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Police Blotter

by Community Contributor

Pennington Borough has released the following advisory:

“Due to a recent rash of overnight car burglaries on numerous streets located in Pennington Boro and surrounding municipalities all residents are advised to always lock their vehicles even when parked in their own driveways. In this latest rash of burglaries all the vehicles entered were left unlocked. Keep valuables out of sight.”

The Hopewell Township Police Department reports the following incidents (this report precedes the incidents Pennington Borough is referring to. MercerMe will continue to report as information becomes available):

On January 27, 2020, at approximately 1:34pm, Officer Michael Makwinski responded to a victim who came to the police department to a report a burglary/theft from a Pennington Rocky Hill Road address. The victim advised that between January 25 and January 27, 2020 an unknown actor(s) entered the shed on their property and removed two motorcycles and one ATV. This incident is pending further investigation and has been assigned to Detective Maccaquano.

On January 25, 2020, Officer Nicholas Sparaco was on random patrol when he was advised of a possible stolen vehicle in the area.  Moments later, Officer Sparaco observed the described vehicle on State Highway 31 in the area of Woosamonsa Rd. Officer Sparaco attempted to stop the vehicle but the suspect vehicle accelerated away from the officer at a high rate of speed. Officer Sparaco pursued the vehicle for a short distance when the pursuit was terminated. 

Officer Sparaco was then provided with additional information that the vehicle was located on Hopkinson Court. Officer Sparaco proceeded to this location to locate the suspects and the involved vehicle. The suspects were located and taken into custody without incident. 

Further investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle was found to be in possession of the stolen vehicle, a handgun, and a high capacity handgun magazine. He was also charged with eluding. He was arrested and transported to the Hopewell Township Police Department for processing, was charged with the above offenses, and later turned over to the Mercer County Correctional facility. 

The passenger in the vehicle was charged with receiving stolen property and hindering apprehension as he provided Officer Sparaco with a false name during the investigation.  He also was turned over to the Mercer County Correctional facility. These cases will be heard in superior court.

On January 24 at approximately 11:44pm, Sgt. James Rosso conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of State Highway 31 and Ingleside Ave. after he observed a traffic violation. Further investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle was found to be operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and transported to Hopewell Township Police Department where he was processed and issued multiple summonses. This case will be heard in Municipal Court.  

Officer Christopher Vaccarino responded to a person who came to the Police Department to report a theft on January 22. The victim reported that sometime between January 14 and January 20, an unknown individual took a bank check that was in an envelope and placed into the U.S. mail. The victim later learned that her bank account was accessed with the information that was contained on the check. The case will be investigated.

Officer Michael Makwinski responded to a business on American Boulevard for the report of criminal mischief to a motor vehicle on January 17. The victim reported that sometime between 7am and 6:30pm on January 17, an unknown individual caused damage to his vehicle that was parked and unoccupied. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the police department.

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