Police Blotter - May 2010
A report of a suspicious vehicle parked on York Drive brought Officer Gray, who detected the odor of marijuana. A search of the car revealed a marijuana pipe, a joint, a three bags of pot. The driver, an 18-year-old Skillman man, and three juveniles were arrested for possession of marijuana, being under the influence of marijuana, and possession of marijuana.
Following a single-car accident after mid-night on March 13 ata curve on Rt. 601 near Pleasant View Rd., an 18-year-old Hillsborough man was arrested for DUI. His car spun into the oncoming lane and hit a tree headon. He injured his knee but declined medical attention. The driver was charged with DUI, failure to keep right, violating his provisional license while driving after hours, and underaged DUI.
On March 17 at 11:02, MTPD responded to a single-car accident on RT. 605 off Blue Spring Rd and found an empty SUV, which had struck a telephone pole. Officers found the driver, a 38-year-old Township man, at his home a few minutes later, and determined that he had been drinking. He was arrested for DUI, and taken to UMCP for treatment of a cut chin. His heavily damaged vehicle was impounded, and he was charged with failure to maintain a lane, failure to report an accident, and leaving the scene of an accident. He was released ROR.
A 46-year-old North Brunswick man was killed on March 21, when he lost control of his motorcycle while driving on Rt. 518 near Provinceline Rd. He had been seen earlier passing cars on the right hand side, and is thought to have failed to make the S-turn at the intersection. His bike hit a sign post, a telephone pole, and guy wires. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Rt 518 was closed for about four hours during the police accident investigation. MTPD, Hopewell Township PD, MEMS, Montgomery Fire Co. #2, and Somerset MICU responded. Township Police ask any witnesses to contact Sgt. Robert Mitchell at 908-874-3333.
Spring must be the season for getting high and getting caught: a 21-year-old Robbinsville woman was arrested for possession of marijuana and possessionof paraphernalia after Township officers found her and a friend in her car after hours in a closed park. A search found less than 50 grams of dope and a small glass pipe. The driver was arrested and released ROR pending a court appearance.
On March 23, a 30-year-old Township resident was arrested by Officer Timothy Giaccone, who stopped a car on Orchard Rd. for speeding. He detected the odor of burning pot while talking with the driver, and searched the cra, finding a plastic vial of marijuana. The driver wastaken to Police HQ and charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, a tickets for speeding and possession of drugs in a motor vehicle.
MTPD responded to a three-car accident on March 25 at 8:45 pm when a 44-year-old Belle Mead woman, attempting to turn onto Devon Drive, turned too wide, striking another car. She then crossed Rt. 206 and hit a third car, driven by a Skillman driver who was stopped on Rt. 206 south, waiting for the light to change. There were no injuries, but the first driover was ticketed for careless driving. Indeed.
On March 31, MTPD, MEMS, and Fire Company #2 responded to an accident at the intersection of Opossum Rd. and Orchard Rd. A westbound 51-year-old Skillman driver hit a car driven by a 23-year-old Pennington driver, who had been traveling north on Opossum Rd., but failed to stop at the intersection. The first driver was taken to UMCP with injuries, but the second driver, who was ticketed for failure to yield, and her passenger were uninjured. Both cars had to be towed.
Another March 31 two-car accident at Rt. 206 near Tamarack Circle resulted in an injury when a car driven by a 30-year-old Laurence Harbor woman was rear-ended by a car driven by a 44-year-old Branchburg woman. The first driver complained of neck and back pain and was taken to UMCP by MEMS. The second driver was ticketed for careless driving.
Township Police arrested a 23-year-old Belle Mead woman on April 7 after spotting her walking from a wooded area near Rt. 206. She was had outstanding warrants from Old Bridge and Franklin Townships She was sent to Middlesex County after she was unable to post bail.
Montgomery Fire Company #2 put out a fire in a truck at the Wyckoff Farm on Rt. 601 on April 2 at 8:25 am. The truck was fully engulfed in flames, which caused minor damage to a second truck parked nearby. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A southbound 52-year-old Trenton driver rear-ended a motorcyclist in heavy traffic on April 8 at 7:23 am on Rt. 206 near Tamarack Circle. No injuries were reported, but the first driver was ticketed for carless driving.
