Community
(609) 799-1222
Records Fax (609) 799-6338 * Fax (609) 897-9010
DB Fax (609) 799-6515 * Dispatch Fax (609) 799-3516
PRESS INFORMATION
INCIDENT: 2020-5769 Possession of Under 50 grams of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/24/20 at 12:57 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: U.S. Route 1 and Varsity Ave.
OFFICER: Ptl. M. Erkoboni #5102
Ptl. A. Mangone #5112
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Brayon L. Patterson, Black male, 29 years old
Resident of Trenton, NJ 08618
DETAILS: While Ptl. Erkoboni was traveling on U.S. Route 1 in her patrol vehicle, a blue Dodge coupe that had dark tinted front windows passed her patrol vehicle traveling in excess of the posted 55 mph speed limit. Ptl. Erkoboni initiated a stop on the vehicle, and during the stop, Brayon Patterson was found to be in possession of under 50 grams of raw marijuana in a clear plastic bag, a rolled tobacco “blunt” containing marijuana, and a glass pipe containing burnt marijuana residue. Patterson was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending a future date at West Windsor Municipal Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
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INCIDENT: 2020-6056 Burglary (to motor vehicle) & Theft
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/26/20 between 5:15 PM to 5:25 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: KinderCare parking lot
OFFICER: Ptl. T. Hoffman #5110
Ptl. G. De Blasio #5111
DETAILS: Ptl. Hoffman investigated the theft of a backpack from a vehicle. The victim had parked her vehicle in the parking lot of KinderCare, and left it unlocked while she went inside to pick up her two children. She was inside for about 5 to 10 minutes, and when she came out, she realized her backpack that was on her front passenger seat was gone. The backpack contained her wallet, car & house keys, cell phone and other items. The victim was driven to her residence in East Windsor, and officers assisted her getting through an unlocked window so she could get her spare keys. She was then driven back to KinderCare. Her husband tracked her stolen cell phone using an app, officers searched for it and were able to find it in the grass, on the side of Rabbit Hill Rd. with a cracked screen.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
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INCIDENT: 2020-6165 Shoplifting
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/27/20 at 12:39 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Target, 500 Nassau Park Blvd.
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Shirin Edwin, Asian female, 45 years old
Resident of Skillman, NJ 08558
OFFICER: Ptl. D. Montgomery #569
DETAILS: Ptl. Montgomery was detailed to the Target store for a shoplifter being detained by Assets Protection. Investigation determined that while Shirin Edwin was shopping and putting items in her cart, she was also concealing some items into her purse. When she went to the checkout, she paid for the items in her cart, but not for the items in her purse. Edwin was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending a future date at West Windsor Municipal Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE:
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6180 Shoplifting
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/27/20 at 4:20 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Target, 500 Nassau Park Blvd.
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Diana Allen, White female, 45 years old
Resident of Roebling, NJ 08554
OFFICER: Ptl. D. Montgomery #569
DETAILS: Ptl. Montgomery was detailed to the Target store for a shoplifter being detained by Assets Protection. Investigation determined that while Diana Allen was walking around the store, she selected printer ink cartridges, and pints of ice cream which she concealed into her purse. She then walked past all points of sale without paying. Allen was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending a future date at West Windsor Municipal Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6190 Shoplifting
Service of Warrant
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/27/20 at 7:53 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Target, 500 Nassau Park Blvd.
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Leroy Wise, Black male, 60 years old
Resident of Trenton, NJ 08608
OFFICER: Ptl. Fiore #5105
DETAILS: Patrol units were detailed to Target for a shoplifting in progress. Investigation determined that Leroy Wise selected six printer ink cartridges, went to a nearby aisle, and concealed them into a plastic bag that he took out of his pocket. He then attempted to leave the store without paying. Wise provided officers with two false names before finally revealing who he really was. It was then determined that he had a warrant for his arrest from Trenton. Wise was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending future Court dates in West Windsor and Trenton.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6275 Shoplifting
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/28/20 at 3:08 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Target, 500 Nassau Park Blvd.
