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Clinton Township [learn more] [website] |
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1370 Route 31 North Annandale, NJ 08801 |
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| The Township of Clinton lies a little to the northeast of the center of Hunterdon County. It was formed from Lebanon Township in 1841. A portion of the Township was separated off in 1871 to form High Bridge. At the same time a portion of Tewksbury Township was annexed to Clinton Township. Rich limestone deposits assured good farmland throughout the Township. Clinton Township is a growing, rural-suburban community of approximately 4,200 homes and is located in Hunterdon County, 40 miles due west of Newark International Airport. Interstate highway 78 bisects the township and links New York City to Pennsylvania and points west. The township is being transformed from a farming community to a bedroom community for corporate professionals. Farms still share the countryside with lovely neighborhoods and corporate complexes. Community leaders have set a goal to plan for growth that balances preservation of rural character with commercial development. | |
Fugitive Arrest
On Friday, July 31, at approximately 6:10 pm, Sergeant Thomas DeRosa was patrolling the Fountain Motel parking lot when he encountered an intoxicated man. Sgt. DeRosa obtained the man’s identification and then left the area. A short time later, however, Sgt. DeRosa learned of an NCIC entry for the man, Samuel Popper, age 44, as being a missing person out of Orange County, Florida. Sgt. DeRosa returned to the motel and again located Mr. Popper, who was otherwise unharmed. Because Mr. Popper is an adult, Florida authorities were merely provided with his updated address information. No warrant existed for his arrest.
However, while detaining/interviewing Mr. Popper, Sgt. DeRosa learned that he was in the motel room with John Toth, age 54, with a last known address of Hunterdon Hills, Flemington. Upon entering Mr. Toth’s information into NCIC, Sgt. DeRosa learned that he was wanted out of Hunterdon County for failing to appear at sentencing for a prior charge of Throwing Bodily Fluid at DOC Employees. The warrant was confirmed as active and Mr. Toth was arrested and transported to the Hunterdon County Jail.
Driving While Intoxicated/Illegal Alien
On Sunday, August 2, at approximately 1:05 am, Patrolman Joseph SanGiovanni stopped a vehicle operated by Vladimir Sterbanovsky, age 31, of Manville, on Center Street for erratic driving. During the stop, Ptl. SanGiovanni detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on Mr. Sterbanovsky’s breath and soon determined that he was intoxicated. Mr. Sterbanovsky was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he provided samples of his breath for chemical testing to determine the content of alcohol in his blood. Ptl. SanGiovanni issued Mr. Stervanovsky motor vehicle summonses for Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Suspended, Failure To Maintain Lane, and Failure To Stop at Stop Sign. Ptl. SanGiovanni also learned that Mr. Stervanovsky was in the country illegally and therefore contacted the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency, which filed a deportation warrant against him. Mr. Stervanovsky was therefore taken to the Hunterdon County Jail without bail.
Criminal Mischief
On Friday, July 31, at approximately 3:15 am, unknown person(s) removed a mailbox from its post on Lilac Drive and threw it at a residence, also on Lilac Drive, approximately one-half mile away. As a result, a screen was ripped and two (2) windows to the residence were broken. Sergeant Marc Strauss is investigating.
Motor Vehicle Crash with Injuries
On Friday, July 31, at approximately 7:40 pm, a 2004 Chrysler Minivan operated by Walter Stobb, age 44, of Macungie, PA was traveling on Allerton Road when Mr. Stobb proceeded across Route 31 on a red light. Mr. Stobb’s vehicle was then struck by a 2005 Toyota sedan operated by Brittany Gurerri, age 20, of Franklin Township (Hunterdon County), which was traveling south through the intersection on a green light. The airbags in Ms. Gerreri’s vehicle deployed and both she and Mr. Stobb were transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for injuries. Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene. Patrolman Joseph SanGiovanni issued Mr. Stobb a motor vehicle summons for Failure To Observe Traffic Signal
Handgun Arrest
On Saturday, August 1, at approximately 12:25 am, Officer Jennifer Petruzziello stopped a vehicle on Route 31 North near Halstead Street for failing to maintain lane. After Ptl. Petruzziello activated her emergency lights, the vehicle continued northbound toward Halstead Street where it then made an improper turn into the old Shop Rite parking lot before pulling into a parking space. Ptl. Petruzziello obtained the driver’s credentials and returned to her patrol vehicle to check on the validity of the vehicle’s registration as well as the driving privileges of the driver, Terrell Nathaniel James Phillips, age 19, of Harrisburg, PA.
Sergeant Thomas DeRosa soon arrived on scene and, after checking in with Ptl. Petruzziello, approached the stopped vehicle to stand-by with the occupants. Upon arrival at the rear, driver’s side window, however, Sgt. DeRosa observed that the driver’s-side backseat passenger, a sixteen (16) year-old Harrisburg boy, was clutching two (2) .22 caliber bullets in his hand. The occupants were then removed from the vehicle at gunpoint and handcuffed. A search of the vehicle produced a .22 caliber Jennings semi-automatic handgun underneath of the driver’s seat. The handgun did not have a magazine and an additional bullet was found in the juvenile’s pants pocket.
The juvenile was arrested and will be issued a Juvenile Complaint for Unlawful Possession of a Handgun. He was later released to the custody of a responsible adult.
Mr. Phillips was issued motor vehicle summonses for Failure to Maintain Lane, Improper Turning At Intersection, Failure To Wear Seatbelt, and Improper Safety Glass. Passenger Gerald Edgar Orris III, age 19, also of Harrisburg, was issued a motor vehicle summons for Failure To Wear Seatbelt.
The filing of criminal charges is merely one step in the process of determining a person’s guilt. All persons mentioned in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