On April 15, MTPD, MEMS, Montgomery Fire Companies #1 and 2, Rockly Hill Fire Company, and units from Hillsborough and Hopewell responded to a smoky house fire on Opossum Rd at 2:32 pm. The 71-year-old resident reported that she heard the smoke detector go off when she was in her basement. Investigating, she found that a heat lamp she was using to incubate a cardboard box full of chicks set fire to the box. She was unable to but out the fire, and called 911. Arriving units found flames visible at a rear window near the corner of the house. The fire was put out after an hour. No injuries were reported.
MTPD Road checkpoints during 2010
The Montgomery Police Department in conjunction with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Mobile Inspection Team will be conducting 4 checkpoints during the 2010 calendar year. Beginning at 8:00 AM and ending at 2:00 PM, the operation stages on State Highway Route 206 south of County Route 518. Officers focus on vehicle inspection issues, but drivers can be stopped for all visible motor vehicle infractions. Inspection violators may be issued a summons and forwarded to the MVC inspectors where their vehicles are subjected to a battery of tests. Other offenders are issued summonses and depending on the violation continue on their way.
Checkpoints are scheduled for April 8th, August 18th, September 15th, and October 14th.
2 ARRESTED IN MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP ARMED ROBBERY
Somerville – Acting Somerset County Prosecutor A. Peter DeMarco, Jr.,
Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of Detectives Stuart
Buckman, and Montgomery Township Police Director Robert Palmer announce that detectives from the Montgomery Township Police Department in conjunction with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Squad have arrested Vincent F. Caputo Jr., age 20, of Kingsley Road, Kendall Park, New Jersey and Krystin N. Donahue, age 24, of Falcongate Drive, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey for an armed robbery which occurred on Symes Drive (Pike Run Development), Montgomery Township, New Jersey on Monday, August 9, 2010.
Acting Prosecutor DeMarco stated that on Monday, August 9, 2010 at approximately 6:45 p.m. Montgomery Township Police responded to a reported armed robbery which occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Symes Drive in Montgomery Township. The victim, a 19 year old Belle Mead resident reported to police that he along with another victim, an 18 year old Belle Mead resident met with defendants Caputo and Donahue at a parking lot on Symes Drive. Both victims were instructed to enter the rear seat of an orange Jeep vehicle which was being driven by defendant Donahue. Defendant Donahue then proceeded to drive on Symes Drive as defendant Caputo retrieved a folding knife out of his pants and ordered the victims to empty their pockets. Defendant Caputo took approximately $200 dollars in cash from the 19 year old victim and $28 dollars in cash from the 18 year old victim as well as a prescription bottle containing prescription medication.
Acting Prosecutor DeMarco stated that after the robbery defendant Donahue stopped the vehicle and defendant Caputo ordered both victims out of the vehicle. Responding Montgomery police officers initiated a county wide broadcast of the vehicle. The victims were able to provide detectives with descriptions and vital information which subsequently led to the identification and arrest of both defendants.
On Tuesday, August 10, 2010 detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Squad along with detectives from the Montgomery Township Police Department and police officers from the South Brunswick Police Department responded to a residence on Falcongate Drive, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey where they located defendants Caputo and Donahue. Both defendants were arrested without incident. Detectives subsequently conducted a search of the residence after being granted consent by the homeowner. Evidential items were seized at defendant Donahue’s residence. Defendants Caputo and Donahue were both charged with two counts of first degree robbery, two counts of third degree Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and two counts of fourth degree Unlawful possession of a weapon.
Acting Prosecutor DeMarco stated that Defendants Caputo and Donahue were lodged at the Somerset County Jail with bail set by the Honorable Paul W. Armstrong J.S.C. at $100,000 cash only for each defendant.
Acting Prosecutor DeMarco, Acting Chief Buckman, and Police Director Palmer request anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, or the Montgomery Township Police Department at 908-359-3222, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All calls will be kept confidential.
Police Advisory: Home & Car Break-ins, Precautions Advised
Acting Somerset County Prosecutor A. Peter DeMarco, Jr., Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Acting Chief of Detectives Stuart Buckman, and Montgomery Township Police Director Robert E. Palmer announce that detectives from the Montgomery Township Police Department in conjunction with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit are actively investigating a home invasion robbery which occurred at a residence located on South Wiggins Lane, Montgomery Township, New Jersey.