OFFICER: Sgt. McMahon #580
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Kailee Harmstead, White female, 21 years old
Resident of Manasquan, NJ 08736
DETAILS: Sgt. McMahon responded to the Target store for a shoplifter being detained by Assets Protection. Investigation determined that Kailee Harmstead selected merchandise, went to the self-checkout and did not scan any of her items. She did not pay for any of the items she had and attempted to leave the store. Harmstead was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending a future date at West Windsor Municipal Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6281 Theft by Deception
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/28/20 between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: The Mews at Princeton Junction
OFFICER: Ptl. M. Erkoboni #5102
DETAILS: A resident of the Mews at Princeton Junction reported that since the beginning of the year he was receiving emails claiming that his identity had been stolen and that he was under suspicion by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). On the date of this report, he received a phone call telling him his social security number was being used for criminal activity, and that his bank accounts would be seized. He later received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Princeton Police Department with a spoofed Caller ID showing Princeton PD’s actual phone number. He was told by the “officer” that they were verifying that the DEA was conducting an investigation and to comply with their instructions. He was then told to withdraw money out of his bank accounts and to purchase gift cards so that his money could be stored safely and avoid seizure. After purchasing two (2) $500 gift cards and providing the account numbers and security code to the person on the phone, he became suspicious. When he checked the balances on the gift cards, they were both $0.00.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6819 DWI
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 03/04/20 at 6:38 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Meadow Rd. and U.S. Route 1
OFFICER: Ptl. K. LaForge #5104
Ptl. K. Brown #589
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Mark Ashley, White male, 69 years old
Resident of Newtown, PA 18940
DETAILS: Ptl. Brown and Ptl. LaForge responded to a motor vehicle crash on Meadow Rd. Investigation determined that a white BMW SUV, driven by Mark Ashley, had struck the rear of a car that was stopped and waiting to turn. Ashley was determined to be DWI and arrested. He was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released after he was sober pending a future date at West Windsor Municipal Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6935 Possession of Heroin
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 03/05/20 at 7:59 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Wellington Estates
OFFICER: Ptl. F. Zicha & K9 Hodge
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Steven V. Hottinger, White male, 47 years old
Resident of South Brunswick, NJ 08852
DETAILS: Ptl. Zicha observed a suspicious vehicle leaving the neighborhood where patrol had just responded to a heroin overdose. He followed the silver Chevy coupe and initiated a stop after observing it fail to properly stop at a Red light and for exceeding the speed limit. When the driver, Steven Hottinger, was questioned about why he was driving around Wellington Estates, he claimed he liked to drive through neighborhoods on his way home to South Brunswick. During the stop, and with the assistance of drug detecting K9 Hodge, Hottinger was found to be in possession of one bundle and five decks of heroin (stamped “TNT Dynamite”), and a wooden pipe containing burnt cocaine residue. Hottinger was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending a future date at Mercer County Superior Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
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*Please note that charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
**WWPD Police Blotter 3/24/2020 Completed by Det. Sgt. Lai and Issued by Lt. Lee--**Our Operations Do not Cease**
**NOTE: We want to assure our community that our operations continue under the steady & calm leadership of Chief Garofalo. Regardless of the situation or what harm's way (especially the unknown), our staff may encounter, we will not falter and will not fail in serving you. We will get through this together. There is no better community. Thank you for your continued support for each other and especially the WWPD.--Lt. Lee
WEST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
20 Municipal Drive * P.O. Box 38
West Windsor, New Jersey 08550
ROBERT GAROFALO PhD(c), Chief of Police
(609) 799-1222
Records Fax (609) 799-6338 * Fax (609) 897-9010
DB Fax (609) 799-6515 * Dispatch Fax (609) 799-3516
PRESS INFORMATION
INCIDENT: 2020-5769 Possession of Under 50 grams of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/24/20 at 12:57 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: U.S. Route 1 and Varsity Ave.
OFFICER: Ptl. M. Erkoboni #5102
Ptl. A. Mangone #5112
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Brayon L. Patterson, Black male, 29 years old
Resident of Trenton, NJ 08618
DETAILS: While Ptl. Erkoboni was traveling on U.S. Route 1 in her patrol vehicle, a blue Dodge coupe that had dark tinted front windows passed her patrol vehicle traveling in excess of the posted 55 mph speed limit. Ptl. Erkoboni initiated a stop on the vehicle, and during the stop, Brayon Patterson was found to be in possession of under 50 grams of raw marijuana in a clear plastic bag, a rolled tobacco “blunt” containing marijuana, and a glass pipe containing burnt marijuana residue. Patterson was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending a future date at West Windsor Municipal Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6056 Burglary (to motor vehicle) & Theft
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/26/20 between 5:15 PM to 5:25 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: KinderCare parking lot
OFFICER: Ptl. T. Hoffman #5110
Ptl. G. De Blasio #5111
DETAILS: Ptl. Hoffman investigated the theft of a backpack from a vehicle. The victim had parked her vehicle in the parking lot of KinderCare, and left it unlocked while she went inside to pick up her two children. She was inside for about 5 to 10 minutes, and when she came out, she realized her backpack that was on her front passenger seat was gone. The backpack contained her wallet, car & house keys, cell phone and other items. The victim was driven to her residence in East Windsor, and officers assisted her getting through an unlocked window so she could get her spare keys. She was then driven back to KinderCare. Her husband tracked her stolen cell phone using an app, officers searched for it and were able to find it in the grass, on the side of Rabbit Hill Rd. with a cracked screen.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6165 Shoplifting
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/27/20 at 12:39 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Target, 500 Nassau Park Blvd.
