conduct), according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. He also previously pleaded guilty to possession of exploitive images of children stemming from his contact with a 13-year-old juvenile male in December 2014. Additionally, Soto will be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and be required to be on parole supervision …
Police & Fire
Dad Drowns After Saving Three Kids In Somerset County River
A 42-year-old dad has died a hero. UPDATE: Police ID Dad Who Drowned Saving Kids In Millstone River The South River dad went into the Millstone River and brought his children, ages 8, 11, and 13 to shore, around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, Franklin Township police said. He, however, struggled to maintain his balance. Thus began a search for the victim, as his children were treated at the scene and released without further medical attention. Members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office dive team found the man's body just before 5:30 p.m. His name was being withheld p…
Police & Fire
NJ Bus Monitor Charged In Death Of 6-Year-Old With Special Needs: Prosecutor
A New Jersey bus monitor has been arrested following the death of a 6-year-old girl who died during a bus ride this week, authorities said. Amanda Davila, 27, of New Brunswick, has been charged with second-degree Manslaughter, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, after fastening the harness of a child's wheelchair too tight, blocking her airway, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. An investigation found that Davila, who was assigned as the school bus monitor, had fastened the girl's 4-point harness that secures her to her wheelchair too "to become tight a…
Police & Fire
NJ Track Star Killed In 3-Car Somerset County Crash
Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal Somerset County crash as a 23-year-old high school graduate and track star. Mario Heslop, of New Brunswick, was behind the wheel of a 2013 Infiniti Q50S heading eastbound in the left lane of Hamilton Street when he crossed the centerline around 5:30 p.m. in Franklin Township on Monday, June 19, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Heslop struck a westbound vehicle in the left lane, at the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue, McDonald said. The second vehicle, driven by a Hillsborough resident, was then struck from the rear by a th…
Lifestyle
Motorcyclist Who Lost Leg In South Jersey Crash Sees Support, Thanks Cop Who Did 'God’s Work'
Support is on the rise for a South Jersey motorcyclist who was airlifted with critical injuries in a crash and later sent sincere thanks to the officer who saved his life. James McPherson lost his left leg from the knee down following the crash on Sunday, May 28, according to a GoFundMe launched for his medical expenses. Love you James Mc ❤️ ♥️ Please share 🙏 Posted by Chrissy Carrow on Monday, May 29, 2023 “James has always been the person to drop whatever he’s doing and help any one of his friends at the drop of a dime,” reads the campaign, launched by a friend the day afterward. “An…
Police & Fire
South Jersey Man's Fingerprint Found On Duct Tape In Home Invasion Robbery: Prosecutor
A 46-year-old man from Atlantic County was convicted of robbery in an armed home invasion, authorities said. An Atlantic County jury found Michael Hayes, of Absecon, guilty of a total of 15 charges on Tuesday, June 6, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. The jury heard evidence that weeks leading up to the incident, Hayes conspired with an unknown accomplice to rob the victim, the prosecutor said. On Sept. 15, 2020, Hayes and his accomplice waited outside the victim’s house in Buena Borough with masks on and confronted him at gunpoint as he left to go t…
Police & Fire
South Jersey Man Admits Having Sexual Contact With Young Boy: Prosecutor
A 50-year-old Atlantic County man has admitted having sexual contact with a 13-year-old boy, authorities said. Hector Soto of Minotola pleaded guilty on Thursday, June 1 to endangering the welfare of a child (sexual conduct), as well as possession of exploitive images of children, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said. The charges stem from his contact with a 13-year-old boy in December 2014, the prosecutor said. The plea agreement calls for six years in New Jersey State Prison, the prosecutor said. Additionally, Soto will be required to register as a sex offender un…
Police & Fire
Attempted
Murder
: NJ Man Shot Car Twice In Road Rage Incident Near 287 Ramp, Prosecutor Says
A Somerset County driver has been charged with attempted murder after becoming “irate” and firing two rounds at another vehicle during a road rage incident earlier this month, authorities announced. Gerald S. Chapman, 39, of Ulysses Road in Somerset, was charged with first-degree attempted murder and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Tuesday, May 23. Investigators say Chapman “became irate” during a road rage incident on Easton Avenue near the 287 ramp in Franklin Township around 4:50 p.m. on Friday, May 5. …
