Category: BURLINGTON COUNTY

Drug Dealer Tareese Brown Charged with Death of Medford Twp. Customer

Rashan Demby (left) and Tareese Brown, both of Camden City

MOUNT HOLLY NJ (February 25, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Medford Township Police Chief Richard Meder announced that a 30-year-old Camden drug dealer has been charged with causing the fatal overdose of a Medford Township woman to whom he sold fentanyl-laced heroin and cocaine last year.

Tareese Brown, of the 200 block of Ablett Village in Camden, was charged with Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree), ten counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree), ten counts of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree), and two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree).

The investigation began on September 22 after officers from the Medford Township Police Department were called to Club House Lane for a report of an unresponsive 55-year-old female. An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood determined the woman died of fentanyl and cocaine toxicity.

The investigation determined the drugs that caused the fatal overdose had been purchased from Brown. The investigation also led to charges against Rashan Demby, 33, of the 1200 block of Langham Avenue in Camden. He was charged with two counts each of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree), Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree) and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree).

Brown was arrested in Camden on February 20 by the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. Demby was arrested in Mount Holly on February 21 by the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department. They are lodged in the Burlington County Jail awaiting a pre-trial detention hearing.

The case was investigated by the Medford Township Police Department, with assistance from the Prosecutor’s Office Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force. The lead investigator is Medford Township Detective William Knecht.

Brown and Demby will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Michael Angermeier, supervisor of the GGNTF.

All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

ShopRite of Medford’s Remodeling Project is Finished

Matches Trends for At-Home Meal Prep

The store\’s produce section has been upgraded along with a new catering office,  and the wellness section.

MEDFORD, N.J. – ShopRite of Medford is wrapping up a 6 ½-month major remodel that focused on

matching the store’s features to modern customer needs. Aside from updating equipment, the project reconfigured floor space and doubled size of the kitchen to recognize that many people shop for ready-made foods in addition to pantry staples.

Survey data from Nielsen

captures the trend with two contradictory statistics. In 2018 the data analytics company found that dinner meals are not planned in advance in 3 to 4 households, but also that dinner is prepared at home in 7 to 10 households. In other words,

meals are often tossed together

. That’s the driver behind the demand for grocery stores to stock meal components – both raw and cooked – so busy customers can still enjoy the process and the personalization of cooking at home.

From eight months in the planning stages to another six months of on-site work, ShopRite of Medford’s remodel affected the floor, the ceiling, and nearly every aisle and shelf in between. Management describes it as an intense effort to make ShopRite of Medford very “customer-centric.”

“Some of the aspects of our remodeling project were no-brainers, like installing energy-efficient refrigerated cases and boosting the lighting throughout the store,” said Store Manager Carney Siciliano. “Other pieces required much more thought as we acknowledged how food shopping has changed and how to meet our customers’ expectations.”

Expanded ‘Grab and Go’ Cases:

Several areas of the Deli and Prepared Food sections were overhauled to dedicate more floor space to match the way customers shop. Four new rotisserie ovens are more efficient and expand the store’s capacity to roast whole chickens and other meats to keep up with market demand. Team members will assemble custom sandwiches on the spot. In addition to complete cooked meals, additional cases hold meal components so customers can select a main and sides that will please various palates.

Meals of the Week:

Like a mail-order kit but with customization options, each week ShopRite of Medford showcases two meals consisting of protein + grain + produce. Not only are all the key ingredients available in one place for easy shopping, so are the recipe cards and prep tools such as foil. Customers can select a recipe (or both), swap chicken for fish based on their preferences, and walk into their homes with the prep work done.

Catering Office:

What used to be just a table and chairs tucked next to the deli case is now a bona fide Catering Office connected to the kitchen. The space is quieter and more welcoming, and a result of the strong market growth of customers who seek a little help with their workload.

“Our Catering Department doesn’t just handle large-scale events like bridal showers and office parties,” Siciliano said.  “Catering has evolved to play a role in smaller-scale celebrations; a labor-intensive portion of holiday meal-making; when guests are coming for dinner; or when a guest is expected to contribute to the meal. Our remodeling project really took that trend into account.”

ShopRite of Medford, 208 East Route 70, plans activities throughout March to celebrate the completion of the store’s remodel and as a show of appreciation for their patient and loyal customers. Events will begin with a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on March 1 and continue through March 28 with giveaways, special visitors, a health fair, and several contests.

ShopRite of Medford, 208 East Route 70, is part of the Wakefern Food Corp. cooperative founded in 1946 and based in Keasbey, New Jersey. ShopRite of Medford is the flagship store of the Zallie-Somerset group of stores owned by David and Renee Zallie, which also includes ShopRite of Lawnside and ShopRite of Gibbstown.

