Crime News

A Texas man on Nov. 24 took an early morning dip in the pond in front of the DoubleTree Hotel on Atrium Drive. The problem was that he was in his car when he did it. Police said that Wayne Schertz, 54, of Carlton, Texas, was driving his rented Cadillac down Atrium Drive around 2 a.m. when he lost control …

The owner of a Franklin “cash for gold” store was indicted on several charges related to last summer’s Operation “Somer Gold” sting by local, county and state law enforcement. David H. Rubin, 55, of Highland Park, owner of Wireless Source/Cash For Gold on Hamilton Street, was indicted on charges of 3rd Degree fencing, 3rd Degree receiving stolen property, two counts …

A 26-year-old Somerset man who police said tried to kill a township police officer during a struggle last summer has been indicted on several charges, including attempted murder. An indictment charging Archie L. Ashley with five counts of 1st Degree attempted murder, 1st Degree disarming a police officer, 2nd Degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, 3rd Degree …

A Somerset jewelry store pleaded guilty to 10 violations of state cash-for-gold consumer protection laws and must pay more than $5,000 in fines and court costs. Venus Jewelers, Rutgers Plaza, was one of five Somerset County jewelry stores caught earlier this year in a joint sting operation run by the state Attorney General’s Office, the state Division of Consumer Affairs …

Law enforcement agencies throughout the county are stepping their enforcement of laws banning using cell phones while driving. Traffic patrols will be deployed on a random basis to find drivers talking and texting while driving, according to a press release from Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, North Plainfield Chief of Police and President of the Somerset County Association of Chiefs of …

A Boulder Lane home was damaged the afternoon of Nov. 13 when a clothes dryer caught fire, police said. Police responded to the home at about 4:45 p.m. and were told there was a fire in the house’s utility room. Police officer Leonard Bird said he and Dan Krushinski, chief of the East Franklin Fire Department, doused the fire with …

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 …