Police & Fire
PSE&G Worker Killed, Suspect Dead In Somerset County: Prosecutor
An employee at PSE&G was fatally shot before the suspect — a former worker — apparently died by suicide in Somerset County, authorities said. Gary T. Curtis, 58, of Washington, is believed to have shot Russell D. Heller, 51, of Milford, around 7 a.m. at the company's headquarters on Weston Canal Road, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Emergency Medical Personnel from an area Trauma Center responded to the scene where Heller was pronounced dead. Curtis was found by detectives having suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 10:20 a.m., in a parking lot in Bridgewate…
Police & Fire
Murder
: Charges Upgraded For Ex-Marine In NJ Sports Bar Shooting, Police Say
Charges against a former US Marine have been upgraded to murder after the victim who he shot in the head outside of a New Jersey sports bar died, authorities confirmed. Walter J. Gilliano, 25, of Franklinville, was initially charged with attempted murder, after he shot 31-year-old Chad Stuart in the head outside of Villari's Sports Bar around 4:45 a.m. Saturday, according to the Franklin Township Police Department. Stuart died on Sept. 27, when he became an organ donor, and Gilliano's charges were subsequently upgraded, police confirmed. According to Gilliano's LinkedIn profile and people…
Police & Fire
Horse Dead, Teen Girl Hurt In South Jersey Hit-Run Crash: Police
A horse was killed and its 14-year-old rider hurt in a hit-and-run crash in Gloucester County, authorities said. The crash occurred at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13 on Monroeville Road in Franklin Township, police said. A girl from Sicklerville was riding along the westbound shoulder when they were struck by an unidentified older-model, light-colored pickup truck, police said. A 21-year-old man from Camden was riding a second horse but was not hurt. The truck also was traveling westbound. The girl was taken to Cooper Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The…
Police & Fire
NJ Murder Suspect Who Dumped Body In Woods Nabbed In Philadelphia: Prosecutor
A man who shot his victim and then apparently dumped his victim's body in a wooded area of Central Jersey was captured nearly two years later in Philadelphia, authorities announced. Juaquan S. Fitzgerald, 33, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Duane S. Banks, 27, whose body was found in a wooded area in Franklin Township on April 29, 2020, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Banks' body was found in a wooded area toward the back of a home near Park Street around 6:40 p.m. that day, police said. The medical examiner's office rule…
Police & Fire
Some Details Released In Death Of 2-Year-Old Pulled From Hot Car In NJ
Authorities have disclosed some details surrounding the death of a 2-year-old girl pulled from a hot car Tuesday, Aug. 30. An off-duty firefighter and neighbor was performing CPR on the toddler when authorities arrived at the scene on Summerall Road in Franklin Township around 2:20 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Officers assisted in life-saving measures until Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital ALS and BLS medics arrived and took over. The girl was pronounced deceased at the scene. It was not clear exactly how long the girl had been in the car. The circumstan…
Police & Fire
Woman Escapes Hour-Long Hotel Hostage Situation With Kids In Room: Somerset Prosecutor
A 39-year-old Georgia man was drunk when he became angry and held woman at gunpoint for nearly an hour in a Central Jersey hotel room in front of her children, then shot her, authorities said. The victim, 37, was ultimately able to escape from Eder Gelin with gunshot wounds to her foot and hip, as he chased her from a room at a World's Fair Drive hotel in Franklin Township around 1:25 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Gelin, who knew the victim, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, weapon possession and child endangerment …
Police & Fire
Motorcyclist Killed In Central Jersey Crash Was Aspiring Mechanic
Nelisson De La Rosa was just more than a year out of high school and had a bright future ahead of him, those who knew him said. He was an aspiring mechanic and, no matter the circumstance, had a positive attitude. The 19-year-old Franklin Township resident died in a Somerset crash Wednesday, July 20, leaving his single dad to grieve the loss of yet another son. More than $6,800 had been raised as of Thursday, July 21 on a GoFundMe to help bring his body to the Dominican Republic, where his mother lives. De La Rosa collided with a Toyota Camry turning left on Easton Avenue …
Police & Fire
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor
