Police Investigate Shooting After Trenton Man Killed by Gunshot

HAMILTON TWP – A Trenton man died Thursday evening, the victim of a shooting that occurred in a rural section of Hamilton Township, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.

In response to a 9-1-1 call, Township of Hamilton Police responded on Thursday, December 24, 2015, to Ocean Heights Avenue near the intersection of Salma Terrace, for a report of gunshots. Upon arrival, police found Marquis T. Smith, 25, of Brunswick Avenue, Trenton, the victim of a shooting. Emergency responders transported Smith to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center—Mainland Division, where he was later pronounced dead.

Driver Charged with DWI in Hamilton Township Crash

On June 30, 2015 at 4:47 p.m. the Township of Hamilton Police Department responded to CR 559 in the area of mile marker 19 for a motor vehicle crash. 

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2015 Ford Escort, driven by Joanne Bisciotti, age 58 of Williamstown NJ, was traveling northbound at a high rate of speed and did not properly negotiate a curve in the roadway. 

The vehicle crossed into the lane of oncoming traffic, struck the guiderail, and then flipped multiple times. Henry Weigel, age 51 of Petersburg NJ, the driver of a 2005 Jeep Liberty which was traveling south on CR 559, swerved to avoid striking Bisciotti’s vehicle, causing him to go off of the roadway and strike several trees. 

Large Crowd Involved in Fight Inside Hamilton Mall; Several Charged

On April 11, 2015 at approximately 6:30pm the Township of Hamilton Police Department received a call from Hamilton Mall Security that they were dealing with a large fight involving approximately 30 people. While Police were responding they were updated that gun shots were fired. 

A description of the shooter was given out to responding units. Responding officers observed a large juvenile male fitting the description running across the Black Horse Pike. He was detained between McDonalds and Toys R Us.

Attempted Car Stop Leads to Chase; Several Drivers Arrested and Large Quantity of Drugs Found

On March 2, 2015 at approximately 11:02 PM Sergeant Matt Landicini and Patrolman Pat Aiken were traveling north on St. Louis Avenue when a Silver Buick ran the stop sign at Arago Street and St. Louis Avenue almost colliding with their patrol car.  

The Officers attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop at which point the vehicle failed to pull over and continued north on St. Louis Avenue for several blocks before coming to a stop at Campe Street.  

As officers approached the vehicle they observed the driver, later identified as Harold Miller, 33-year-old male from Atlantic City quickly open his door, throw his feet out the door, pull an item from his waistband and attempt to flee on foot.  

Hamilton Township Man Arrested with Loaded Handgun and Hollow Point Bullets

On February 7, 2015 at 2:27pm, the Township of Hamilton Police responded to Cologne Gardens Apartments for a report of a man who pulled a knife on another person during a dispute.  

Responding officers located a man matching the description of the accused walking on Cologne Avenue near Cologne Gardens.  The accused, Darrell Spencer, age 34, of Mays Landing, discarded a backpack before running across Rt. 322 as officers approached.  

He was taken into custody and the backpack was found to contain a Ruger revolver loaded with hollow point bullets, along with personal property bearing his name.  

Juvenile Pedestrian Transported to Hospital After Being Hit by Car on Black Horse Pike

On October 24,2014 at approximately 10:21 p.m., the Hamilton Township Police Department responded to the Black Horse Pike (Rt. 40/322) in the area of milepost 52.5 for a pedestrian motor vehicle crash. 

The preliminary investigation indicates that Janyth C. Schaaf, 81 year old female from Somers Point, was operating her red Buick Lacrosse westbound on the Black Horse Pike in the area of the Hamilton Commons Shopping Center and Wawa.

Fatal Accident on Black Horse Pike in Hamilton Township

On October 16, 2014 at approximately 1:14 PM the Township of Hamilton Police Department responded to Route 322, the Black Horse Pike, in the area of milepost 42 for a motor vehicle crash.

Preliminary investigation determined a 1995 Toyota Camry was traveling westbound on Route 322 and for undetermined reasons lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned and crashed into a tree causing severe damage to the vehicle and trapping the driver.

Multiple Car Crash Leaves Several Teens Injured Including One in Critical Condition

On 8/30/14 at 8:42am, Township of Hamilton Police responded to Rt. 40 at mile post 43.7 for a serious motor vehicle crash involving three vehicles.

Investigation revealed a 2008 Chevy Silverado driven by Nicholas Gareffi, age 39, of Vineland, was traveling eastbound on Rt. 40 when it crossed the center line into oncoming traffic. The Chevy struck a westbound 2007 Mitsubishi box truck driven by Darrel Jacobs, age 48, of Vineland. The Chevy then struck a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, occupied by five people, which was traveling westbound behind the box truck, causing it to spin off the roadway into the front yard of a nearby residence.

Serious Accident on Route 40 Overturns Vehicle; Drivers Sent to Area Hospitals

On August 10, 2014 at approximately 3:20 PM, the Township of Hamilton Police Department responded to Route 40 in the area of Pittsburg Avenue for a serious motor vehicle crash involving two vehicles. 

Preliminary investigation determined that a 2010 Scion XD driven by Liliana Jamieson-Finanger, 79 of Buena, was traveling East on Rt. 40. A Hyundai Accent driven by Barbara Wayda, 67 of Egg Harbor Twp., made a u-turn in front of Finanger’s vehicle causing the two vehicles to collide. 

Driver of Tractor Truck Dies in Crash on the Black Horse Pike

On July 30, 2014 at 7:32 am the Township of Hamilton Police Department responded to Route 322 between Weymouth Rd and Malaga Rd for a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival the initial responding officers located an overturned truck.

