Galloway Police Blotter September 17 - 23, 2017

Galloway Township Police responded to 847 calls for service during September 17, 2017 through September 23, 2017.

Additional statistics include: 3 Burglaries, 3 Vehicle Burglaries, 30 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 81 Tickets issued, 6 Driving While Intoxicated, 29 Arrests, 7 Domestic Violence, 3 Fire Calls, 19 EMS Calls and 3 Juvenile calls.

Burglaries:   

800 Block of Smith Bowen Rd.

500 Block of Highland Ave    X 2

100 Block of Sylvan Ave.

Vehicle Burglaries:     

Mohave Dr.

Club Place   X 3

100 Block of Club Pl.

AJ's Cafe' Shut Down; "Exotic" Birds and Cat Located in Kitchen Area

On Friday September 29, 2017 at 12:08 p.m., the Galloway Township Police Department responded to AJ’s Café on the Lake, for an unrelated incident when they observed numerous animals loose inside the restaurant, specifically the kitchen and food preparatory area. 

The restaurant was found to be operating without a Township approved mercantile license and was immediately shut down and the County Board of Health was contacted to respond. 

Numerous animals to include three (3) exotic birds and a cat were gathered and turned over to a friend for safe keeping and care-taking while the restaurant was closed up and posted by both Township Code Officials and the County Health Department. 

Suspect Caught in String of Burglaries in Galloway Township

On September 19, 2017, the Galloway Township Police Department took a report of a residential burglary on Sylvan Avenue.  Further investigation by Det. Bryan Casey resulted in the arrest of Daniel Cruse, 30, of Egg Harbor Township.  Cruse was charged with burglary and theft.

On September 21, 2017, a residential burglary in progress was reported on Highlands Avenue.  Galloway Township Police officers immediately responded to the area and a search was conducted with the assistance of an Egg Harbor Township Police K-9 Unit and a New Jersey State Police helicopter.  The suspect was not located at that time.  

An additional residential burglary was also reported on Highlands Avenue on the same date.

Absegami Student Arrested After Bringing Fake Gun To School; High School Forced to Shelter-in-Place

On Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 9:05 a.m., the Galloway Township Police Department responded to Absegami High School for the report of a student that brandished a handgun to another student. 

Staff immediately placed the school into a shelter in place and upon arrival, Officers were able to quickly apprehend the suspect, J.E. a 16 year-old male student without incident. 

The weapon in question was located in the student’s book bag and determined to be an imitation firearm. No injuries resulted from this incident and the shelter in place was lifted accordingly for school to resume. 

Galloway Police Blotter September 10 - 16, 2017

Galloway Township Police responded to 937 calls for service during September 10, 2017 through September 16, 2017.

Additional statistics include: 1 Burglaries, 0 Vehicle Burglaries, 22 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 156 Tickets issued, 3 Driving While Intoxicated, 42 Arrests, 20 Domestic Violence, 4 Fire Calls, 16 EMS Calls and 0 Juvenile calls.

Burglary:     
200 Block of E. White Horse Pike.

Atlantic City Man Charged with Sexual Assault on Child

Santos Blanco

MAYS LANDING– An Atlantic City man is charged with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child in connection to incidents he committed against a juvenile victim during the course of several years, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

After a month long joint investigation with Detectives from the Pleasantville and Atlantic City Police Departments, detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested 41 year-old Santos Blanco on Tuesday September 19, 2017.

Blanco is charged with 2 counts of 1st degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, 2 counts of 2nd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and 1 count of 3rd degree Endangering. The incidents of sexual assault occurred at Blanco’s residence in Atlantic City, as well as other locations. Investigation is currently ongoing with respect to other potential victims of Blanco.

Galloway Township Employee Arrested and Charged with Official Misconduct and Theft

Galloway Township Police have arrested and charged a Galloway Township employee after an investigation into potential irregularities in finances.