A 25-year-old woman wanted on warrants out of multiple Central Jersey towns arrested for leading a Route 202 police pursuit before crashing, authorities said. Police tried stopping Jerrie Lee Williams, of Bound Brook, around 11:05 p.m. in Branchburg when they noticed she had an expired registration, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Williams failed to stop when signaled by the officer activating his emergency police lights and siren, McDonald said. Instead, she fled on Holland Brook Road at a high rate of speed. The officer deactivated his police emergency l…
Police & Fire
Bridgewater Motorcyclist, 43, Killed In Crash With Pickup Truck
A 43-year-old motorcyclist from Bridgewater was killed in a crash with a pickup truck, authorities confirmed. Luis Ruiz was riding a 2014 Harley Davidson northbound on Canal Road near Elm Street in Franklin when he collided with a 2019 Ford F250 pickup truck heading southbound around 8:25 p.m. on Monday, June 6, township police said. Ruiz was treated at the scene before being taken to a local trauma center, where he was pronounced dead around 9:40 p.m. Princeton resident Octaviano Chavez, 56, was behind the wheel of the truck, which was towing an enclosed trailer, authorities said. Canal …
Police & Fire
Update
: Missing Somerset County Woman, 29, Found Safe
UPDATE: Dover has been located and is safe, authorities confirmed. --------------------------- Seen her? Authorities in Somerset County are seeking the public’s help locating an endangered 29-year-old woman who has been missing for more than a week. Shekinah D. Dover, of Franklin Township, was last seen walking on Grove Street towards Main Street in Somerville around 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 29, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said in a release with local officials on Tuesday, June 7. She was reported missing to the Franklin Township police department by her mother arou…
Police & Fire
NJ Police Officer Was Drunk In Deadly Warren County Crash: Prosecutor
A 46-year-old police officer in New Jersey was arrested for driving drunk in a deadly crash earlier this year in Washington Township (Warren County), authorities said. Lawrence Stiscia, a patrol officer with the Franklin Township Police Department in Somerset County, had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.201 percent when he fatally struck a motorcyclist on March 18 on northbound Route 31, according to the Warren County Prosecutor's Office. The federal limit for driving legally is 0.08 percent blood alcohol content. An investigation determined that Stiscia ran into the back of the mo…
Police & Fire
Composite Sketch Of Suspect Who Tried Sexually Assaulting NJ Runner Released
Authorities have released a composite sketch of the bicyclist who hopped off to tackle a female runner to the ground and sexually assault her in Somerset County. The victim called 911 around 6 p.m. Monday, May 16 detailing the incident near Blackwells Mills Road and Canal Road in Franklin Township, Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. The victim was able to fight her attacker and escape from the assault, authorities said. The victim described the suspect as a Hispanic male approximately 5’6” to 5’7”, heavier build, approximately mid 30’s, wearing black pa…
Police & Fire
Woman Gave False Report In Deadly NJ Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutor
The driver who struck and killed a pedestrian earlier this year was arrested, as was a woman who lied about the incident to police, authorities in Central Jersey said. Raulito Peralta, 22, of Highland Park, struck and killed New Brunswick's Treasa M. Daye-Fennie while she was crossing a street in Franklin Township last February, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Estrella Caballero-Cruz, 21, of Highland Park, was charged with providing a false report to police. Daye-Fennie was crossing Somerset Street near High Street around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22, wh…
Police & Fire
Woman Struck, Killed By Hit-Run Driver In Somerset County, Prosecutor Says
A woman was struck and killed by a driver who fled the scene earlier this week, authorities announced. Treasa M. Daye-Fennie, 50, was crossing Somerset Street near High Street in Franklin Township when a southbound vehicle struck her and fled the scene just before 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said in Friday release. Daye-Fennie, of New Brunswick, was pronounced dead at the scene, Chirichella said. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Offic…
Schools
Somerset County MS Student Charged After Circulating False Threats On Social Media: Prosecutor
A 13-year-old Somerset County middle school student was charged after circulating false threats on social media, authorities said. The Franklin Township Middle School student allegedly sent text messages threatening a violent act at the Franklin Middle School Hamilton Street Campus for the next day, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said in a Thursday release. The local police department and school detectives conducted a search and determined that the threats were not credible, Robertson said. A follow-up investigation found that the student sent the messages as a prank, auth…
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