Investigation revealed a 1998 Volvo tractor truck owned by Palmisano Delivery Service Inc. of Egg Harbor Township, NJ was traveling westbound on Route 322. The truck crossed over the eastbound lanes and traveled up an embankment on the shoulder of the road. The truck then struck several trees and overturned on the eastbound shoulder.

Police Search for Suspect Wanted for Assault by Auto in Police Involved Motor Vehicle Crash

David McAvaddy

The Township of Hamilton Police Department is attempting to locate David McAvaddy, age 41, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ. David is wanted for Assault by Auto, Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving.

David was involved in a motor vehicle crash on 4/25/2014 at 0018 hours on Route 40 at milepost 41.8. David struck Officer Longo’s patrol vehicle while he was on routine patrol causing serious bodily injury to Officer Longo. 

Police Seek Information on Bank Robbery in Hamilton Township

On June 7, 2014 at approximately 2:25 pm, the Township of Hamilton Police Department responded to the Ocean City Home Bank in the Shore Health Park on Rt. 40 in Mays Landing for a report of a bank robbery. 

The suspect was armed and brandished a handgun at bank tellers while demanding money. Nobody was injured as a result of the armed robbery. The suspect left the bank with an undetermined amount of cash. 

Police Arrest Two Suspects at Wawa on Route 40 for Attempted Burglary

On May 20, 2014 at approximately 7 pm a concerned citizen called the Township of Hamilton Police in regards to a possible burglary in progress. The caller was able to provide a detailed description of the two subjects and a location where the subjects had walked to. 

Ofc. Perna arrived near the Route 40 and CR 606 WAWA and one subject, later identifed as a 16 year old juvenile male of Mays Landing, fled on foot into the woods. Ofc. Perna gave chase and tackled the subject in the woods. Ofc. Clayton arrived and assisted in controlling the subject and arresting him. 

Routine Traffic Stop Leads to Conviction of Drug and Weapons Charges for Mays Landing Man

MAYS LANDING – A Mays Landing man was convicted of heroin possession with intent to distribute and weapons charges as a result of a routine motor vehicle stop by a Hamilton Township patrol officer in 2013, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain stated.

On Jan. 15, 2013, Hamilton Township Police Officer Jeremy Hartman conducted a motor vehicle stop of a suspected drunk driver near the intersection of Route 40 and New York Avenue, Mays Landing.

Galloway Fire Department Assists Hamilton Township in House Fire in Fairways Development

Photo Credit: Hamilton Township Police

On April 29, 2014 at 2:25pm hours, the Township of Hamilton Police Department and Cologne Fire Department responded to Pebble Beach Drive in the Fairways Development for a structure fire.

Upon arrival two homes were found fully engulfed in flames and surrounding homes sustained minor damage. The fire was extinguished by responding firefighters and no injuries were reported. Family members affected from the fire were being assisted by Red Cross, Salvation Army and Atlantic County Emergency Management.

On-Duty Hamilton Township Police Officer Involved in Early Morning Motor Vehicle Crash

Photo Credit: Hamilton Township PD

On Friday April 25, 2014 at approximately 12:18 am, the Township of Hamilton Police Department responded to Route 40 in the Mizpah section for a serious motor vehicle crash involving two motor vehicles. One of the vehicles involved a Township of Hamilton Police Officer on patrol. 

Investigation revealed that Officer James Longo was conducting traffic enforcement on State Highway 40 in the area of milepost 42. 

Driver in Early Morning Crash Charged with DWI and Assault by Auto

On April 13, 2014 at approximately 6:15 a.m., the Township of Hamilton Police Department responded to Route 50 in the area of mile post 21.5 for a single car motor vehicle crash. 

Investigation revealed that a 2012 Honda Civic driven by 20 year old Anasha Grady of Vineland, was traveling South bound on Route 50 when it left the roadway and struck a utility pole. 

A passenger sustained serious leg injuries and was transported to Atlanticare Regional Medical Center City Division by members of the Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad.

Driver Charged with Careless Driving after Tractor Trailer Overturns on Black Horse Pike

Courtesy: Hamilton Police

On April 8, 2014 at 1244 hours, Township of Hamilton Police responded to the Black Horse Pike and Leipzig Ave for a report of an overturned dump truck.

The investigation revealed a 1995 Mac Dump Truck driven by Robert Oglesby Jr., 27 of EHT, was traveling west on the Black Horse Pike at the Leipzig Ave intersection. The traffic signal was changing to red and Oglesby was unable to stop the fully loaded dump truck prior to entering the intersection. 

Pedestrian Seriously Injured After Being Struck by Vehicle on Route 40

Credit: NBC40.net

Hamilton Township Police are investigating a serious Motor Vehicle crash which occurred on March 27, 2014 at 8:50 am.

A Pedestrian identified as Iyana Davis of Mays Landing (age 39) was on the shoulder of Route 40 at approximately milepost 44.5 waiting to cross the roadway when  she was struck by a westbound vehicle.  

Two Law Suits Dismissed Against Township of Hamilton Police

The following lawsuits by the Law Offices of Conrad J. Benedetto against the Township of Hamilton Police Department have been dismissed:

Jason D. Dare and the Estate of Nicholas J. Dare

Chief of Police Stacy Tappeiner reports the following:

On February 18, 2014, a lawsuit filed by the law offices of Conrad J. Benedetto on behalf of the Estate of Nicholas J. Dare, Township of Hamilton Police Officer, was dismissed by Superior Court Judge James Savio.