Category: CNB CRIME

Drug Raid in Cape May County Nets Meth and Heroin

Cape May Court House, New Jersey (Nov. 27, 2019)–– Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, and Lower Township Police Chief William Mastriana announce the arrest of Jennifer R. Pagano, a 48 year old resident of Seagrove Avenue in

Lower Township, N.J. on drug possession and distribution charges.

On November 8, 2019, detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutors Office Gangs, Gun’s and Narcotics Task Force and the Lower Township Police Department concluded a two month long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics by Pagano in Cape May County.

On November 8, 2019, the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team executed a Court authorized search warrant in the 600 block of Seagrove Avenue in Lower Township. As a result of this search warrant, distribution amounts of suspected heroin and methamphetamine were seized from Pagano’s residence along with drug paraphernalia.

Pagano was charged with possession of heroin, a crime of the third degree; possession of methamphetamine, a crime of the third degree; distribution of heroin, a crime of the third degree; distribution of methamphetamine, a crime of the third degree; and possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, a crime of the fourth degree. Pagano was processed and released with summonses pending Court proceedings. *

Prosecutor Sutherland stated that his office will continue to work hand in hand with the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to target anyone selling illegal controlled dangerous substances. Prosecutor Sutherland continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding illegal drug activity and or any criminal activity within the community and that this information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriffs Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465-2800, or the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.

* Any charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless she is proven guilty.

Authorities Arrest Rooftop Copper Bandits; Suspects Caused over $1M in Damages

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ (Nov. 27, 2019)–Nov. 8, 2019 at approximately 2035 PM, Gloucester Township Police patrol officers located a suspicious male, later identified as

Rahjahn Waters

from Pine Hill, on the rooftop of

Commerce Square

1435 Blackwood-Clementon Rd, posing a New Jersey American Water employee servicing the HVAC units.  Investigation revealed the male removed copper coils from several rooftop HVAC units causing damage in excess of $140,000.

On Nov. 11, at approximately 3:45 PM, detectives were conducting enhanced police operations and follow up at

Commerce Plaza II

. Detectives located two (2) males, later identified as

Jason Hutzler

and

Moises Ambriz,

actively dismantling rooftop air conditioning units. The males fled on foot and utilized a rooftop hatch ladder in an attempt to evade police. Gloucester Township Police patrol officers established a perimeter containing the subjects and several Gloucester Township Police detectives apprehended the males after a brief foot pursuit.  Damage caused was estimated at $103,619.

On November 13, detectives from the Gloucester and Voorhees Township Police Departments launched a multi-jurisdictional investigation into a series of rooftop air conditioner thefts.  Information was developed from partnering detectives that the rooftop bandits were responsible for a similar incident in Voorhees Township at –

American Water

causing damage in excess of $1,000,000.

Waters

and an additional male,

Leon Dandy

, and female

Miranda Ulmer

, were charged with Burglary, Theft, and Criminal Mischief in connection with the Voorhees incident. Waters used materials stolen from this incident to pose an American Water employee in Gloucester Township on Nov. 8.

Rahjahn Waters

was charged with Theft (2

nd

degree), Criminal Mischief (3

rd

degree), Criminal Trespass (Disorderly Persons), Possession of Burglary Tools (Disorderly Persons), an Impersonation (2

nd

degree).

Waters

was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a Central First Appearance in accordance with the New Jersey Criminal Reform Act.

Jason Hutzler

was charged with Criminal Mischief (3rd Degree), Resisting Arrest (4th Degree), Criminal Trespassing (Disorderly Persons Offense) and Possession of Burglary Tools (Disorderly Persons Offense).

Hutzler

was released pending a court appearance.

Moises Ambriz

was charged with Criminal Mischief (3rd Degree), Resisting Arrest (4th Degree), Criminal Trespassing (Disorderly Persons Offense) and Possession of Burglary Tools (Disorderly Persons Offense).

Ambriz

was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a Central First Appearance in accordance with the New Jersey Criminal Reform Act.