Acting Prosecutor DeMarco stated that at approximately 5:47 a.m. this (Monday) morning Montgomery Township Police responded to a 9-1-1 call received from a homeowner reporting that she was robbed inside her residence. Montgomery Township Police Officers responded to the residence and met with the victim, age 67, who was unharmed. The victim reported to police that while sleeping in her bedroom she was awakened by an unknown male intruder who subsequently ordered the victim to give him money and jewelry. The victim complied with the intruder's demands by handing him an undisclosed amount of money and jewelry. The intruder then ordered the homeowner into a bedroom closet as he fled from the residence in an unknown direction of travel.
Acting Prosecutor DeMarco, Acting Chief Buckman, and Police Director Palmer request that if anyone saw anything suspicious, such as individuals or vehicles on or around South Wiggins Way this (Monday) morning to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, or the Montgomery Township Police Department at 908-359-3222, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either "Crime Stoppers" or "TIPS HOTLINE". All calls will be kept confidential.
Montgomery Township Police add the following: Seven unlocked cars were entered, and various items stolen in the same area during the same Sunday night/Monday morning period.
The Montgomery Township Police Department urges all residents to take prudent precautions to secure their homes and vehicles. Any suspicious activity should be immediately reported to the police department.
If residents have any questions they can contact the Montgomery Township Police Department Community Policing Unit, Acting Lt. Mitchell @ 908-533-9196. Thank you.
Dog Attack in Van Horne Park
Rocky Hill Borough Acting Borough Clerk Rebecca Newman reports that a dopg being walked by his owner was attacked by two Rhodesian Ridgebacks in Van Horne Park. The attack was sometime during early June.
The two dogs apparently broke free from their owners, two women, and attacked his dog. The two women indicated that they were Rocky Hill residents, but Ms. Newman says that the dogs do not appear to have been registered in the Borough. The owners were driving a red SUV. If anyone has information regarding these dogs or their owners, Ms. Newman asks that they contact her at 609-924-7445.
13 MHS Students Arrested On June 15
Someone must have been reading our MHS story last month: 13 MHS students were arrested on June 15, 3 adults and five juveniles, during three separate incidents off of school grounds after school let out that day.
The first was at 1:46 pm, when a bike patrol officer found two students, 1 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, smoking dope near a park off of Harvard Circle. They were charged with possession of CDS; the older defendant was charged with possession of CDS paraphernalia.
The second was at 3:32 pm, when Township officers saw three juveniles, aged 15, 16 and 17, and three adults, aged 18, smoking dope in the woods off of Princeton Avenue. They were all charged with possession of CDS; one of the adults was also charged with third degree possession of a prescription medication.
The third was at 6:57 pm, in a wooded area off of Manor Dr., after MTPD received a report of groups of youths who appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Officers responded and located four juveniles, aged 15, 16 and 17, and one adult, aged 18. All were charged with possession of CDS and being under the influence of CDS. Parents of all the juveniles were contacted. The adult defendants were released ROR.
Police Blotter - July/Aug 2010
There were a number of car accidents towards the end of April, including yet another single-car accident at the Belle Mead Bridge on April 24, reported at 2:03 am. Arriving officers found a car on its roof, lying on the grass next to the southbound lane of Rt. 206. The 17-year-old driver, a Millstone resident, and his 18-year-old passenger were found standing next to the wreck. Both were treated for injuries by MEMS at the scene, but then taken to UMCP, suffering from neck pain and lacerations. However, a third passenger scarpered by the time officers arrived. Offices found that the northbound driver had failed to negotiate the turn at the bridge, lost control, crossed into the southbound lane, and then rolled. He was charged with DUI, underage driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to keep right, possessing an open container of alcohol, violating a learner’s permit, being an unlicensed driver, and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. All that was missing was a charge of being stupid in a public place. Later that morning, Hillsborough Township Police notified MTPD that they had located the third man – not Orson Welles – but an 18-year-old Hillsborough resident, who was being treated for facial injuries.
A wet roadway caused another single-car the following day on Cherry Valley Rd. when a westbound 50-year-old Brick Township woman lost control of her car and hit a tree. There were no reported injuries. She was ticketed with careless driving.
Township Police arrested a 30-year-old Manalapan man for DUI on May 23 after Officer William Wilkes stopped the southbound driver on Benjamin Blvd. for equipment violation. The driver was found to be intoxicated and was charged with DUI and failure to maintain lamps.
