Crime

Update: A GoFundMe account has been established to raise money for the Marotana family. The donation page can be accessed here. Original Story: A 39-year-old Point Pleasant construction worker was killed Oct. 17 after he fell from the roof of the Claremont Road School. Police said that Peter Marotana was working on the roof at about 7 a.m. when he …

A 23-year-old township man was sentenced Oct. 16 to 23 years in state prison for a kidnapping and sexual assault in Highland Park. Under the sentence imposed by state Superior Court Judge Alberto Rivas, Brandon Cox of Somerset will have to serve 85 percent of his term – 9.5 years – before he is eligible for parole, according to a …

A township man remains in custody at the Somerset County Jail, Somerville, following his arrest on gun-related charges. Rashan M. McMillan, 44, of Somerset was arrested Oct. 4 after he was found by police with a loaded revolver holding several spent shell casings stuffed in the waistband of his pants, according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s …

Franklin police deployed to several sites in the township on Oct. 4, but not for emergencies. The officers were participating in the national “Coffee With A Cop” program, in which police officers were stationed at various businesses in towns to meet and talk with residents. In Franklin, officers were sent to the Dunkin’ Donuts on Hamilton Street, Starbucks on Cedar …

Pat Colligan knew something was up when he saw a security guard and police officer in a traffic vest running full-speed through the crowded casino at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Spa in Las Vegas late in the evening of Oct. 1. Colligan, a Franklin Township Police detective and president of the New Jersey Policeman’s Benevolent Association, had just finished …

Township police will be at six locations Oct. 4, participating in National Coffee With a Cop Day. Officers will be at: Dunkin Donuts at 920 Hamilton St. and Starbucks at 120 Cedar Grove Lane from 7-9 a.m. Hamilton Street BBQ at 841 Hamilton St. and Kettleman’s Bagels at 456 Elizabeth Ave. from noon to 2 p.m. Moe’s Southwest Grill at …

A push on the wrong button on a power chair ended up with a 71-year-old man needing a rescue from the Delaware & Raritan Canal Sept. 12. Police said that the Scotch Plains man, who was not identified, was riding a “Jazzy” scooter along the canal tow path with another person walking alongside him, when they decided to turn around. …

The Franklin Township Police sergeant charging the department with discrimination was denied further promotions not because of his race, but because he did not meet the department’s conduct or performance expectations. That assertion was among the defenses presented by the township in response to the civil lawsuit filed by Franklin Township Police Department Sgt. Dennis Hopson. Hopson, a North Brunswick …

A township man faces 30 years to life in prison following his conviction on charges related to the Valentine’s Day 2015 killing of a Perth Amboy man. Jahmmel Cephas, 35, of Franklin Park, was found guilty of aggravated manslaughter in the shooting death of Richard Pryce, 31, outside a Perth Amboy bar, according to a Sept. 6 press release from …

Aug. 29 Aazize Ait-Ouaddi of Paterson was cited for careless driving after his car struck one driven on Easton Avenue by Sally Macaluso of Easton, Pa., while he was changing lanes. Kristine Zdrodowski of Monroe was cited for careless driving after her car rear-ended one driven on Bunker Hill Road by Debbie Horinko of Flagtown, as Horinko’s car was turning …