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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. | |
Fraud
A sixty-seven (67) year-old Clinton Township woman reported that in early July she inquired about a “Work From Home” job she located in the “Help Wanted” section of the Hunterdon County Democrat newspaper. She applied for the job and was accepted. The employer, “Tricarefabrics,” sent her a check for $2,800.00 and advised her to deposit the money into her account. The victim was then advised to deduct a percentage and send the remainder of the balance to Linda Stafford, #309 Alemander Avenue, Debary, Florida, via Western Union. The victim deposited the check into her account and then sent $2,413.00 to Linda Stafford. Several days later, the victim learned that the check was fraudulent. Western Union is in the process of producing a photograph of the female who picked the money order up in Florida.
Disorderly Conduct
On Monday, July 27, at approximately 7:05 pm, Patrolman Matthew Murphy was dispatched to the Grayrock Plaza for an intoxicated male acting disorderly. Upon arrival, Ptl. Murphy observed Jason Martin, age 34, of High Bridge, with a basket of flowers, beads, teddy bears, and a small cup. Customers at the local businesses said “thank you” to Ptl. Murphy as he approached Mr. Martin and local business owners advised that Mr. Martin had been alarming customers and merchants. Ptl. Murphy detected a “very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” coming from Mr. Martin. Based upon the totality of the circumstances, Ptl. Murphy decided to charge Mr. Martin with Disorderly Conduct. In light of recent contacts, Mr. Martin was arrested and removed from the area.
Upon arrival at police headquarters, bail was set at $100.00. Mr. Martin soon complained of difficulty breathing and chest pain. When Mr. Martin learned that he would be unable to post bail, and therefore would be taken to the Hunterdon County Jail, Mr. Martin alleged illness and collapsed on the ground of the holding cell. The Clinton Rescue Squad responded and was unable to determine the source of Mr. Martin’s illness. Mr. Martin then advised that he was suicidal and began punching himself in the right side of the face and scratching his nails down his forehead to his chin, drawing blood from his lower lip. Officers placed Mr. Martin in handcuffs again in order to prevent his self-abusive behavior. As a result of his self-abusive behavior and suicidal ideations, Mr. Martin was transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for evaluation. Once there, he alleged various forms of police brutality at the hands of Ptl. Murphy. He was ultimately turned over to two officers from the Hunterdon County Jail who responded to the hospital to take custody of him
Found Property
On Tuesday, July 28, at approximately 9:20 am, Patrolman Umair Latif responded to Beaver Avenue for a bicycle that was found across from the fire house. There were no markings on the bicycle that would allow Ptl. Latif to identify its owner. It is valued at approximately $300.00. Ptl. Latif removed the bicycle to police headquarters. Anyone who believes they may be the owner of the bicycle can contact Ptl. Latif at 908-735-7245.
Burglary and Theft
On Tuesday, July 28, at approximately 4:40 pm, a resident of Route 31 South arrived home from work to discover his front door ajar. Further inspection revealed that several windows of the residence had been smashed and that the house had been ransacked. At this time, it appears as though some jewelry was stolen, the value of which is yet to be determined. The Clinton Township Police Department Detective Bureau is investigating.
Motor Vehicle Crash with Injuries
On Wednesday, July 29, at approximately 9:20 am, a 2005 Ford F-350 operated by Francesco Ruffa, age 47, of Flemington, was traveling south on Route 639 near Haytown Road when a 2006 Audi A4 operated by Rommany Chanthavong, age 37, of Clinton Township, turned left in front of it in an attempt to enter Haytown Road. The vehicles struck head-on and the impact forced both off of the road and into stationary objects, such as fences and utility poles. The airbags in both vehicles deployed and both were towed from the scene. Mr. Ruffa was transported to the Somerset Medical Center for a head injury and Ms. Chanthavong was transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for minor injuries. Patrolman Drew MacQueen issued Ms. Chanthavong a motor vehicle summons for Failure To Yield Right of Way at Intersection.
Warrant Arrests
On Wednesday, July 29, at approximately 11:20 am, Patrolman Umair Latif stopped a vehicle on Center Street for having a cracked windshield. During the stop, Ptl. Latif observed that passenger Chad Harris, age 32, of Carteret, was not wearing his seatbelt. Ptl. Latif soon learned that Mr. Harris had a $1,000.00 criminal warrant for his arrest out of Hillside and a $500.00 motor vehicle warrant for his arrest out of Middletown. Mr. Harris was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was issued a motor vehicle summons for Failure To Wear Seatbelt. When neither jurisdiction was able to respond to take custody of Mr. Harris, he was released.
On Thursday, July 30, Patrolmen Jeffery Glennon and Lawrence Anthes responded to the Hudson County Jail where they arrested Joshua Kuzma, age unknown, of Metuchen, for $1,500.00 in motor vehicle warrants originating out of Clinton Township. When he was unable to post the necessary bail, Mr. Kuzma was transported to the Hunterdon County Jail.
On Thursday, July 30, at approximately 6:45 pm, Officer Jennifer Petruzziello stopped a vehicle operated by Jeremy Logel, age 36, of Harmony Township, on Route 22 near Route 78. During the stop, Ptl. Petruzziello learned that Mr. Logel had a $285.00 warrant for his arrest out of Bridgewater Township. Ptl. Petruzziello issued Mr. Logel motor vehicle summonses for No Mud Flaps on Truck, Failure To Display Inspection Sticker, and Maintenance of Lamps. When he was unable to post the necessary bail, Mr. Logel was arrested and turned over directly to Bridgewater Township officers.
Marijuana Charge
On Wednesday, July 29, at approximately 6:50 pm, Officer Jennifer Petruzziello stopped a vehicle operated by Sean King, age 25, of Hampton, on Route 31 North near Allerton Road because a registration inquiry revealed that the plate on the vehicle expired in December. During the stop, Ptl. Petruzziello detected the odor of marijuana in the and soon discovered some of it in a cigarette pack. Mr. King was charged with Possession of Under 50 Grams of Marijuana, Operating a Motor Vehicle While In Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Driving An Expired Vehicle. He was later released ROR.
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.
