Driver Charged With Eluding After Chase
On June 17, 2026, Officer Ryan Finnegan, along with several other Hopewell Township Police Department 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. 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’s vehicle then accelerated instead of stopping, prompting a brief motor vehicle pursuit. The pursuit was terminated a short time later, prior to the suspect’s apprehension. On June 20, 2026, with the assistance of Lumberton Police Department, the driver of the vehicle was identified. They were charged with Eluding Police in a Motor Vehicle, as well as several motor vehicle violations in both Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough. The criminal matter will be heard in Mercer County Superior Court, while the motor vehicle violations will be heard in Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough Municipal Courts.
Passenger Arrested on Outstanding Warrant After Traffic Stop
On June 20, 2026, Officer Toney Rushing and Officer Stanton were on a traffic enforcement detail on Pennington Rd when they observed a vehicle traveling southbound with tinted front windows. A motor vehicle stop was initiated for the observed violation, and a check of the vehicle’s registration revealed that the registered owner, had an active warrant out of East Windsor Township. Officer Rushing identified the person with the warrant as a passenger in the vehicle. He was then arrested on the outstanding warrant and transported to HTPD for processing. Following processing, he was given a new court date for East Windsor Municipal Court and released after posting bail.
Soap and Energy Drinks Stolen from Stop & Shop
Officer James Stanton was dispatched to Stop & Shop for a report of shoplifting on June 5, 2026. Loss prevention reported that approximately one hour prior to contacting police, an unknown male suspect entered the store, filled a shopping cart with multiple bars of Dove soap, Red Bull energy drinks, and Monster energy drinks, totaling $536.65, and exited the store without paying for the items. The male then left the scene in a black Hyundai SUV bearing a New Jersey registration. Officer Stanton conducted a follow-up investigation and identified the vehicle’s registered female owner and the male suspect. On June 20, 2026, criminal charges were filed against both. He was charged with Shoplifting and she was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting. The matter will be heard in Mercer County Superior Court.
Watches Stolen from Home
On June 21, 2026, Officer Christopher Hayes responded to a residence on N. Greenwood Ave in Hopewell Borough for a report of theft. The victim reported that unknown people had stolen two watches from his residence, which he rents out as an Airbnb. He was unsure exactly when the watches were taken or by whom but stated that the theft had occurred sometime within the last year. The total estimated value of the stolen watches is approximately $17,000.00. The incident remains under investigation.
Traffic Stop leads to Outstanding Warrant Arrest in Hopewell
Officer Jack Lane was conducting a traffic enforcement detail on East Broad St in Hopewell Borough on June 22, 2026, when he observed a vehicle traveling eastbound with an expired inspection sticker. A motor vehicle stop was initiated for the observed violation, and Officer Lane made contact with the driver. A check of her driver’s license was conducted and showed that she had an active warrant out of Middlesex County. She was arrested on the outstanding warrant and transported to HTPD for processing. Following processing, she was transported to the Mercer County Corrections Center, where she was lodged on the outstanding warrant. She was also issued a motor vehicle summons for Failure to Have Inspection. The traffic matter will be heard in Hopewell Borough Municipal Court.
Fraudulent Text Leads to Unauthorized Transactions
On June 22, 2026, Officer Kristin Freas-Papa and Officer Juba responded to HTPD for a walk-in report of fraud. The victim reported multiple unauthorized transactions on her TD Bank account beginning in January 2026. She stated that she believed the fraudulent activity began after her husband responded to a text message that appeared to be from Verizon, asking whether they wanted to make a payment to their account. After contacting Verizon, they learned that the text message was fraudulent, and the charges were unauthorized. The total value of the fraudulent transactions was $6,553.13. The victim advised that she had notified TD Bank, and the matter remains under investigation.
Construction Materials Reported Stolen
Officer Paul Alvaro responded to HTPD for a walk-in report of theft on June 22, 2026. The victim reported that he believed multiple pieces of construction material had been stolen from a property on Pennington Harbourton Road. The missing items included lumber, sheet metal, and wire. The theft is believed to have occurred sometime within the last three months. There were no surveillance cameras in the area. The total value of the stolen materials was estimated at approximately $275.00. The matter remains under investigation.
Disabled Car Leads to Outstanding Warrant
On June 24, 2026, Officer Michael Crincoli responded to the area of Route 31 and Search Ave for a motorist aid. A third-party caller had reported an unoccupied vehicle in the roadway. Upon arrival, Officer Crincoli made contact with two males who were with the vehicle and they advised that it had become disabled. One of the males identified himself as the driver of the vehicle. A check of the vehicle’s registration revealed that it had expired, and a subsequent check of his driver’s license revealed multiple outstanding warrants issued by the City of Trenton. He was arrested on the outstanding warrants and transported to HTPD for processing. He was then given a new court date for Trenton Municipal Court and released on his own recognizance.
Playhouse Stolen from Home
On June 29, 2026, Officer Brandon Kuzma responded to a residence on Route 31 for a report of theft. The victim reported that an unknown male entered his property on June 28, 2026, at approximately 10:53 A.M., and stole a wooden playhouse from his front lawn. Officer Kuzma was provided with Ring camera footage which showed the unidentified suspect approach the residence and ring the doorbell. After receiving no response, the suspect then walked to the passenger side of a black four-door pickup truck, possibly a GMC Hummer EV, that was parked near the roadway. The male then appeared to speak with another individual, who was not observed on video. The Ring recording ended shortly after the suspect walked away from the residence and did not capture the playhouse being loaded into the vehicle. However, a subsequent Ring recording captured shortly thereafter showed that the playhouse was no longer on the property. The suspect was described as an average-built male with a shaved head or balding hairstyle. He was wearing a black Nike T-shirt, light gray athletic shorts, white crew socks, and black-and-white low-top shoes. The stolen playhouse is valued at approximately $341.19. The incident remains under investigation.
Inspection Sticker Leads to Outstand Warrant Arrest
Details: On July 1, 2026, Officer Brandon Kuzma was on a traffic enforcement detail on Bear Tavern Rd when he observed a vehicle traveling northbound with an expired inspection sticker. A motor vehicle stop was initiated for the observed violation, and a check of the vehicle’s registration revealed that the registered owner had active warrants out of Passaic, Bloomfield, and Harrison. After identifying the driver of the vehicle, he was then arrested on the outstanding warrants and transported to HTPD for processing. Following processing, he was given a new court dates for each of the respective jurisdictions and released on his own recognizance. He was also issued a motor vehicle summons for Failure to Have Inspection. The traffic matter will be heard in Hopewell Township Municipal Court.