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CNB BUSINESS NEWS

CNB Business News: 20 Digits Establishes Executive Team in Preparation for National Expansion

GLOUCESTER CITY, NEW JERSEY—February 24, 2020—20 Digits, a start-up developing innovative solutions for the integrated facilities management (IFM) industry, has named Scott Dickson as Chief Technology Officer amid a

year of strategic expansion. 20 Digits is a subsidiary of

NEST

, the

Scott Dickson to guide the start-up’s growth as Chief Technology Officer

integrated facilities management consultant and analytics solution serving enterprises in the United States and Canada.

“As an organization, we recognized just how important technology is for an IFM program,” said Rob Almond, Chief Executive Officer of NEST. “Though 20 Digits was originally established to fill that need and develop solutions for IFM, it quickly exceeded our expectations. Now, with Scott leading the group, I have full confidence 20 Digits will expand as a company just as it grew its initial offering.”

In his new role, Dickson will be responsible for overseeing the continued expansion of 20 Digits, as well as development, product management, infrastructure and security for the existing platform offering.

Dickson joined 20 Digits from multinational retailer David’s Bridal after 15 years. During his tenure, Dickson was responsible for introducing DevOps practices built upon Amazon Web Services in order to deliver cloud-native services into a complex ecosystem with aging technologies.

“I’m thrilled to be helping 20 Digits on the next leg of its journey,” said Dickson. “IFM is an industry that’s ripe for tech innovation. We have the opportunity to save clients a lot of money and solve issues they haven’t even identified yet.”

###

About 20 Digits

20 Digits Technology is a provider of technology solutions for the integrated facilities management (IFM) industry. Comprised of a team of technology veterans but maintaining the agility of a start-up, 20 Digits is developing cost-saving solutions for enterprises with multiple large-scale brick and mortar locations, including those with robust digital experiences. A subsidiary of NEST, the leading IFM solutions provider, 20 Digits is driven to provide next-generation solutions that are both innovative and secure. For more information, visit

http://20digitstechnology.com/

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CNB BUSINESS NEWS

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA (VIDEO)…Thank a Veteran Today for their Service

SOURCE:

The American Legion Burn Pit

First, from Yahoo News:

This month marks the 75th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Iwo Jima, which saw some of the bloodiest fighting of World War Two take place on a small Japanese island 1,200 km (745 miles) south of Tokyo.

Iwo Jima was the first native Japanese soil to be invaded during the Allied advance. Located halfway between Tokyo and Guam, it was regarded as a strategic outpost. Close to 7,000 U.S. Marines and nearly all of the 21,000 Japanese defenders of the island died during the 36-day battle.

The Japanese troops held the heavily fortified island for more than a month, supported by a network of bunkers and tunnels and hidden artillery positions.

From Feb. 19, 1945, over 500 warships and 1,000 warplanes from the U.S. navy and army pounded Iwo Jima so heavily that the shelling and bombing changed the shape of the island\’s highest point, Mount Suribachi, located at its southern tip.

The Washington Post has a story on Woody Williams

, who as you know is one of my favorite people:

The Japanese soldiers came out of their concrete “pill box” with bayonets fixed, determined to get the Marine who had been killing them all afternoon with a flamethrower.

Their target was Hershel Williams. He was 5-foot-6, the youngest of the 11 children of a dairy farmer from Quiet Dell, W.Va. He had a nice smile, and a girl back home named Ruby whom he planned to marry when the war was over.

He was 21, and known as “Woody.”

But 75 years ago this month, on a Godforsaken volcanic island in the Pacific called Iwo Jima, he was a terrifying destroyer of the Japanese, incinerating men in their hideouts with jets of blazing diesel fuel and high octane gasoline.

They had to stop him.

Not to ruin the ending, but yeah, they didn\’t stop him.

CONTINUE TO READ

Two People Shot Inside Maple Shade Apt., One Dead

MAPLE SHADE – Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Maple Shade Township Police Chief Christopher Fletcher announced that two people were shot inside a Lenola Road apartment building this afternoon, including a 22-year-old woman who later died at a Camden hospital.

The investigation began after Maple Shade police officers were called to The Arbors apartment complex just before 2:30 p.m. for a report of a shooting.

Upon arrival they found a man and a woman with gunshot wounds in the hallway outside a unit on the seventh floor.

