The following is information provided by the Hopewell Township Police Department, which serves Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough:
Porta-potty pyrotechnics at Timberlane
On April 4, Officer Vaccarino responded to Timberlane Middle School athletic fields for a reported criminal mischief involving the Porta-John located on the property. Unknown subjects reportedly lit fireworks inside the Porta-John causing approximately $1200 in damage. The investigation is ongoing.
DUI on Moores Mill Mount Rose Road
On April 4 at 6:11pm, Officer James Hoffman responded to Moores Mill Mount Rose Road for a reported one car motor vehicle crash. While investigating the crash, the driver identified and found to be under the influence of alcohol. The individual was charged with 39:4-50 (driving under the influence) and multiple traffic violations. The matter will be heard in Municipal Court.
Vehicle fire at Capital Health
On April 11 at 10:15am , Officer Ryan Ludwig, along with multiple police and fire services responded to Capital Health – Hopewell Campus for a reported car fire. Fire personnel were able to suppress and extinguish the fire on scene, however multiple vehicles were damaged. The investigation is ongoing into the incident, however no criminal activity is suspected at this time.
Tools stolen in Hopewell Borough
On April 12, Officer James Hoffman responded to a Washington Avenue address in Hopewell Borough for a reported theft. The victim reported that unknown actors entered their workshop and stole several tools, including two chainsaws and one pole saw. The total estimated value of the stolen items was $910. The investigation is ongoing.
You’re no son of mine: Identity scam on Manley Road
On April 13, Officer Ludwig responded to a Manley Road Address for a reported fraud. The victim reported that a male subject attempted to scam the victim out of money stating that the victim’s son was arrested out-of-state and needed bail money. There was no monetary loss reported in this case. The investigation is ongoing.
Shoplifting at grocery stores
On April 3 at 6:17pm, Detective Adam Liotta responded to the Stop & Shop on Denow Road for a reported shoplifting. Store security advised that the suspect was in their office inside the store. Store security had intercepted the suspect in the parking lot with a shopping cart containing items that were not paid for. Security reported that the total value of the items in the cart was $781.21. Liotta placed the individual under arrest at the scene and they were transported to police headquarters for processing and later transported to Mercer County Correctional Center where he was lodged. It should be noted that the individual had an active NCIC Warrant out of Bucks County, PA for arrest as well. This matter will be heard in Superior Court.
On April 15 at 3:59pm, Sgt Lincoln Karnoff responded to the ShopRite on the Pennington Circle for a reported shoplifting that occurred on April 5, 2023. The subject, who has yet to be identified, reportedly stole numerous grocery items and an electric shopping cart. The estimated total value of items stolen have not yet been provided. The investigation is ongoing.
On April 16 at 8pm, Officer Vincent Amabile responded to the Stop & Shop on Denow Road for a reported shoplifting. Store security reported that two unidentified subject stole various baby formula items from the store. The incident was caught on surveillance video and shows two male subjects as the suspects in the case. They left the scene in a vehicle, which was also identified on video. The total value of items stolen was $749.69. The investigation is ongoing.
Four instances of identity theft / fraud
On April 3, Officer Steven Ciosek responded to a Benjamin Trail address for a reported identity theft and fraud. The victim reported that a Bank of America debit card and two bank accounts were created fraudulently in her name. The victim reported no financial loss at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
On April 5, Officer Blake DeMeter met with the victim of identity theft at police headquarters. The victim reported that her identity had been used to create a fraudulent bank account. The victim believed that her personal email account was also hacked. There was an attempt made to withdraw $25,000 from her bank account, however no financial loss was sustained. The investigation is ongoing.
On April 13, Officer DeMeter met with the victim of an identity theft at police headquarters. The victim reported that they received a Bank of America debit card in the mail, which they did not apply for. The victim’s identity was used to open the account. Ultimately, the account was closed and no monetary loss was reported. The investigation is ongoing.
On April 14, Officer Landon Zagacki responded to a Blake Drive address for a reported identity theft. The victim reported that multiple Bank of America bank accounts were opened in their name. The accounts were opened using the victim’s personal information. The accounts were ultimately closed, and the victim reported no monetary loss. The investigation is ongoing.
DUI on Madison Avenue
On April 14, Officer Amabile was dispatched to the area of Madison Avenue in Pennington for a reported suspicious person. Upon arrival, Amabile made contact with a subject who was sleeping in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The subject stated he drove the vehicle. After performing field sobriety tests at the scene, the individual was placed under arrest for DUI, and was transported to HTPD for processing and later released from custody. The individual was charged with 39:4-50 DUI and other traffic summonses. This matter is scheduled to be heard in Municipal Court.
Dirt bike burglary
On April 16 at 1:34pm, Officer Landon Zagacki responded to a Pennington Road address for a reported burglary. Upon arrival, the victim reported that two of their dirt bikes were stolen from inside their garage. The dirt bikes were thought to have been stolen between 4/15/2023 and 4/16/2023 during the overnight hours. The bikes were described as a Red Honda dirt bike and a Green Kawasaki dirt bike. The investigation is ongoing.