A Click It or Ticket stop on May 24 at 8:33 am on Rt. 206 resulted in the arrest of two 22-year-old Trenton men for possession of marijuana under 50 grams. Neither driver nor passenger was seen to be wearing a seatbelt. When Officer Bet stopped the car for seatbelt violations, he detected the odor of burning pot, and a search revealed a marijuana “blunt” (cigar) and a bag of dope. Both were charged with possession, and the driver was charged with driving with a suspended license, possession of CDS in a car, failure to inspect, and failure to wear a seatbelt. The passenger was also charged with failure to wear a seatbelt.
Car burglars have been hitting pay dirt recently in Township driveways. MTPD cautions drivers to keep their cars locked even in their own driveways. On May 26 numerous unlocked cars were entered unlawfully on Belle Mead-Griggstown Rd., Ellis Dr., Bunker Dr., Van Doren Way, and Hoagland Dr. Someone stole electronic devices, loose change, and sunglasses.
Three people were arrested for defiant trespass on May 30 after Township officers found an empty car parked at the ever-popular weirdo magnet, Skillman Village. Arrested were a 40-year-old Freehold woman, and two juveniles, a 16-year-old female and a 16-year-old male. Each one teach one.
A 19-year-old Hillsborough man and a 19-year-old Bordentown man were arrested on May 31 for possession of marijuana under 50 grams after they werer fund in a car parked in Hobler Park after hours. The pot was found in plain sight. Both were charged with possession, disorderly persons, possession of drug paraphernalia, and Township Park Ordinance violation.
Officer Perry arrested a 20-year-old Titusville man on May 28 after stopping the car for a dead brake light on Rt. 518. He detected the odor of marijuana coming from the car while talking with the driver. County K-9 dogs were called in, and they indicated the presence of more pot. A search with a warrant disclosed more marijuana, and a blunt. The driver was ticketed with failure to maintain lamps, lack of an insurance card, and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle.
Someone stole eight slate bench tops, valued at $1,500, from an office building on Rt. 518 near Bloomberg Dr. The loss was sometime between May 28 and June 1.
A Carrier Clinic staffer reported that a juvenile patient punched him in the face, giving him a split lip on June 1. The Juvenile Division was reviewing the case pending a charge of simple assault.
MTPD Officer Balinski, working at a PSEG repair site on RT. 518 near Springhill Rd. on June 1, saw a 48-year-old Township man drive through the construction area in a reckless manner and go off the roadway, nearly hitting a pole on June 1. This would have added considerably to the PSEG job order. The driver was stopped and failed a field sobriety test with flying colors. He was arrested for reckless driving, failure to maintain a single lane, failure to yield to emergency vehicles, and DWI.
On June 3, Township officers found a car parked sideways in the middle of Country Club Dr. The vehicle had moderate damage along the passenger side, as well as a flat front right tire. The driver, a 39-year-old, denied being involved. Nevertheless, he was charged with DWI, careless driving, reckless driving, failure to report an accident, leaving the scene of an accident, hindering apprehension, and was tossed into the County Jail on a $1,000 warrant.
MTPD and MEMS responded to a June 3 accident at 4:56 pm, on Rt. 518 at Applegate Rd. A 23-year-old Monmouth Junction woman was attempting to turn left from Applegate on Rt. 518 when her car was hit by a southbound driver, 66-year-old Princeton woman, on Rt. 518. Both drivers were injured and were taken to UMCP by MEMS. The first driver was ticketed for failure to yield at an intersection and for being an unlicensed driver.
Township officers ticketed a 41-year-old Bridgewater resident on June 3 following a car accident at the Nassau Tennis Club on June 3, after she hit a car next to her while trying to park. The other car had a 40-year-old Hillsborough driver with two children with her, both uninjured. The first driver was summonsed for careless driving and for not having her seven-year-old son in a seatbelt.
A drunken 20-year-old Franklin Twp. man, managed to hits three parked cars at a cul-de-sac on Sandpiper Court on June 4 at 12:435 pm. Arriving officers arrested him for DWI, underage DWI, careless driving, leaving the scene, and failure to report an accident.
