02/03/2025 Police Blotter
Date: 2/3/2025
Prepared by: Lt. Joseph Maccaquano
Item 1
Date: 01/27/2025 Time: 2:30 PM Jurisdiction- Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Criminal Mischief
Investigating Officer: Marissa McCallum
Details: On January 27, 2025 Officer McCallum responded to a Shaftsbury Ave address for a reported criminal mischief. The victim reported that the rear windshield of their vehicle was smashed. The victim further stated that nothing was taken from the vehicle. The vehicle, 2016 Ford Fiesta, was parked in the roadway and the incident was believed to have occurred between 5:00 PM 1/26 and 2:30 PM 1/27. The total damage was over $500.
Item 2
Date: 01/29/2025 Time: 7:13 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Fraud / Identity Theft
Investigating: Ryan Finnegan
Details: On January 29, 2025 Officer Finnegan met with the victim of fraud in the HTPD lobby. The victim reported that he received notification through the postal service that his mail was placed on hold, however the victim did not request this. The victim then began to receive debit and credit cards in the mail. The victim found 11 bank accounts were opened in his name as well. The credit cards that were opened were actively being used for various purchases as well. The victim provided documentation and statements to the officer for follow-up investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
Item 3
Date: 01/20/2025 Time: 12:49 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Burglary / Criminal Mischief (Vehicle)
Investigating: Mark Panzano
Details: On January 20, 2025 Sgt Panzano responded to the Mercer Meadows Parking area on Blackwell Road for a reported vehicle burglary. The victim reported that the rear window of her vehicle was smashed and a fanny pack was stolen from inside the car. Various items were inside the bag, totaling a $496 loss. The incident occurred between 12:00-12:49 PM on January 20th. The incident is under investigation.
Item 4
Date: 01/21/2025 Time: 7:49 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Fraud
Investigating Officer: Ryan Finnegan
Details: On January 21, 2025 Officer Finnegan responded to a Washington Avenue address for a reported fraud. The victim stated that she received an email from a known sender regarding a wire transfer for $50,000. The victim stated that the sender was known and transfers like this were normal business. The wire transfer was then made, but a few days later she received notification that the transfer did not go through and the funds were returned to her account. When the victim reached out to the sender she believed the transfer was being sent to, they responded stating they never requested a $50,000 wire transfer and advised that it was fraudulent. Fortunately, no loss of funds was incurred.
Item 5
Date: 01/22/2025 Time: 7:03 AM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Burglary / Vehicle Theft
Investigating Officer: Marissa McCallum
Details: On January 22, 2025 Officer McCallum responded to a Manley Road address for a reported stolen vehicle. The victim reported that their 2017 Mercedes Benz was stolen from inside the garage overnight. The incident took place between 8:25PM (1/21) and 7:00AM (1/22). There was no sign of forced entry anywhere on the residence, and no evidence showing that the home was entered to gain access to the garage itself. The keys to the vehicle were believed to be inside the car at that time of the burglary. The investigation is ongoing.
Item 6
Date: 1/22/2025 Time: 6:05 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Fraud / Theft
Investigating Officer: Paul Alvaro
Details: On January 22. 2025 Officer Alvaro met with the victim of Fraud and Theft in the HTPD lobby. The victim reported receiving a call from a person who identified themselves as the Mercer County Sheriffs Office. The unidentified party directed the victim to deposit $13,000 into a Bitcoin account, which the victim complied. Once the money was deposited, the victim was told there were two more “federal charges’ and directed him to deposit another $16,000. Once the victim disputed and questioned them, he was put on hold and the call was ultimately disconnected. Further information was provided to Officer Alvaro for follow-up investigation. Residents are reminded that the local police departments or sheriff’s offices will never solicit for money or take any payments over the phone, or through any cryptocurrency / gift cards.
Item 7
Date: 1/26/2025 Time: 2:24 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Burglary / Criminal Mischief
Investigating Officer: Mark Panzano
Details: On January 26, 2025 Sgt Panzano responded to Mercer Meadows Parking area for a reported burglary into a vehicle. The victim reported that her car window was smashed and her bag was stolen from inside the vehicle. The incident occurred between 1:15-2:24 PM on this date. The total value of the stolen items was estimated as $346.00 plus the damage to the window. The investigation is ongoing.
Item 8
Date: 2/3/2025 Time: 2:01 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Burglary / Theft
Investigating Officer: Ryan Finnegan
Details: On February 3, 2025 Officer Finnegan responded to an Aaron Truehart Way address for a reported burglary from a residence under construction. The incident occurred between 4:00PM on 1/31 and 8:00 AM on 2/3. A GE washing machine and dryer were stolen from the residence. The home is not occupied as it is still under construction. The investigation is ongoing.