Category: MERCER COUNTY.NJ

Mercer County Internet Crimes Against Children Unit Arrests West Deptford Township Man

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Todd Merinuk, 27, West Deptford, NJ

MERCER COUNTY, N.J. (PBN) Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri announced Tuesday that an investigation into online child exploitation has resulted in the arrest of a West Deptford Township man.

Todd Merinuk, 27, West Deptford, NJ, is charged with two counts of second-degree attempted sexual assault, three counts of third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second-degree attempted luring. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Merinuk pending trial.

Approximately three weeks ago, detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit investigating individuals trying to exploit children online connected with a subject via an anonymous social media platform. The individual, later identified as Merunik, began chatting with a detective who was working in an undercover capacity, posing as a 14-year-old female. The chat included multiple sexually explicit messages, a photo sent by Merinuk of an adult male penis, and statements by Merinuk that he wanted to meet in person to engage in various sexual acts.
On March 16, 2023, Merinuk sent a ride share vehicle to an address in Mercer County to pick up the “14-year-old female” with whom he believed he was conversing in order to transport her to his location in Gloucester County. Believing the victim had arrived to his

On March 16, 2023, Merinuk sent a ride share vehicle to an address in Mercer County to pick up the “14-year-old female” with whom he believed he was conversing in order to transport her to his location in Gloucester County. Believing the victim had arrived to his
STEPHANIE A. KATZ First Assistant Prosecutor
BRYAN COTTRELL Deputy Chief of County Detectives

location via ride share, Merinuk appeared and was taken into custody without incident by members of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.
Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Prosecutor Onofri urged anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to please contact his Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at (609) 989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at (888) 648-6007.

29 Year Old Lawrence Twp Man Killed In Atlantic City

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The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit and Atlantic City Police Department Violent Crimes Unit are investigating the fatal shooting of a man late Thursday evening, on March 16.

At approximately 10:40 p.m., Atlantic City police responded to reports of a shooting on the unit block of South Texas Avenue. Officers found a victim identified as Jamar Square, 29, of Lawrence Township, suffering from gunshot wounds. Square was taken by medical personnel to AtlantiCare Medical Center, City Division where he was subsequently pronounced dead, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Ewing Police Investigating Berwyn Shooting

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EWING TOWNSHIP, N.J. (PBN) Officials are investigating a shooting that left one person seriously injured on Berwyn Ave near Parkway Avenue just before midnight.

The victim was transported to the capital health trauma center where they were rushed into surgery according to family.

One Injured After Police Involved Crash On Greenwood Ave

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TRENTON, N.J. (PBN) A driver suffered non life threatening injuries after a collision with a responding unmarked Police vehicle at the intersection of Greenwood Ave and South Clinton Ave. The crash happened just after 9:30 Am Wednesday, Trenton emergency medical services transported the driver of the vehicle to Capital Health medical center. Bystanders “started that the police struck the vehicle hard causing it to fishtail”.

Mercer County Swat Teams are Hours into Negotiations After Man Shoots Two

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UPDATE: The swat team made entry into to the apartment and the suspect was not inside the apartment just after 2:00Am

TRENTON, N.J. (PBN) Trenton Police and Mercer County Sheriff’s swat teams have been on Eisenhower Ave between Coolidge Ave after a man shot a man and a female from his second floor apartment. A negotiator has been trying to get the suspect to surrender by shouting over a loudspeaker from a heavily armored vehicle. Swat teams also deployed loud blasts at the apartment but still have gotten no response. The scene is still active as of 2:00 Am. Residents have been evacuated from the area.

Trenton Police investigating multiple shootings

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TRENTON, N.J. (PBN) Trenton Police were dispatched to the area of Passaic street and Calhoun for a reported person shot Friday night just before 10:30 Pm. When Trenton ems arrived the victim had been transported by vehicle to Capital health trauma center. Officials are also investigating a shooting on North Stockton Between Hanover street.

The Trenton police shooting response unit is investigating both shootings.

Algernon Ward seeks recount In North Ward Run off Election

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TRENTON, N.J. (PBN) Algernon Ward, who tied with Jennifer Williams in the December voting has now requested a recount after Williams won by one vote. Ward posted to his Facebook page Sunday night.

It ain’t over until it’s over: – Rocount. Because of a one vote difference in result of the North Ward Runoff Election, I have filed for a recount and recheck of those results. Given the many irregularities in this election, I must follow the process to the end to be sure that all votes have been fairly counted. When the entire procedure is finished, I will respect the will of the people.

WIND CHILL ADVISORY & WIND ADVISORY

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Mercer County , N.J. (PBN) Very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 15 below zero.

  • WHERE…Portions of central, northern and southern Delaware, northeast Maryland, central, northern, northwest and southern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania.
  • From 6 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Saturday.
  • Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.
  • WIND ADVISORY: Portions of central, northern and southern Delaware, northeast Maryland, central, northern, northwest and southern New Jersey and east central, northeast and southeast Pennsylvania.
  • WHEN…Until 7 PM EST this evening.
  • IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects. &&

Mercer County Prosecutor Warns of Telephone Scam

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Mercer County , N.J. (PBN) Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported Wednesday his Cyber Crimes Unit is investigating recent telephone scams where callers spoof the non-emergency telephone
numbers for various police departments within Mercer County in an attempt to scam
residents. The scammers falsely claim the resident has a warrant for their arrest. As a
reminder, law enforcement will never ask for payment of any type over the phone nor will they
ask for personal identifying information that could be used for fraudulent purposes.

Law enforcement and government agencies will also never ask you to pay by unusual methods,
such as gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
Scammers research potential victims on the internet and social media. Then they call and
deceive their victims into thinking the callers are law enforcement officers, prosecutors or
police employees.

Scammers may spoof a law enforcement telephone number, falsely
showing on the victim’s caller ID. They threaten victims with arrest for outstanding warrants
or other legal issues.
Should you receive a call from a police department within Mercer County or the Prosecutor’s
Office, please confirm who you are speaking with. If you believe you received a scam
telephone call, hang up and call the number back. If the call is legitimate, you’ll be connected
with a police dispatcher or receptionist who can verify the caller’s identity. Report any scam
calls to your local law enforcement agency. Please share this message with your family and
friends, especially the elderly, to help prevent phone scams.