SEPTEMBER 7, 2007

CRIME TASK FORCE ARRESTS 11 IN HAMILTON AND TRENTON

The Mercer County Regional Violent Crime Interdiction Task Force spread its wings on Thursday and swept through Trenton and Hamilton, resulting in the arrest of 11 individuals.  

Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. praised law enforcement’s team approach and stated that unifying resources has really paid off.  “The expansion of the task force into Lawrence and Ewing in recent weeks and into Hamilton on Thursday is what fighting crime is all about,” Bocchini said.  “Every corner of Mercer County is affected by the acts of criminals and gang members, and our approach needs to be mobile.  We’ve taken the show on the road and made the task force truly regional.” 

The six arrested in Hamilton and their charges are:  

Richard Bush, 38, of Chinnick Avenue, possession of drug paraphernalia;  Eric Labonak, 23, of Saybrook Avenue, outstanding warrant;  Michael Orellana, 18, of Connecticut Avenue, possession of marijuana;  Patricia Vigliano, 41, of Bradford Avenue, possession of drug paraphernalia; a 17-year old Trenton male, possession of marijuana; and a 15-year-old Hamilton female, possession of marijuana. 

In addition to the arrests in Hamilton, three motor vehicle summonses were issued and five grams of marijuana were seized. 

The five arrested in Trenton and their charges are: 

Shawntee Allen, 23, of Sweets Avenue, outstanding warrant;  Carl Hill, 31, of Roebling Avenue, possession of marijuana; Tyrone McCoy, 49, of Carroll Street, outstanding warrants;  Bryon Thompson, 29, of Washington Street, possession of drug paraphernalia; and a juvenile Trenton male, possession of marijuana.

In addition to the arrests in Trenton, four motor vehicle summonses were issued and one motor vehicle was towed.  During an investigation on S. Eastfield Avenue, 174 packets of heroin were recovered. 

Officers from Trenton, Hamilton, Lawrence and East Windsor police departments, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey Department of Human Services Police and the New Jersey State Parole Board comprised the task force on Thursday. 

Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.