Arrest Announced for Distribution of CDS

Cape May Court House, New Jersey — Jeffrey H. Sutherland, Prosecutor of Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, and Donald Vanaman, Chief of the Lower Township Police Department, announced the arrest of Hector L. Melendez, a 31-year-old resident of Villas. On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Task Force concluded a joint investigation into the distribution of controlled dangerous substances by Hector L. Melendez. On the same date, members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Task Force, in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Lower Township Police Department, and the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team, executed Court-authorized search warrants at the residence of Hector L. Melendez, as well as on his person.

As a result of these searches, authorities seized over ½ ounce of cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, various items of paraphernalia associated with the distribution of controlled dangerous substances (CDS), and a large sum of US Currency. Hector L. Melendez was charged with Distribution of CDS, a crime of 2nd degree; Possession of cocaine, a crime of the 3rd degree; Money laundering, a crime of the 3rd degree; Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia, a crime of the 4th degree; and Possession of Psilocybin mushrooms, a disorderly persons offense. Hector L. Melendez was processed and lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Facility, where he remains in custody pending further court proceedings. Individuals convicted of second-degree crimes are subject to a term of imprisonment of 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.

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Gloucester Day 2026 – Vendor Registration is Open

87 Recruits Graduate Camden County College Police Academy

87 new recruits will be graduating from the 93^rd Basic Police Recruit Class of the Camden County College Police Academy. Of the 87 recruits, 13 will be joining the Camden County Police Department. In a special keynote address, graduates will hear from Chief Michael McCarthy Jr. of the Lindenwold Police Department

“These graduates have demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience throughout their training,” Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “I am confident they will serve our communities with professionalism, integrity, and purpose, and I look forward to seeing all they accomplish in their careers.”

Among the traditions that will be observed during the formal ceremony is the badge-pinning many of the recruits will experience as they are “pinned” into their new profession by a family member who either is serving as or has retired from service as a law enforcement official.

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Two CCPO Detectives Graduate from DCJ Academy

The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office is pleased to announce the graduation of two detectives from the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Academy in Sea Girt, New Jersey.

Detective Deanna Corsetti (second from right) and Detective Aslyn Sanchez-Atilano (third from right) graduated from the Basic Course for Investigators Class 25-1 on Tuesday, June 10, 2026. They were joined at the graduation ceremony by Chief of Detectives Robert Ferris (left), Sergeant Allison Dubé-Smith (second from left), and Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay (far right).

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95 Local Organizations and Leaders Call on New Jersey Lawmakers

On Wednesday, a diverse coalition of 95 New Jersey community leaders, media organizations and advocates have signed on to an open letter to the state’s political leadership that urges lawmakers to restore $2.5 million in funding for the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium (NJCIC). The NJCIC is a first-of-its-kind initiative that state lawmakers created in 2018 to provide resources for trustworthy, community-based news-and-information projects.

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Homicide Investigation

On Wednesday evening, June 10, 2026, at approximately 7:23 p.m., officers from the 14th District responded to a shooting in the 6100 block of Magnolia Street, where they discovered an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds on the highway. Responding officers immediately transported the victim to Einstein Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased a short time later at 7:49 p.m. At this time, no arrests have been made, and a motive for the shooting has not yet been established.

The investigation remains active and ongoing with the Homicide Unit.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334, or leave an anonymous tip at 215-686-TIPS.

There is a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Philabundance and The GIANT Company Kick Off Summer Lunchbox Program

Philabundance—joined by very special guest Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America—and The GIANT Company will celebrate the return of its annual Summer Lunchbox program with a kickoff event on Thursday, June 11, at 11 a.m. at Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK), 2224 N. 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA

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Winslow Twp. Police Information – Fraudulent Invoice & Email Scam Alert

Police Information – Fraudulent Invoice & Email Scam Alert
Winslow Township is alerting residents to an ongoing scam involving fraudulent invoices and emails that reference the Township Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Township agendas.

The Winslow Township Planning and Zoning Office have received reports of emails being sent to residents that appear to come from the Winslow Township Zoning Office. These fraudulent emails include attached invoices requesting payment by wire transfer. The messages also state that all correspondence must be conducted by email only and instruct recipients to reply to the email for wire transfer instructions.

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Delaware Brownfield Conference, Hosted by DNREC

Environmental professionals, developers, municipal leaders, policymakers and community stakeholders are invited to register now for the Delaware Brownfield Conference to take place Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Registration and conference details are available on the de.gov/brownfields webpage.

Hosted by the DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances, the conference offers a full day of practical learning, networking and collaboration focused on redevelopment outcomes.

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Oregon Man Pleads Guilty to Veterinarian’s Murder in Cherry Hill

An Oregon man has pled guilty to the 2024 murder of a veterinarian in Cherry Hill, announced Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Cherry Hill Police Chief John Ostermueller. Cristian Custodio-Aquino, 28, of Portland, Oregon pled guilty on June 9, 2026, in Superior Court to one count of first-degree Murder in reference to the death of 45-year-old Dr. Michael Anthony of Cherry Hill. Under the terms of the plea, he is expected to be sentenced to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison without the possibility of early parole eligibility. Sentencing is scheduled for July 9, 2026.