The following is information provided by the Hopewell Township Police Department, which serves Hopewell Township, NJ and Hopewell Borough, NJ:
Driver abandons crashed car on Washington Crossing-Pennington Road
On January 2, 2023 at approximately 3:02am Ryan Officer Ludwig responded to a motor vehicle crash on Route 29 near the intersection of Washington Crossing Pennington Road. The crash was reported as a single car accident. The car was found unattended by the initial responding officers. The operator, later identified as an individual from Almonte Springs, FL, was found to have left the scene. Due to conflicting statements and evidence at the scene, Officer Ludwig charged the individual with Obstruction of the Administration of Law, Failure to Report an Accident, and Abandonment of a Motor Vehicle. This matter is scheduled to be heard in Hopewell Township Municipal Court.
Hopewell Borough windshield smashed overnight
On January 3, 2023 at approximately 9:12 AM, Officer Vincent Amabile was dispatched to Center Street, Hopewell Borough, for a criminal mischief report. The victim reported that the windshield of the victim’s Honda CRV was smashed. The incident occurred overnight between the night of January 2 to morning of January 3. The estimated damage to the vehicle is approximately $258. The investigation is ongoing.
Residential burglary
On January 3, 2023 at approximately 2:15am, patrol units responded to a Corrine Drive, Hopewell Township address for a reported residential burglary. The victim reported hearing their garage door open and close. The victim then found a cut master lock in their driveway that previously secured an exterior garage. The victim reported that their vehicle also was entered, but only the garage door opener was missing from the vehicle. There were no other items reported stolen. The burglary is under investigation by Detective Collins.
Fraudulent withdrawals of funds under investigation
Victim reported on December 26, 2022 at approximately 8:56am that a fraudulent check was used to withdraw funds from his personal bank account. Officer Paul Alvaro was detailed to the walk-in report of fraud and theft. The victim suffered a loss of $1,500 due to the transaction. The suspect in this case has not yet been identified. The incident is under investigation.
On December 28 2022 at approximately 12:53pm, Officer James Klesney was detailed to the Hopewell Township Police Department lobby for a walk-in report of fraud/theft. The victim reported that a personal check was used to withdraw funds from his personal bank account. The check was previously reported stolen by the victim. The suspect attempted to withdraw $150 from the victim’s account using the check. There was no reported loss of funds in this case. The investigation is ongoing.
On January 7, 2023 Officer Jonathan Pauciullo responded to the Hopewell Township Police Department lobby for a walk-in report of theft / fraud. The victim reported that unknown actor(s) used the victim’s Walmart account to make purchase of various goods. The victim reported a loss of $85.20. The investigation is ongoing.
Cooking oil tank stolen from Shop-Rite shed
On December 29, 2022 at approximately 5:18pm, Officer Neil Hunt was dispatched to the Shop-Rite of Pennington for a reported theft from their exterior shed. According to the reporting party, the plastic exterior shed was broken into and a cooking oil tank was stolen from inside. Discovery of the missing tank was made on December 27, 2022. The oil tank and its contents were valued at $1,200. The investigation is ongoing.
Capital Health employee reports theft of personal items, including wallet
On January 1, 2023 at approximately 3:57 PM, Officer Jonathan Pauciullo was dispatched to the police station lobby for a walk-in report of theft. The victim, an employee of Capital Health Medical Center, reported that their personal belongings were stolen while they were working. Missing from the victim’s personal wallet was $300 cash and their New Jersey driver’s license. The investigation is ongoing.
Fictitious license found during traffic stop
On January 7, 2023 at approximately 08:06am, Officer Ludwig conducted a motor vehicle stop on North Route 31 in Pennington. During the motor vehicle stop, it was discovered that the driver was in possession of false government documents and fictitious license plates. The driver, from Philadelphia, PA, was arrested and charged. The matter will be heard in Superior Court.
Driver flees traffic stop, crashes, flees again
On January 8, 2023 at approximately 07:38am, Officer Landon Zagacki made a motor vehicle stop of a Black Jeep Cherokee. The driver, later identified as an individual from Hillsborough, NJ, fled the motor vehicle stop. Shortly thereafter, police units were dispatched to the area of the Pennington Traffic Circle near the Wells Fargo Bank for a report motor vehicle crash involving the same vehicle. Upon officers arrival, the suspect fled on foot, was then apprehended and arrested by Officer Zagacki. The individual was charged with Hindering Apprehension, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance and Paraphernalia. The matter will be heard in Superior Court.
