04/14/2026 Police Blotter

Date: 04/14/2026
Prepared by: Lt. Joseph Maccaquano
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Item 1
Date: 03/26/2026 Time: 09:03 AM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Police Impersonation
Investigating Officer: Ryan Finnegan
Details: On 3/26/26, Officer Finnegan responded to a business in the Pennington area for a report of a possible police impersonation. The victim reported that a white SUV displaying a single blue emergency light, operated by a middle-aged male, initiated a motor vehicle stop while she was traveling on Rt 31. The male did not identify himself, was not wearing a police uniform, and did not appear to have a body-worn camera. The victim was unable to determine if the vehicle had any official markings. The male issued a warning and left the area in an unknown direction. No vehicle registration was obtained. Follow-up investigation revealed that no traffic stops were conducted in the area by local agencies, including NJSP, at the time of the incident. The investigation remains ongoing pending additional video footage.
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Item 2
Date: 03/26/2026 Time: 12:30 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Shoplifting
Accused name: Regina Phillips
Accused address: Hale St, Pennington, NJ
Investigating Officer: Tylor Blake
Charges: Shoplifting
Details: On 03/26/2026, Officer Blake and Sgt. Liotta responded to ShopRite on a report of shoplifting. Loss Prevention reported a female, later identified as Phillips, had been detained for shoplifting. Officers reviewed surveillance footage, which showed the female placing merchandise into a bag and exiting the store without paying. The total value of the stolen items was $199.36. The female was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing. She was charged with Shoplifting and released on a summons. The matter will be heard in Hopewell Township Municipal Court.
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Item 3
Date: 03/29/2026 Time: 10:30 AM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Trespass/Ordinance Violation
Investigating Officer: Arthur Juba
Details: On 03/29/2026, Officer Juba responded to 800 Denow Rd for a report of unauthorized flyers posted throughout the parking lot area. Employees from nearby businesses reported discovering the flyers, photographed them, and subsequently removed them. Investigation revealed the flyers contained political messages and had been posted without permission by an unknown individual(s). The incident remains under investigation.
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Item 4
Date: 03/30/2026 Time: 07:51 AM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Burglary/ Criminal Mischief
Investigating Officer: Arthur Juba
Details: On 03/30/2026, Officer Juba and Sgt Panzano were conducted a property check of the former Har Sinai Hebrew Congregation building on Denow Rd. While conducting this check, they observed that the property appeared to have been burglarized and damaged. Signs of forced entry were observed to a glass door. Upon entering the building, the officers found that it was abandoned and in a deteriorated condition. The property was cleared with negative results for any suspects on scene. Due to the condition of the structure, it was undetermined if any items were removed. Photographs were taken and a representative for the property owner was notified. The incident remains under investigation.
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Item 5
Date: 03/30/2026 Time: 12:12 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Package Theft
Investigating Officer: James Stanton
Details: On 4/1/2026, Officer Stanton responded to HTPD for a walk-in report of theft. The victim reported a package valued at $138.71 was stolen after being delivered to her apartment building. The empty box was later recovered in a dumpster located at the complex. Possible surveillance footage is pending review. The incident remains under investigation.
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Item 6
Date: 03/31/2026 Time: 02:30 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: MV Burglary/ Theft/ Criminal Mischief
Investigating Officer: Blake Demeter
Details: On 04/01/2026, Officer Demeter responded to the Forge Circle Apartment Complex for a report of multiple vehicle burglaries. Three vehicles were found to have been entered overnight. All of the entered vehicles were reported to have been
unlocked. The victims reported various items stolen including tools, clothing, fishing gear, and personal items, with a total estimated loss of $1,880. Officer Demeter canvassed the area and it was revealed there was no surveillance cameras in the area. The incident remains under investigation.
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Item 7
Date: 04/01/2026 Time: 04:35 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: DUI
Accused name: Frank A. Mazzella
Accused address: N Hope Chapel Rd, Jackson, NJ
Investigating Officer: Michael Enriquez
Charges: DUI / Contempt of a Court Order
Details: On 04/01/2026, Officers Enriquez and Grey responded to Sinclair Gas Station on a report of a possibly intoxicated male. Employees reported the individual appeared intoxicated and was intending on picking up his vehicle, which had been there for repairs. Upon arrival, Officer Grey observed the subject enter and start the vehicle, at which time a motor vehicle stop was initiated. During the investigation, the officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver, identified as Mazzella. Field sobriety tests were administered and it was determined that Mazzella was impaired. He was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI. Mazella was transported to HTPD for processing and subsequently to a local hospital for medical evaluation. A warrant for a blood sample was obtained; however, Mazella refused to comply despite the signed warrant. He was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving, Refusal to Inspect a Motor Vehicle, and Contempt of a Court Order. The matter will be heard in Hopewell Township Municipal Court.