Both victims were transported to Cooper University Medical Center in Camden, where the woman, Kayla Winkler, 22, was pronounced dead. The male, Ramek Bass, 24, of Philadelphia, was treated and released for a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

Winkler resided in the unit where the shooting occurred. She and Bass were acquaintances.

The details surrounding the shooting are being investigated by detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office and the Maple Shade Township Police Department. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to call Burlington County Central Communications at 609-265-7113, or send an email to tips@co.burlington.nj.us or tips@mapleshadepd.com.

Pemberton Township Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Causing Friend\’s Death

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ (February 21, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 22-year-old Pemberton Township man was sentenced today to four years in New Jersey state prison for driving impaired and causing a 2018 crash in Woodland Township that killed a friend who was traveling in his vehicle.

Donald Shinn, who pled guilty in December 2019 to Vehicular Homicide (Second Degree), must serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. His driver’s license will be suspended for five years following his release from prison.

The investigation began on December 22, 2018 just after 3 a.m., when New Jersey State Police Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash on County Road 563.

The investigation revealed that Shinn’s Toyota Tundra left the roadway and struck several trees after attempting to illegally pass another vehicle. Cody Watson, 20, of Pemberton Township, was seated in the front passenger’s seat and was pronounced dead at the scene. Shinn was treated for moderate injuries at a local hospital. A third passenger seated in the rear of the vehicle declined to accept medical treatment.

Toxicology tests performed on blood drawn from Shinn following the crash indicated his blood alcohol concentration at the time was .12%.

Assistant Prosecutor Josh Dennis, supervisor of the BCPO Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit, said the fatal accident had a devastating effect on multiple people.

“The loss to the Watson family is unimaginable,” AP Dennis told the court before sentencing. “So very tragic, and permanent. One simple decision was made by the defendant, and that changed everything for the Watson family, and for everyone who knew and loved Cody, including the defendant himself, who was his very close friend.”

Congregation Beth El in Voorhees Receives Support from the Investors Foundation Grant Program

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ

–

A $15,000 grant from the Investors Bank’s Foundation is helping Congregation Beth El complete safety and security projects at its Voorhees campus.

Representatives from Investors Bank recently presented a check from the Investors Foundation for $15,000 to Congregation Beth El in Voorhees. Pictured from left, Investors Bank Voorhees branch supervisor Sayantani Bhattacharya, Investors Bank assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager Barry Epps, Congregation Beth El Executive Director Josh Laster, Investors Bank’s senior vice president business lending Christopher P. Warren, Senior Rabbi Aaron Krupnick, Associate Rabbi Andy Green, Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro, and Congregation Beth El Board President Karen Schlessel.

Congregation Beth El applied for the grant from the Investors Bank Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank.

Congregation Beth El has a rich history in southern New Jersey, beginning with its organization in the Parkside section of Camden in late 1920. The congregation grew significantly over the next 50 years, requiring a move to a larger facility in the late 1960s, and then onto the current location in Voorhees in 2009.

Congregation Beth El is an egalitarian Conservative Synagogue of more than 800 families and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

It

seeks to create a unique, shared space where everyone can discover what it means to be human and to be part of a sacred community.

Investors Bank’s Christopher P. Warren, senior vice president business lending; Barry Epps, assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager; and branch supervisor Sayantani Bhattacharya, presented the check to the leadership of Congregation Beth El.

“We are proud to present Congregation Beth El with this grant in support of its efforts to ensure the safety of its members,” said Warren. “Everyone should feel secure in their ability to participate in worship, education, and the other activities available through Congregation Beth El.”

Congregation Beth El Executive Director Josh Laster said, “We are grateful to Investors Bank Foundation for providing the necessary funds to increase security at Beth El. With their support, we were able to implement new protocols offering additional protection to our education programs.

”

“I know I speak for the leadership of our congregation when I say that Investors Bank is aptly named,” exclaimed Senior Rabbi Aaron Krupnick. “They are investing in our shared future by helping to make our children, and their parents, safe and comfortable here at our school. Our children are our future, and we are proud to be investing in them together.”

“Investors Bank believes in supporting organizations and activities that strengthen the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Epps. “Congregation Beth El plays an important role in our community and we believe we have an obligation to support its efforts.”

About the Investors Foundation

Investors Bank created the Investors Foundation in 2005 to support the communities Investors Bank serves. The Investors Foundation supports initiatives in the arts, youth development, health and human services, education and affordable housing. The Investors Foundation works to improve the lives of its customers and neighbors.

About Investors Bank

Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With nearly $27 billion in assets and a network of more than 145 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank’s banking services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses.