On June 7, MEMS, MTPD, and Fire Company #2 responded to a single car accident on Rt. 518, west of Opossum Rd after a westbound 31-year-old New Hope driver lost control of his car and drove head-on into a telephone pole. He refused treatment at the scene by MEMS. A small fire at the scene had to be put out. The driver was charged with DUI, failure to maintain a lane, failure to produce a registration, and driving while suspended.
The Upper School was closed for several hours on June 7 after an arriving administrator found three suitcases at the front door, with a sign saying, “Free.” Arriving children were diverted to other locations while the suitcases were isolated and finally, inspected by members of the County Prosecutors Office and the NJSP Arson/Bomb Squad. The suitcases had been put curbside by a resident, but someone removed them and left them at the school as a prank.
MTPD, MEMS, and Fire Cos. # 1 and 2 helped put out a burning tractor on June 8. Officer Bleistine, the first to arrive, put out the fire with an extinguisher. The driver, a 50-year-old Monroe man, was working at a residence and was refueling the tractor, which was still running at the time, when it caught fire. Although suffering burns on his arms, the driver refused treatment. The tractor was totaled.
The driver of a car stopped at a light in front of Tiger’s Tale was injured when his car was rear-ended by a car whose driver was found to be drunk on June 9. The second driver was charged with DUI and reckless driving.
The ever-alluring Skillman Village again: a 28-year-old Trenton man and an 18-year-old Ewing man were arrested on June 9 after Township police found saw a pickup truck driving around the Village at 12:25 pm. The two later parked the truck and were seen walking toward an abandoned building. They told officers they were going to take photos of the buildings, but a check of their backpack produced bolt cutters and other tools. The two were charged with trespassing and possession of burglary tools.
Another cell-phone-assisted car accident: on June 8 at 7:12 am, a northbound 35-year-old Bell Mead driver, distracted by a ringing cell phone near Harlingen Rd. on Rt. 206,lost control of her car and went into the southbound lane, hitting a southbound car head on. The southbound driver complained of pain all over, and the northbound of leg, chest and abdominal pain. Both drivers were taken to UMCP, both cars were towed; the first driver got a ticket for failure to keep right.
On June 8, a northbound 28-year-old Andover driver on Rt. 206, approaching stopped traffic at the light at Belle Mead-Griggstown Rd., attempted to move from the left lane into the right but hit another car, driven by a 48-year-old Lawrenceville man. His car was shoved off the road and rolled, coming to rest in the southbound lane. Both drivers were treated at the scene by MEMS and both cars were towed. The first driver was ticketed for making an unsafe lane change, driving an uninsured vehicle, and lack of registration. Township Fire Company #1 assisted.
A southbound 31-year-old Riverside driver on Rt. 601 on June 10 managed to avoid injury, but her car was damaged when a driver pulled out in front of her from Sunset Rd. She avoided hitting the car, but hit a pole instead. The other driver, a 61-year-old Skillman woman, had been attempting to turn from Skillman Rd. onto Rt. 601 and was distracted by a truck, which had also been trying to pull onto Rt. 601 from the other side of Sunset Rd., and she didn’t see the first driver. The Skillman driver was summonsed for failure to yield right of way at an intersection.
MEMS responded to a car accident on June 15 at 1:09 pm when a 78_year-old Plymouth Meeting, PA driver rear-ended a car stopped ahead of him. The second driver, a 48-year-old Hillsborough man, was taken to UMCP. The first driver was issued a summons for careless driving.
Someone must have been reading our MHS story last month: 13 MHS students were arrested on June 15, 3 adults and five juveniles, during three separate incidents off of school grounds after school let out that day. The first was at 1:46 pm, when a bike patrol officer found two students, 1 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, smoking dope near a park off of Harvard Circle. They were charged with possession of CDS; the older defendant was charged with possession of CDS paraphernalia.
The second was at 3:32 pm, when Township officers saw three juveniles, aged 15, 16 and 17, and three adults, aged 18, smoking dope in the woods off of Princeton Avenue. They were all charged with possession of CDS; one of the adults was also charged with third degree possession of a prescription medication.
The third was at 6:57 pm, in a wooded area off of Manor Dr., after MTPD received a report of groups of youths who appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Officers responded and located four juveniles, aged 15, 16 and 17, and one adult, aged 18. All were charged with possession of CDS and being under the influence of CDS. Parents of all the juveniles were contacted. The adult defendants were released ROR.