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Item 8
Date: 04/01/2026 Time: 12:12 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Warrant Arrest
Accused name: Willie L. Kid
Accused address: Kingsbury Sq, Trenton, NJ
Investigating Officer: Blake Demeter
Charges: Contempt of Court
Details: On 04/01/2026, Officer Demeter, while on routine patrol, observed a vehicle traveling on Pennington Road. A check of the vehicle’s registration revealed that the registered owner’s driving privileges were suspended. A motor vehicle stop was conducted, and the driver and passenger were identified. The passenger was confirmed to be the registered owner. Further investigation revealed the driver, identified as Kid, had an active warrant for his arrest out of the City of Trenton. Kid was placed under arrest for the outstanding warrant and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was later released and provided with a future court date. The matter will be heard in Trenton Municipal Court.

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Item 9
Date: 04/02/2026 Time: 04:29 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Shoplifting
Investigating Officer: Michael Crincoli
Details: On 04/02/2026, Officer Crincoli responded to ShopRite on a report of shoplifting. The store manager reported that a review of surveillance footage had revealed two females exiting the store with merchandise, including cuts of meat and laundry detergent, without rendering payment. Further review of the footage showed the
suspects leaving the area in a silver Dodge Journey. Loss Prevention provided a license plate number to assist in identifying the individuals involved. The surveillance footage was also submitted to the New Jersey State Police for possible facial recognition. The total value of the stolen merchandise was estimated at $735.47. The incident remains under investigation.

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Item 10
Date: 04/03/2026 Time: 05:37 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Borough
Type of Incident: DUI
Accused name: Gabrielle C. Leavitt-Shaffer
Accused address: Philip St, Philadelphia, PA
Investigating Officer: Arthur Juba
Charges: DUI
Details: On 04/03/2026, Officer Juba responded to the parking lot of 52 E. Broad St in Hopewell Borough for a report of a possibly intoxicated driver. The caller provided a description of the vehicle and operator. Upon arrival, Officer Juba located the vehicle and made contact with a male, identified as Gabrielle C. Leavitt-Shaffer, who was seated on the trunk of the vehicle. During the interaction, the officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed signs of intoxication. Leavitt-Shaffer refused to submit to field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence based on the officer’s observations. A search of his person and vehicle revealed several empty 50ml liquor bottles and an open package of THC gummies. He was transported to police headquarters for processing, where he refused to submit to chemical breath testing. Leavitt-Shaffer was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Refusal to Submit to Chemical Breath Testing, Reckless Driving, and Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol or Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle. The matter is being heard in Hopewell Borough Municipal Court.