According to Police, during the month of July, information was brought to the attention of the Galloway Township Police Department that there were potential irregularities in the handling of finances in the Galloway Township Community Services/Recreation Department. 

On August 30,  2017, Township employee Jennifer Diluzio, 36 of Galloway, who was the Administrative Assistant in the Community Services/Recreation Department was arrested and charged with Official Misconduct and Theft. 

Diluzio was released on a Summons pending her appearance in court. 

The investigation remains on-going at this time by Captain Christopher Doyle of the Galloway Township Police Department. 

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Capt. Christopher Doyle at (609) 652-3705. 

Police Investigating Double Homicide in Buena Borough

Updated: Autopsies completed on homicide victims Damon Jones, 34, of Bridgeton and Talisa Colon, 23, of Vineland, show both victims died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Original Release
MAYS LANDING– Authorities are investigating a double homicide that occurred early Saturday morning in Buena Borough, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

A 911 call was received at the Buena Borough Police department at 1:19 a.m., on Saturday for a report of shots fired and information that someone may have been shot.

Officers from the Buena Borough Police Department arrived at 408 Wheat Road, Buena Borough, and inside a vehicle officers found a 34 year-old male and 23 year-old female who were both shot. The man and woman were pronounced dead at the scene.

Search Warrant Results in EHT Man Charged on Multiple Drug and Weapon Offenses

MAYS LANDING– An Egg Harbor Township man was charged with multiple drug charges, including drug manufacturing and weapons charges after the execution of a search warrant at an Egg Harbor Township hotel room, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

After the execution of a search warrant at a hotel room located at the Howard Johnson's Hotel, at 6817 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township on September 13, 2017.

Malik Smith, 25, was charged with the following:

Galloway Police Blotter September 3 - 9, 2017

Galloway Township Police responded to 930 calls for service during September 3, 2017 through September 9, 2017.

Additional statistics include: 2 Burglaries, 1 Vehicle Burglaries, 22 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 91 Tickets issued, 1 Driving While Intoxicated, 39 Arrests, 10 Domestic Violence, 8 Fire Calls, 28 EMS Calls and 3 Juvenile calls.

Burglaries:   

Liberty Ct.

Greenwich Dr.

Vehicle Burglary:      

200 Block of Park Ave.

Galloway Police Blotter August 27 - September 2, 2017

Galloway Township Police responded to 913 calls for service during August 27, 2017 through September 2, 2017.

Additional statistics include: 2 Burglaries, 0 Vehicle Burglaries, 28 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 93 Tickets issued, 4 Driving While Intoxicated, 28 Arrests, 13 Domestic Violence, 5 Fire Calls, 16 EMS Calls and 0 Juvenile calls.

Burglaries:   

100 Block of Old Port Republic

100 Block of Shepherd Way

Galloway Couple Charged with Assault on Toddler Daughter; Endangering and Drug Charges

MAYS LANDING- Following a month and a half long investigation by detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Galloway Township Police Department, a township couple was arrested Friday and charged in connection to the aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of their toddler daughter.

Friday morning detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Galloway Township Police Department arrested Yolanda Torres, 33 and Jose Velez, 52.

Torres was charged with second degree Aggravated Assault and two counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Velez was charged with two counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Upon his arrest, Velez was found to be in possession of Xanax pills and was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and possession with the Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

Juvenile on Bicycle Injured in Collision with Motor Vehicle

On September 7, 2017 at 7:23 a.m., Galloway Township Police responded to a motor vehicle accident involving a juvenile on a bicycle.

According to Police, Lisa Keiner, 60 of Galloway, was traveling westbound on Great Creek Road in a 2017 Toyota Prius and came into contact with a 16-year-old juvenile on a bicycle who was also in the westbound lane of travel.

The juvenile suffered a head injury in the accident.  According to Police the juvenile was not wearing a helmet.

The accident is being investigated by Ptl. Kevin Costa. No summons have been issued, pending the investigation.