HOPEWELL WOMAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
SOMERVILLE - Somerset County Acting Prosecutor A. Peter DeMarco, Jr., Acting Chief of Detectives Stuart Buckman and Montgomery Township Police Director Robert E. Palmer report that at approximately 9:16 p.m. on Sunday June 27, 2010 a fatal motor vehicle collision occurred on Cherry Hill Road in Montgomery Township. The crash occurred when a 2007 Chevy Tahoe, driven by Amy Locane-Bovenizer, age 38, of West Prospect Street in Hopewell, struck the passenger side of a 2010 Mercury Milan driven by Fred Seeman as he was attempting to enter his driveway on Cherry Hill Road. Defendant Locane-Bovenizer was driving north on Cherry Hill Road when she struck the vehicle being operated by Fred Seeman which was traveling south. The passenger, Helene Seeman, was pronounced dead at the scene. Fred Seeman was airlifted by Medevac to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital with serious injuries. Defendant Locane-Bouvenizer sustained minor cuts to her right foot.
Acting Prosecutor DeMarco stated that responding officers detected the odor of alcohol on defendant Locane-Bouvenizer’s breath and observed other signs of impairment. Defendant Locane-Bouvenizer was arrested for DWI and transported to Princeton Medical Center for treatment.
During the investigation it was discovered that defendant Locane-Bovenizer was involved in a minor hit and run motor vehicle accident in Princeton Township a few miles from Cherry Hill Road just prior to the fatal collision. Defendant Locane-Bovenizer rear-ended another vehicle at an intersection in Princeton. Both drivers exited the vehicles, but when the other driver attempted to contact police to report the incident, defendant Locane-Bovenizer got back into her vehicle and left the scene. Defendant Locane-Bovenizer was followed by the other driver and she was observed swerving and knocking down several mailboxes prior to impacting the Seeman vehicle on Cherry Road.
Defendant Locane-Bouvenizer has been charged with Vehicular Homicide, 2nd degree and Assault by Auto, 3rd degree and is lodged in the Somerset County Jail.Bail was set at $50,000 cash or bond - no 10%. She faces 5 to 10 years in State Prison with 85% of the term imposed to be served without parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act.
Acting Prosecutor DeMarco and Director Palmer state that the Montgomery Police and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction (C.A.R.) Team are continuing their investigation and request that anyone with any information concerning the crash please contact the Montgomery Township Police Department at 908-359-3222, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office C.A.R. Team at 908-231-7100 or the Somerset County Crime Stopper's TIPS Line at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org . All calls are confidential.
REWARD PROGRAM FOR TIPS ON ANIMAL FIGHTING
SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE, CRIME STOPPERS AND THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCE REWARD PROGRAM FOR TIPS ON ANIMAL FIGHTING
SOMERVILLE – Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest, Somerset County Crime Stoppers, Inc. and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have teamed up to combat animal fighting in Somerset County, New Jersey. Through this collaboration, Somerset County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $500.00 for any information which leads to an arrest and indictment of anyone involved in animal fighting. Additionally, The Humane Society of the United States is offering up to $5,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person involved in animal fighting.
In New Jersey, animal fighting is a crime of the 3rd degree and is punishable by up to 5 years of imprisonment.
According to Heather Cammisa, the HSUS New Jersey State Director, “Animal fighting complaints are a serious matter and have been on the rise in New Jersey. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office is the first Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey to collaborate with the The HSUS in offering rewards for tips involving animal fighting”. Cammisa is hopeful that this initiative will encourage those with information about animal fighting in Somerset County to contact the Somerset County TIPS line.
Illegal animal fighting is a blood-sport in which animals are specifically bred and trained to fight each other for the benefit of individuals who sometimes place bets on the animal they believe will win. The fights are extremely brutal, with animals often fighting to the death. Animal fighting has been associated with other types of crimes to include drugs, gangs, guns, illegal gambling and violence which have had a negative impact on entire communities. In fact, children are often present at dog fighting matches, as in a recent case in Somerset County. In addition, research has shown that individuals who engage in animal abuse are more likely to employ violence against people.
Frank Aquila, Esq., President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, has announced that they are now offering a reward of $500.00 any individual who supplies a tip that results in the arrest and indictment of a perpetrator that is involved with animal fighting. Tips to Crime Stoppers may be provided anonymously.