Arrest: Rahjahn Waters

24 YOA 2600 block of Kenwood Drive Pine Hill NJ 08021

Arrest: Jason Hutzler

25 YOA 1100 block S. Merrimac Road, Camden NJ 08104

Arrest: Moises Ambriz

25 YOA 2200 block of Tall Pines, Pine Hill NJ 08021

Arrest/Voorhees: Leon Dandy

34 YOA 828 Blackwood-Clementon Rd. Pine hill NJ 08021

Arrest/Voorhees: Miranda Ulmer

28 YOA 500 block of Erial Rd. Sicklerville NJ (Winslow)

This collaborative investigation is the result of local police partnership and networking that led to the disruption of a serial theft crew.  Business owners are encouraged to inspect their air condition units during the off season to ensure they were not victimized by similar crimes.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certified Gloucester Township officers utilized the Gloucester Township Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to capture images of the destruction caused by the copper bandits.

Owner Of Empire Pharmacy In Hudson County Admits Role In Multi-Million Dollar Conspiracies

TRENTON, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, man today admitted participating in conspiracies to commit health care fraud and to bribe a doctor, U.S. Attorney Craig

Carpenito announced.

Eduard “Eddy” Shtindler, 36, of Paramus, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to pay illegal kickbacks to a doctor.

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

From 2012 through at least 2017, Shtindler owned and operated the now-defunct Empire Pharmacy in West New York, New Jersey. Starting in 2015, Empire began filling prescriptions for expensive specialty medication that required “prior authorization” before being approved for reimbursement payment by Medical, Medicaid, and some private insurance providers. To entice doctors to use Empire to fill such medications, Shtindler planned to have Empire receive prior authorization approval more successfully than any other pharmacies. He directed Empire employees, including two pharmacists, to repeatedly falsify prior authorization forms for medications for different conditions, including psoriasis and Hepatitis C. Shtindler was captured on recorded conversations admitting to his and Empire’s practice of falsifying prior authorization forms in order to receive approval for medication that would not have otherwise been approved.

From 2012 through early 2017, Shtindler participated in a conspiracy to pay bribes to a psychiatrist in Hudson County, New Jersey, to induce the doctor to send prescriptions to Empire. Shtindler sent Empire employees to deliver some of the bribe payments to the doctor. On occasion, Shtindler secreted cash bribes, in $100 denominations, in pill bottles that were delivered to the doctor. In exchange for these bribes, the doctor steered patients to use Empire pharmacy, even though the patients used other pharmacies closer to their homes for all of their other prescriptions. In one recorded conversation between Shtindler and a concerned former Empire employee who had delivered a bribe to the doctor on Shtindler’s behalf, Shtindler was captured stating, “You think [the doctor]’s going to go to the FBI and rat himself out?” In another conversation with the same former employee regarding the same topic of bribe payment Shtindler had the employee deliver to the doctor, Shtindler was captured saying, “First off, I didn’t make you do it. I didn’t put a gun to your head. We all made money together.” Shtindler concluded, “It is business.”

As part of his plea agreement, Shtindler agreed to loss amounts between $1.5 million and $3.5 million for each of the charged conspiracies to which he pleaded guilty.

The count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and the count of conspiring to pay illegal kickbacks is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison. Both offenses are punishable by a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; special agents of the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert; and the N.J. Office of the State Comptroller, under the direction of Comptroller Philip James Degnan, with the ongoing investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua L. Haber of the Health Care & Government Fraud Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

Defense counsel: Albert Y. Dayan. Esq., Queens, New York

Heroin, Marijuana and 9mm Ammunition Found During Raid at Millbridge Garden Apts.

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ (Nov. 26, 2019)–Today, at approximately 06:00 AM, the Gloucester Township Police Special Response Team (SRT) executed a narcotics related search warrant at 1341 Blackwood-Clementon Rd. (Millbridge Garden Apartments).  A long term investigation by the Gloucester Township Special Investigations Unit (SIU) led to the arrest of 29 year old

DVaughn White

of Gloucester Township.

During the search of the apartment, a quantity of heroin, marijuana, and 9mm ammunition were recovered.  A significant amount of U.S. currency was seized from the suspected heroin dealer.

These restorative Community Policing efforts encouraged residents to take back their community, and assist the Gloucester Township Police Department with keeping our community safe. Heroin is a highly addictive drug where its use has long been associated with crime because many addicted people turn to theft, prostitution, and various other criminal activities to obtain money to buy the drugs. The Gloucester Township Police Department has implemented a number of initiatives and programs to combat the abuse of dangerous narcotics which do led to reported fatal overdoses. If you know someone who is suffering from addiction, you are encouraged to call the Gloucester Township SAVE Advocate at 856-302-7051, to get help.