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Shirin Edwin, Asian female, 45 years old
Resident of Skillman, NJ 08558
OFFICER: Ptl. D. Montgomery #569
DETAILS: Ptl. Montgomery was detailed to the Target store for a shoplifter being detained by Assets Protection. Investigation determined that while Shirin Edwin was shopping and putting items in her cart, she was also concealing some items into her purse. When she went to the checkout, she paid for the items in her cart, but not for the items in her purse. Edwin was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending a future date at West Windsor Municipal Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE:
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6180 Shoplifting
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/27/20 at 4:20 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Target, 500 Nassau Park Blvd.
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Diana Allen, White female, 45 years old
Resident of Roebling, NJ 08554
OFFICER: Ptl. D. Montgomery #569
DETAILS: Ptl. Montgomery was detailed to the Target store for a shoplifter being detained by Assets Protection. Investigation determined that while Diana Allen was walking around the store, she selected printer ink cartridges, and pints of ice cream which she concealed into her purse. She then walked past all points of sale without paying. Allen was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending a future date at West Windsor Municipal Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6190 Shoplifting
Service of Warrant
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/27/20 at 7:53 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Target, 500 Nassau Park Blvd.
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Leroy Wise, Black male, 60 years old
Resident of Trenton, NJ 08608
OFFICER: Ptl. Fiore #5105
DETAILS: Patrol units were detailed to Target for a shoplifting in progress. Investigation determined that Leroy Wise selected six printer ink cartridges, went to a nearby aisle, and concealed them into a plastic bag that he took out of his pocket. He then attempted to leave the store without paying. Wise provided officers with two false names before finally revealing who he really was. It was then determined that he had a warrant for his arrest from Trenton. Wise was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending future Court dates in West Windsor and Trenton.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6275 Shoplifting
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/28/20 at 3:08 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Target, 500 Nassau Park Blvd.
OFFICER: Sgt. McMahon #580
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Kailee Harmstead, White female, 21 years old
Resident of Manasquan, NJ 08736
DETAILS: Sgt. McMahon responded to the Target store for a shoplifter being detained by Assets Protection. Investigation determined that Kailee Harmstead selected merchandise, went to the self-checkout and did not scan any of her items. She did not pay for any of the items she had and attempted to leave the store. Harmstead was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending a future date at West Windsor Municipal Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6281 Theft by Deception
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 02/28/20 between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: The Mews at Princeton Junction
OFFICER: Ptl. M. Erkoboni #5102
DETAILS: A resident of the Mews at Princeton Junction reported that since the beginning of the year he was receiving emails claiming that his identity had been stolen and that he was under suspicion by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). On the date of this report, he received a phone call telling him his social security number was being used for criminal activity, and that his bank accounts would be seized. He later received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Princeton Police Department with a spoofed Caller ID showing Princeton PD’s actual phone number. He was told by the “officer” that they were verifying that the DEA was conducting an investigation and to comply with their instructions. He was then told to withdraw money out of his bank accounts and to purchase gift cards so that his money could be stored safely and avoid seizure. After purchasing two (2) $500 gift cards and providing the account numbers and security code to the person on the phone, he became suspicious. When he checked the balances on the gift cards, they were both $0.00.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6819 DWI
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 03/04/20 at 6:38 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Meadow Rd. and U.S. Route 1
OFFICER: Ptl. K. LaForge #5104
Ptl. K. Brown #589
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Mark Ashley, White male, 69 years old
Resident of Newtown, PA 18940
DETAILS: Ptl. Brown and Ptl. LaForge responded to a motor vehicle crash on Meadow Rd. Investigation determined that a white BMW SUV, driven by Mark Ashley, had struck the rear of a car that was stopped and waiting to turn. Ashley was determined to be DWI and arrested. He was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released after he was sober pending a future date at West Windsor Municipal Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
INCIDENT: 2020-6935 Possession of Heroin
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 03/05/20 at 7:59 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: Wellington Estates
OFFICER: Ptl. F. Zicha & K9 Hodge
WHO: (ARRESTED, INJURED, DRIVER, VICTIM, OTHER)
Arrested: Steven V. Hottinger, White male, 47 years old
Resident of South Brunswick, NJ 08852
DETAILS: Ptl. Zicha observed a suspicious vehicle leaving the neighborhood where patrol had just responded to a heroin overdose. He followed the silver Chevy coupe and initiated a stop after observing it fail to properly stop at a Red light and for exceeding the speed limit. When the driver, Steven Hottinger, was questioned about why he was driving around Wellington Estates, he claimed he liked to drive through neighborhoods on his way home to South Brunswick. During the stop, and with the assistance of drug detecting K9 Hodge, Hottinger was found to be in possession of one bundle and five decks of heroin (stamped “TNT Dynamite”), and a wooden pipe containing burnt cocaine residue. Hottinger was processed at WWPD Headquarters and released pending a future date at Mercer County Superior Court.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: DSgt. J. Lai #470
DATE OF RELEASE: 3/24/2020
****************
*Please note that charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Address/Location
West Windsor Police Department, NJ
271 Clarksville Rd
West Windsor Township, NJ 08550
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 609-799-1222
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP WWPD followed by your message, to 888777