The HSUS will provide a reward of up to $5,000.00 to anyone who provides information that results in an arrest and conviction of any individual involved in animal fighting. The HSUS reward program has been implemented nationwide and more than 50 rewards have been paid for successful animal fighting cases.
Somerset County Animal Fighting Reward Program Instructions:
If you have information about illegal animal fighting in Somerset County, New Jersey, please call the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tips line at 1-888-577- TIPS (8477) or go online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE” .
Montgomery Police Say Crime Dropped in 2009
Montgomery Township Police Department Director Robert Palmer informed the Montgomery Township Committee in January that crime in the Township was lower last year than in 2008. Decreases – some large - occurred in nine out of thirteen categories, with little or no increase in the remaining four categories. According to Lieutenant James Curry, the Police Department’s efforts to increase their visibility helped bring these reductions about.
Robberies showed the biggest decrease, declining 100% (from four in 2008 to zero in 2009). Burglaries followed with a 68% drop (44 to 14). Curry notes that in 2008, there was a rash of motor vehicle burglaries – sometimes as many as twelve per night – that was resolved. There were 38% (324 to 201) less arrests (uniformed crime reports; not from warrants); this correlates to the drop in robberies and burglaries. Domestic violence went down 37% (87 to 55); theft decreased 21% (160 to 126); and assault declined 5% (57 to 54).
Curry attributes much of the decrease in crime to the Police Department’s emphasis on their patrol bureau. By making their presence known, especially on the highways, they achieved the desired effect of deterring crime. As a result, the Department received 7% fewer calls for service (15,881 to 14,764).
The only categories that showed increases were motor vehicle accidents (7%; 726 to 779) and summonses (2%; 2,275 to 2,314). Six traffic checkpoints, as well as the “Click it or ticket” campaign, were held in 2009. These resulted in more summonses being issued, despite an 11% drop in motor vehicle stops (5,579 to 4,948). Rape (none) and arson (one) did not change.
The decrease in crime is welcome news, especially given the current financial situation. Curry points out “whereas you would hypothesize crime would increase with the economic downturn, the national trend has been a decrease in crime rates.”
Seat Belt Enforcement and Education Campaign to be Conducted
Montgomery Township law enforcement officers from the Montgomery Township Police Department will be cracking down on unbuckled motorists and their passengers as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign.
Beginning May 24 and running through June 6, the annual initiative includes high visibility law enforcement seat belt checkpoints and saturation patrols, as well as local and national publicity designed to ensure that drivers and passengers recognize the life-saving value of seat belts.
“Using a seat belt is the simplest way for a motorist and his or her passengers to protect themselves when on the road,” said Pam Fischer, Director of New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “Motor vehicle occupants who buckle-up are between 45 and 75 percent less likely to face life threatening injuries in a car crash.”
Last year, the front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey rose for the 13th consecutive year to 92.67%. Fischer noted that while seat belt usage rates continue to increase in New Jersey, law enforcement and safety officials will not rest until the state achieves a 100 percent compliance rate.
“New Jersey has one of the strongest seat belt usage rates in the nation, but our work isn’t done,” Fischer said. “To meet our goal, we must continue to focus on enforcement and public outreach efforts to educate motorists and their passengers about the critical importance of buckling up, every ride.”
Fischer added that for the first time, the campaign will focus on rear seat passengers as well. New legislation requiring adult rear seat passengers to buckle up became law earlier this year. Currently, adult back seat belt use stands at 32 percent.
During the 2009 “Click it or Ticket” campaign, 443 police agencies participated in the two-week initiative. As a result of the effort, law enforcement officers issued 41,442 seat belt citations, 6,833 speeding summonses and made 866 drunk driving arrests.
Police Advisory: Lock Cars at Night
Montgomery Township Police are warning residents to lock their vehicles parked in their driveways overnight. Last Thursday May 20th several vehicles were entered on Fox Chase Lane and Willow Run Lane. Wednesday night May 26th, unlocked vehicles were entered on Belle Mead-Griggstown Road, Ellis Drive and Bunker Drive. Currency and electronic devices were reported stolen out of some of the cars. Residents are urged to call the police if they see or hear anything suspicious at 908-359-3222 or 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.
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