The arrest of this individual is another example of the pro-active law enforcement campaigns targeting those who illegally distribute narcotics in Gloucester Township. The Gloucester Township Police Department will continue to attack this scourge, with the assistance of local, state, and federal partnerships, the abuse, and sale of this highly addictive drug in our community.

Arrest:

DVaughn White, age 29, 1341 Blackwood-Clementon Rd., Gloucester Township , NJ 08021

Charged with Manufacturing, Distribution of CDS (Heroin) (2nd Degree), Money Laundering (3rd Degree), Certain Persons not to Possess a Firearm (2nd Degree), Possession of CDS (3rd Degree), and Possession of CDS (Disorderly Person). White was remanded to the Camden County correctional Facility in accordance with N.J. Bail Reform.

Address/Location

Gloucester Township Police Department

1261 Chews Landing Rd

Gloucester Township, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-228-4500

Morris County Man Sentenced To Prison For Possessing Bombs And Being Felon In Possession Of Guns

NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for being a felon in possession of guns, possessing bombs, and precursor materials, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Christopher Faschan, 31, of Landing, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of unlawful possession of destructive devices and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

On Feb. 1, 2019, Faschan detonated the bomb in the area of Lake Lackawanna in Stanhope. On Feb. 4, 2019, law enforcement agents interviewed Faschan, who said that he had ignited the bomb. He described it as two pounds in weight and explained how he used and mixed Potassium Perchlorate, Aluminum Powder, and Tannerite to make several bombs that were in his home.

Law enforcement agents executed a court-authorized search of Faschan’s home and recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, firearms, explosive devices and precursor materials.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Faschan to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson in Newark; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; officers of the Byram Police Department, under the direction of Chief Peter J. Zabita; the Roxbury Police Department, under the direction of Chief Marc Palanchi; the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Francis A. Koch; officers of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James M. Gannon; and officers of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Frederic M. Knapp, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean C. Sovolos of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit.

Defense counsel: John Whipple Esq., Morristown, New Jersey

Maple Shade PD is seeking to hire officers through the Intergovernmental Transfer Program…

Advisory:

The Maple Shade Police Department announces our recent acceptance and participation in the New Jersey Civil Service Commission Intergovernmental Transfer Program (ITP).  In order to be considered, an officer MUST be a member in good standing of a Civil Service police department who participates in the ITP with a valid certification from the Police Training Commission as a full-time Municipal Police

Officer.

If you are looking to join a progressive agency that offers superior training, opportunity, job growth and a supportive work environment, and who has been recognized by the Attorney General’s Office for their ground breaking work in the area of Officer Mental Health and Wellness (Resiliency), then we invite you to apply for a position at the Maple Shade Police Department.  Job specifications call for a High School Diploma or equivalent GED, and you must be a resident of New Jersey with a valid New Jersey Driver’s License to be considered.

Interested candidates should send their resume and a cover letter to the Appropriate Authority –

Township Manager Susan Danson, 200 Stiles Avenue Maple Shade, NJ 08052

as soon as possible, but no later than

Friday, December 20, 2019

.

Applicants will undergo an interview process with our command staff.  Those who are moved beyond that point will then be subjected to a thorough background investigation to include an Early Warning System and Internal Affairs File check in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines.  Selected candidates who successfully pass the background process will be moved into the next phase of hiring, which will include a physical and psychological examination.  Those who pass that phase will be offered positions based upon their ranking amongst the command staff during the above process.  The starting salary is negotiable within a defined range based upon an officer’s level of experience as notated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.  The officers who work in Maple Shade are represented by PBA Local #267.

Any eligible officers with questions or inquiries should contact Lt. Jeffrey Hoch at

jhoch@mapleshadepd.com

, or at 856-382-1205, Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Grand Jury Indicts Mt. Laurel Woman for Mother’s Murder

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Mt. Laurel woman has been indicted for fatally stabbing her mother earlier this year inside the residence they shared at the Ramblewood

Village Apartments.

Marisa G. Rivera, 24, of the first block of Pine Cove, was indicted on one count of Murder (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree), and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree).

An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court. Rivera has been in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly since her arrest.

