Power Strip Causes Fire in Home
On June 7, 2026, Officer Michael Enriquez responded to a residence on Hedgecroft Dr for the report of a fire alarm. The caller advised dispatch that they could see smoke emanating from the area of the residence’s attic. Hopewell Valley Emergency Services, Hopewell Fire Department, Union Fire Company, and Pennington Fire Company responded to assist. Once the fire was extinguished, Hopewell Township Fire Marshal Fosina conducted an on-scene investigation and determined that the fire originated from a power strip in one of the residence’s bedrooms and was not incendiary in nature.
DUI in Parking Lot on Tree Farm Rd
Officer Jack Lane responded to the area of Tree Farm Rd for the report of driver suspected of being under the influence on June 8, 2026. The caller, an off-duty New Jersey State Trooper, reported that a citizen had approached him and provided a description of the suspect vehicle and advised him that they believed that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Trooper then located the vehicle in a parking lot on Tree Farm Rd and contacted the Hopewell Twp Police Department. Upon arrival on scene, Officer Lane and Officer Juba contacted the driver inside a business in Tree Farm Village. The officers observed signs of intoxication while speaking with them. She refused to perform field sobriety tests and was subsequently placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI based on the officers’ observations. They were transported to HTPD headquarters for processing and breath testing. Prior to release, she was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving, and Driving with a Suspended License. The matter will be heard in Hopewell Township Municipal Court.
Brush Fire at Hopewell Valley Golf Club
On June 9, 2026, Officer Kristin Freas-Papa and Officer James Klesney responded to the Hopewell Valley Golf Club for the report of a brush fire. Upon their arrival on scene, they observed a small brush fire near the entrance. The officers then spoke with employees of the golf club who stated that they had heard a loud bang just before seeing the fire. The Hopewell Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. PSE&G also responded, and it was determined that the fire was likely caused by a lightning arrester on the power line malfunctioning.
Impersonating Zelle Representative Leads to Fraudulent Charge
On June 10, 2026, Officer Anthony Pizzola responded to Hopewell Township Police Department for a walk-in report of fraud. The victim reported that on June 6, 2026, he had posted some gym equipment for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Shortly after posting the items for sale, he received a message from a female party stating that her husband was interested in purchasing the items. She then provided the victim with a telephone number and requested that he text her husband to arrange pickup. The victim then had a brief conversation via text with the “husband”, and the two agreed on a sale price of $250.00, which would be paid through Zelle. The suspect then provided the victim with a different number to send a Zelle payment request to. After multiple unsuccessful payments, the victim received a call from an unknown party who identified as a representative for Zelle. This unknown party then requested the victim’s banking information, identification, and social security number. The suspect(s) then signed the victim up for accounts with Cash App, Chime, and Apple Pay and subsequently purchased a $500.00 Apple gift card. The victim froze their accounts after observing the fraudulent charge. The total monetary loss is $500.00. The matter remains under investigation.
Car Reported Stolen from Hopewell Parc, found in Lawrence
Officer Robert Voorhees responded to a residence on Aaron Truehart Way for a report of a stolen motor vehicle on June 11, 2026. The victim reported his 2013 Hyundai Elantra had been stolen from the parking lot near his residence. He also advised that the vehicle keys were missing. He was unable to provide the names of any possible suspects at that time. The vehicle was entered as stolen and subsequently recovered in Lawrence Township on June 12, 2026. At the time of recovery, it was in the possession of someone. They were arrested by the Lawrence Township Police Department, and Hopewell Township officers responded to Lawrence Township and took custody of them. After being transported to HTPD for processing prior to being lodged at the Mercer County Correctional Center, they were charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Theft of Moveable Property, Unlawful Possession of a Motor Vehicle Key Fob, Theft of Mislaid Property, and Credit Card Theft. Additional criminal charges were also filed in Lawrence Township. The matter will be heard in Mercer County Superior Court.
Thousands of Dollars in Fraudulent Charges
On June 11, 2026, Officer Anthony Pizzola responded to HTPD for a walk-in report of fraud. The victim reported that on May 6, 2026, she was advised of $8,000.00 in unauthorized charges from her business checking account. After looking into the matter further, she stated that she had located seven transactions she didn’t authorize, totaling $8,000.00. All these transactions were paid to “Google Ads”. The victim was unsure who may have made the transactions. The victim’s financial institution was notified, and the account was closed. The victim did not suffer any monetary loss as a result of this incident. The matter remains under investigation.
