The following is the weekly police blotter from the Hopewell Township Police Department:
DWI, Speeding, and Reckless Driving: On 9-2-16 at 02:00, Officer Vincent Amabile stopped a 2016 Ford for Speeding on Rt 29 near Rt 546 [84/45]. While speaking with the driver who was identified as (name omitted) of Cherry Hill NJ, the Officer smelled the odor of alcohol on his breath and person. After roadside sobriety testing he was placed under arrest for DWI. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released to a family member after being cited for DWI, Speeding, and Reckless Driving. His case will be heard in municipal court.
Theft: On 9-8-16 at 12:30 pm, Officer William Gaskill was dispatched to Freedman Jewelers on the report of a theft. Upon his arrival he was informed that 2 unknown black males in their 40’s and an unknown black female in her 30’s had entered the store and distracted employees by asking several questions to employees at the same time. They left the store without purchasing anything. The employees then noticed that 5 pieces of jewelry were missing. The value of the items was $10,089.00.
Burglary and Theft: On 9-11-16 at 6:15 pm, Officer John Ferner and backup units were detailed to a reported burglary in progress on River Drive. 911 calls reported 2 males had entered a residence that was unoccupied and were removing items. Officer Ferner and Officer Mandy Grey arrived on scene and located (name omitted) of Trevose PA and (name omitted) of Langhorne PA alongside the residence. After the investigation Officer Ferner arrested both males for Burglary and Theft. A painting that had been stolen from the residence was recovered. They were placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released after posting bail. Their cases will be forwarded to the Mercer County Prosecutors Office.
Burglary and Theft: On 9-7-16, a victim from Spring Hollow Road advised Officer Christopher Vaccarino that someone entered their attached garage sometime over the course of the past 5 days and stole a mountain bike valued at $550.00.
Burglary and Theft: On 9-11-16 at 2pm, a victim from Washington Avenue in Titusville reported that sometime overnight someone entered his unlocked vehicle and stole approximately $2800.00 dollars’ worth of tools and electronics.
Note from Editor: Why are the names omitted? We’ve received several inquires about why it is necessary to publish names so we’re trying something new. Thoughts? Please feel free to comment below.
Publish the names
No names. In years to come after amends are made and maybe charges dropped or records expunged articles like this may still prevent individuals who straitened up their lives from getting a job or publicly be shamed because someone googles them and something like this comes up. Charges dropped or expunged are due to wrongful charges or the individual has served his punishment and was given a 2nd chance by the court an article like this once published will always be available. We should all trust the court system in deciding what is on a person record, what is on it will be the final official charges & convictions not a preliminary accusation. If the court later decides to expunge or make a deal like PTI so all records are erased then so be it but an article with a name and maybe a picture will always be available somewhere on the web and goes against the 2nd chance the court is trying to provide since they can not remove those published articles. I see the desire to want to know if a neighbor or someone local committed a crime but in all honesty only a job should be effected and an employer should run a background check which would provide the official information otherwise it only creates an opportunity for people to harass, judge, or gang up on an individual without knowing the whole story.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for omitting the names! It’s a kinder form of journalism, especially when accused people are found to be innocent. You rock!