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Item 11
Date: 04/03/2026 Time: 12:44 AM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Fraud/ Theft
Investigating Officer: Brandon Kuzma
Details: On 04/03/26, Officer Kuzma responded to a report of suspected fraud. The victim reported receiving a text message from an unknown number advising that a bill in the amount of $149.00 had been paid, along with instructions to call a listed number to dispute the charge. The victim contacted the number and spoke with an unidentified individual, who instructed him to share his phone screen and access his bank account. When the victim stated he did not use his phone for banking, he was directed to open Cash App and borrow $190.00 to purchase Bitcoin. Following the transaction, the victim discovered an additional unauthorized charge of $183.48 on his account. Cash App was notified of the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Item 12
Date: 04/04/2026 Time: 08:17 AM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Fraud/ Impersonating a police officer
Investigating Officer: Brandon Kuzma
Details: On 04/04/2026, Officer Kuzma responded to a residence on Michael Way for a report of fraud. The victim reported receiving a phone call from an individual claiming to be affiliated with Citi Bank regarding a fraudulent account and a charge of $1,800.61 in his name. The victim stated he was later transferred to another individual posing as a law enforcement officer with the NYPD. During the interaction, the victim reported observing the individual in what appeared to be a police uniform via video chat. The victim was subsequently asked to provide personal information. It was later confirmed by Citi Bank that the incident was a scam. The victim was advised to monitor his accounts. The incident remains under investigation.

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Item 13
Date: 04/07/2026 Time: 12:37 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Warrant Arrest
Accused name: Brandon K. Horn
Accused address: Maple Ave, Trenton, NJ
Investigating Officer: James Stanton
Charges: Contempt of Court
Details: On 04/07/ 2026, Officer Stanton was conducting a traffic enforcement detail on Scotch Road, when he observed a northbound vehicle change lanes without signaling. Upon observing the violation, he conducted a check of the vehicle’s registration, which revealed that the registered owner, identified as Brandon Horn, had an active warrant for his arrest out of the City of Trenton. A motor vehicle stop was conducted by Officer Stanton, and Horn was confirmed to be the driver. He was placed under arrest on the outstanding warrant and transported to HTPD for processing. Horn was later released and provided with a future court date. The matter will be heard in Trenton Municipal Court.

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Item 14
Date: 04/09/2026 Time: 1:10 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Borough
Type of Incident: Burglary
Investigating Officer: Arthur Juba
Details: On 04/09/2026, Officer Juba responded to a residence on West Prospect St for a report of burglary. The victims reported that they had been away on vacation from 03/29/2026 to 04/04/2026 and, upon their return, discovered several pieces of jewelry missing. The total estimated value of the items was $1,165.00. No signs of forced entry
were observed at the residence. A canvass of neighboring residences was conducted for possible surveillance footage. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Item 15
Date: 04/09/2026 Time: 07:33 PM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Warrant Arrest
Accused name: Knovell D. Harrington
Accused address: Denow Rd, Pennington, NJ
Investigating Officer: Marissa McCallum
Charges: Contempt of Court
Details: On 04/09/ 2026, Officers McCallum, Finnegan, and Brigham responded to a residence on Denow Rd to attempt to serve a warrant. The subject, identified as Knovell Harrington, had an outstanding warrant out of Ewing Township. Upon arrival at the residence, the officers made contact with Harrington. He was then advised of the warrant and placed under arrest. He was then transported back to HTPD, where he was processed. After processing, he was then transported to Ewing Township Police Department, where custody was turned over to ETPD officers. The matter will be heard in Mercer County Superior Court.

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Item 16
Date: 04/09/2026 Time: 00:52 AM Jurisdiction – Hopewell Township
Type of Incident: Warrant Arrest
Accused name: Daren V. Covington
Accused address: Green Grove Rd, Neptune, NJ
Investigating Officer: Tylor Blake
Charges: Contempt of Court
Details: On 04/09/2026, Officer Blake was on a traffic enforcement detail on Rt 579 when he observed a tractor trailer traveling southbound. The road has a posted 4 ton weight limit. Officer Blake then initiated a motor vehicle stop for the violation. Further investigation revealed that the driver, identified Daren V. Covington, had active warrants for his arrest out of Neptune City and Red Bank. Covington was placed under arrest for the outstanding warrants and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was later released and provided with future court dates for both Red Bank and Neptune City. The matters will be heard in their respective Municipal Courts.