Investors Bank: Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

About Congregation Beth El

Congregation Beth El seeks to create a unique, shared space where members can discover what it means to be human and to be part of a sacred community. Grounded in ex

ploration of Jewish tradition, text, and ritual, Beth El aspires to enrich the lives of its members to celebrate Conservative Judaism at its creative best, and to bring Jews closer to God, Torah and Israel. Congregation Beth El is proud to say it is a community of communities. The congregation is diverse and robust, with many people from many different walks of life. Congregation Beth El welcomes all levels of background and knowledge. For more information, please go to

www.bethelsnj.org.

Topping Off Ceremony Held for $184M Patient Tower at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital

Jefferson Washington Township Hospital reached a major milestone on Thursday, February 20th, as a “topping off” ceremony was held for its new $184 million patient tower, slated to open in summer 2021. Jefferson leadership and staff — including Dr. Stephen Klasko, President of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health — were in attendance, along with NJ state and local officials, as the final beam was lifted by a crane and put in place.

The 7-floor, 243,500-square-foot tower, being named in honor of Jefferson board member and benefactor John P. Silvestri and his family, will feature 90 private patient rooms, a two-story lobby, Same-Day Surgery Unit, roof helipad, café with outdoor dining, and more. The $222 million overall Washington Township hospital campus transformation began in 2018, with construction of an 8-level enclosed parking facility, completed in April 2019.

Shown at the Topping Off ceremony, from left, are

: Stephen M. Sweeney, New Jersey Senate President; Joseph W. Devine, President, Jefferson New Jersey Division and Chief Experience Officer, Jefferson Health; John P. Silvestri, Vice Chairman, Jefferson Health New Jersey Hospital Board of Trustees; Joann Gattinelli, Washington Township Mayor; and John W. Graham, Chief Administrative Officer, Jefferson Washington Township Hospital.

Lowell M. McCown, Marcus S. Mackroy-Davis, Zahire N. Williams Indicted for Burlington City Murder

(Left to right) Lowell M. McCown,  Marcus S. Mackroy-Davis,  Zahire N. Williams

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ (February 20, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that three men have been indicted for the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old Burlington City resident late last year.

Zahire N. Williams, 20, of Burlington City, Marcus S. Mackroy-Davis, 23, of Westampton, and Lowell M. McCown, 20, of Philadelphia were indicted on charges of Murder (First Degree) and Conspiracy (First Degree).

Williams, who is accused of being the shooter, was indicted on additional charges of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree). Mackroy-Davis was also indicted on one count of Obstructing the Administration of Law (Fourth Degree).

The indictment was returned February 13 and signed by First Assistant Prosecutor Philip S. Aronow. An arraignment is scheduled for March 9 in Superior Court. Williams and Mackroy-Davis were detained and lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly.

The trio is charged with killing Kion Edwards the morning of November 10 on York Street in the city’s Historic Yorkshire neighborhood. The investigation revealed that Edwards was standing outside with acquaintances when the three defendants drove by and Williams fired shots in the group’s direction, striking only Edwards.

The defendants are being prosecuted by BCPO Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Hutchinson. The case was investigated by detectives from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the City of Burlington Police Department. The lead investigators are BCPO Det. Erica Ridge and City of Burlington Police Department Det. Jamie Lambing.

An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

79-Year-Old Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Millions from Moorestown Employer

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ (February 19, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 79-year-old Hainesport man pled guilty today in

Superior Court to stealing more than $2.5 million over a 14-year period from the Moorestown company where he was employed as an accounting manager.

Under an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office, Charles Esposito pled guilty to Theft by Deception (Second Degree) and Failure to Pay State Income Taxes (Third Degree) in exchange for an aggregate seven-year sentence in New Jersey state prison. The Hon. Christopher J. Garrenger, J.S.C., scheduled sentencing for September 11.

Esposito has already repaid more than $190,000 of the stolen funds, but still must make restitution in the amount of $2,328,516.44. He must also file several years of amended state and federal income tax returns.

Officials at the company, Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, began to investigate in April 2019 after concerns were raised about a hand-written check for $18,500 that had been signed by the defendant and contained another signature that appeared to have been forged.

The ensuing investigation revealed that Esposito was able to circumvent Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope’s accounting systems, namely the check issuance and invoice procedures, to divert more than $2.5 million for his personal gain. He is accused of conducting 243 fraudulent transactions between 2005 and April 2019.

Esposito is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew R. McDonnell, supervisor of the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit. The investigation was conducted by the Moorestown Township Police Department and the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit, with assistance from the New Jersey Division of Taxation. The lead investigator was Moorestown Township Police Detective Donald Brauckmann.