She is accused of killing her mother, 56-year-old Denise DeNapoli, in the early morning hours of September 6 and then fleeing the apartment. She was arrested several hours later at a Route 73 hotel and taken into custody without incident by Mount Laurel Township police officers.

Denise DeNapoli’s body was discovered by police who were sent to the residence by her employer to conduct a wellness check after she could not be reached by co-workers.

Rivera is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Bob Van Gilst, supervisor of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit – Violent Crimes Section.

The case was investigated by the Mount Laurel Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead investigators are Mount Laurel Police Detective Thomas Corsanico and BCPO Detective Nicholas Villano.

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

PATCO AWARDED $12.6 MILLION “BUILD” TRANSPORTATION GRANT

Project identified by U.S. Department of Transportation to have significant regional impact.

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) announced today that it will receive a $12,580,000.00 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for its

PATCO Franklin Square Station Reopening Project

. The project will revitalize and reopen an existing rail station consistent with modern Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

The USDOT awarded the grant under the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Previously known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, BUILD grants provide opportunities for USDOT to invest in roads and other projects that have a significant local or regional impact.

“This BUILD grant will help the Delaware River Port Authority to re-open Franklin Square Station, giving Philadelphians more transit options,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey. “The funding will contribute to necessary upgrades for the station and will serve new residential and commercial growth in the area. I was proud to advocate on behalf of DRPA for this important project for the Philadelphia metropolitan area.”

“PATCO is excited to be a recipient of a 2019 BUILD grant,” said John D. Rink, PATCO General Manager. “It is a testament of the importance that the Franklin Square Station Project has to the community and the continued economic development in our region.”

In September 2018, PATCO announced plans to reopen its shuttered Franklin Square Station located beneath Franklin Square Park. Construction on rehabilitating the existing station is expected to begin in late 2020 with an opening date in Summer 2023. The work covered under the project will allow the station to become fully functional and in-line with the existing PATCO stations. The project will address improvements to the station’s civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems and will provide access in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In order to reach the concourse area, a new head house building will be constructed where the previous head house was located at the corner of 7th & Race Streets. The total budget for the project is $30 million.

“The BUILD grant comes at an exciting time for the DRPA and its transportation infrastructure investments,” said Michael P. Venuto, DRPA Chief Engineer. “DRPA’s Capital Budget is approximately $200 million in 2020 with a total spending of $810 million over the next five years. The grant enables the DRPA and PATCO to further advance its mission of world-class stewards of transportation assets.”

“On behalf of the DRPA and PATCO, I would like to thank the Department of Transportation and Senator Casey for recognizing the importance of the Franklin Square Project,” said John T. Hanson, DRPA CEO and PATCO President. “BUILD grants provide infrastructure funding to better connect communities, and connecting people is at the heart of what we do every day at DRPA and PATCO.”

For more information about the 2019 BUILD Transportation Grant program, please visit

www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants

. For more information about the Franklin Square Reopening Project, please visit

RidePATCO.org/projects

.

Voorhees Man Charged with Pos. of Child Porn

Peter Schad, 65, of Voorhees, was charged with Possession of Child Pornography according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Voorhees Police Chief Louis Bordi.

On November 25, 2019, detectives from the High-Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU) of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Members of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Cherry Hill Office executed a search warrant for Peter Schad’s residence on the 200 block of William Feather Drive. Authorities located numerous digital devices in the home that were taken to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office’s HTCU Forensic Lab to be analyzed.

Peter Schad was transported to the Voorhees Police Department where he was processed and released pending further court proceedings.

The Voorhees Police Department, Lower Camden County Emergency Response Team and a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Electronic Storage Detection K9 dog assisted the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office HTCU Detectives and HSI Cherry Hill on this case.

The investigation is ongoing.

All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Two Pedestrians Injured Crossing Cross Key Road

WINSLOW TOWNSHIP (Nov. 25, 2019)–In the Sicklerville section of Winslow Township, two adult pedestrians were crossing Cross Keys Road at the

intersection of Wilby Road and were struck by a vehicle traveling Northbound

on Cross Keys Road.

The two pedestrians were transported to Cooper Hospital via helicopters for serious injuries.

The driver of the vehicle and occupants were not injured.

Names are being withheld until families are notified.

Case is being investigated by the Winslow Township Highway Safety Unit.

If anyone witnessed the crash, please contact Ptlm. Harry Pizzico 609-567-0700 extension 1198.