Space Heater Causes Fire in Hopewell Borough
Officer Neil Hunt responded to a residence on Blackwell Ave in Hopewell Borough for the report of an appliance fire on June 13, 2026. Hopewell Valley Emergency Services, Hopewell Fire Department, and Pennington Fire Company responded to assist. Once the fire was extinguished, HVES Specialist VanDoren conducted an on-scene investigation and determined that the fire originated from an electrical outlet after a space heater had been plugged into it, and it was not incendiary in nature.
Harassing Phone Calls Made By Ex-Employee
On June 15, 2026, Officer Michael Crincoli was dispatched to a business on Pennington Rd for a report of harassment. The victim reported that an ex-employee was placing several harassing phone calls and sending harassing text messages to the owner of the business, as well as to one of the current employees. The messages were received after a package addressed to the ex-employee arrived at the business and was returned to the sender. Officer Crincoli made contact with the ex-employee and advised him that he is no longer allowed on the business premises and that he needs to cease all communications and not send any more packages to the business. No criminal charges are being filed at this time at the victim’s request.
Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest for Outstanding Warrant
On June 17, 2026, Officer Collin Brigham was on a traffic enforcement detail on Route 29 when he observed a white Nissan SUV pass by him, traveling north. A check of the vehicle’s registration revealed that it was suspended and that the registered owner had active warrants issued out of Lambertville. Officer Brigham initiated a motor vehicle stop and identified the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. She was then arrested on the outstanding warrant and transported to HTPD for processing. Following processing, she was given a new court date for Lambertville Municipal Court and released on her own recognizance. She was also issued a motor vehicle summons for Driving with a Suspended Registration, which will be heard in Hopewell Township Municipal Court.
Police Pursue Driver Linked to Multi-State Chases
On June 17, 2026, Officer Ryan Finnegan, along with several other HTPD units, were dispatched to the area of Pennington Rd at the request of the Lawrence Township Police Department to check for a white Honda Accord that had been involved in multiple vehicle pursuits in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. A short time later, HTPD dispatch received a call from a female party reporting a possible carjacking in the area of Federal City Rd, involving the same vehicle. While checking the area, Officer Finnegan located a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle’s description and attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop. The suspect vehicle then accelerated instead of stopping, prompting a brief motor vehicle pursuit. The pursuit was ultimately terminated before the suspect vehicle entered Hopewell Borough, due to concerns for public safety. After terminating the pursuit, Officer Finnegan proceeded to Federal City Rd to meet up with HTPD and Lawrence Township officers who were out with the female caller who was determined to be the registered owner of the vehicle. She confirmed that it was not a carjacking and that she had requested to be let out of the vehicle, because she was afraid for her safety following the prior pursuits. She advised that she knew the person driving her vehicle, but was unable to provide a name. She was transported back to HTPD for an interview regarding the incident. While at HTPD, it was determined that she had an outstanding warrant for her arrest out of Mount Laurel. She was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant and processed. She was then given a new court date in Mount Laurel Municipal Court and released on her own recognizance. Detective Makwinski is assisting with the eluding investigation, which remains ongoing.
Portable Battery Inside Suitcase Causes Fire
On June 17, 2026, Officer Brandon Kuzma, along with several other HTPD units, responded to a residence on East Broad St in Hopewell Borough for the report of a smoke condition at a multi-family residence. Hopewell Valley Emergency Services, Hopewell Fire Department, Union Fire Company, Pennington Fire Company, and Montgomery Fire Department responded to assist. While attempting to locate the source of the smoke, a suitcase was in one of the apartments and removed from the building. Hopewell Township Fire Marshals Fosina and Cunningham conducted an on-scene investigation and determined that the fire originated from a portable battery inside the suitcase that had combusted and that it was not incendiary in nature.
Apartment Rental Scam Leads to Theft
On June 18, 2026, Officer Collin Brigham responded to HTPD for a walk-in report of theft. The victim reported that she had been looking at apartments in the Washington D.C. area for her daughter and had found a listing on Facebook Marketplace for a place that they were interested in renting. After contacting the poster, the victim was sent a sublease agreement, which she reviewed and signed. On May 29, 2026, the victim wired a deposit of $2,550.00, which included the security deposit and the first month’s rent. She then received a Zelle request for $350.00 for the keys/locks on June 15, 2026, which was paid to a different party than the one listed on the sublease agreement. After the Zelle payment was sent, the victim’s calls began to be ignored, and when she and her daughter went to the address in Washington, D.C., to meet with the lessor in person, the lessor did not show up, and they learned that the lease did not exist. The victim suffered a monetary loss of $2,900.00 as a result of this incident. The matter remains under investigation.
