Crime News

The owner of Our Neighborhood Store on Hamilton Street was arrested Nov. 8 on charges that he defrauded the federal Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program. Kelly Evans, 43, of South Brunswick, was charged with 3rd Degree Theft by Deception and 4th Degree Tampering with records, according to a release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. According to the release, Evans’ alleged …

A Somerset woman’s appeal of her conviction for a DWI-related death in 2007 was rejected Nov. 12 by a three-member state Appellate Court panel. In its decision, the panel rejected arguments made by Kimberly Green that the trial court judge erred in not letting her present a defense expert, in allowing into evidence a recording made of her in the …

A 17-year veteran of the township Police Department became the force’s newest Sergeant Nov. 12. Sean Hebbon, who had been a detective assigned to the Juvenile Bureau, received his oath from Township Clerk Ann McCarthy. Hebbon’s wife, Kisha, held the Bible for him. Before the ceremony, Hebbon said he was excited about his new position, even though it means working …

A rash of eight car burglaries between Nov. 8 and Nov. 11 has prompted the Franklin Township Chief of Police to remind residents to lock their cars. The burglaries, which occurred on Winston and Fisher drives, Lindsey Court and Gregory and Crabapple lanes and Route 27, were committed on vehicles that were left unlocked, police said. In every case, purses …

About $7,800 in items and auto parts were reported stolen Nov. 6 from their Elizabeth Avenue storage site. Police said the items belonged to Capitol Landscaping, which was storing items in the rear yard of DeSantis Construction. Taken were three truck batteries from pickup trucks, each of which was valued at $300, police said. Also stolen was a demolition saw …

The annual Halloween curfew is in effect for the township. That means that children under the age of 18 years cannot be out in pubic between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The curfew went into effect on Oct. 18. Parents of minors who break curfew are also liable under the township ordinance.

Two Minetta Drive women were arrested Oct. 25 on drug related charges after police found more than $17,000 worth of marijuana in the basement of their home. Taken into custody, police said, were Donna Walters, 44, and Sheena Brown,  23. Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime Task Force detectives and township police executed a search warrant at the house at …

A Somerset man remains in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, on a money laundering charge in connection with a Pennsylvania robbery. Adrian Herrera, 24, was arrested at about 11 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Bridgewater-Somerset Hotel, Davidson Avenue, by State Police detectives. Herrera is allegedly one of a gang of four men – and the second arrested …

A 30-year-old Somerset man was among 14 arrested over the last month as part of a joint state and federal child pornography operation. Huahao “Howard” Chang was arrested Sept. 30 as part of the operation by the state Attorney General’s Office and the federal ICE Homeland Security Investigations. Chang was charged with 3rd-Degree possession of child pornography, 2nd Degree distribution …

One person was injured Oct. 27 in an early morning fire that displaced two families. Police said the fire at the Matilda Avenue two-family home was reported at about 3:25 a.m. When police arrived, they saw heavy smoke coming from the house and determined that all the residents and pets were out of the building. Police said a 57-year-old man, …