Fire broke out at a home on the 2200 block of 49th Street Tuesday night.

PENNSAUKEN TWP. -- Four people were displaced after a fire on 49th Street Tuesday night, according to a report by 6 ABC.

Firefighters were called to the 2200 block of the street at about 11:30 p.m. and found heavy flames in the basement, as well as heavy smoke on an upper floor.

The four people inside got out safely and were getting help from the Red Cross, according to the report.

The fire took about 12 minutes to get under control, and the cause is still unclear, according to fire officials.

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

 

J&J Snack Foods Corp. is headquartered in Pennsauken and has a facility in Swedesboro, Gloucester County.

PENNSAUKEN TWP. -- A Camden County-based snack food producer cheated temporary production line workers out of wages and has been ordered to pay $2.1 million in back pay, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Workers on an assembly line in a 2014 file photo. 

National distributor J&J Snack Foods Corp., which has a facility in Swedesboro, "significantly" cheated 677 workers out of minimum wage and overtime pay.

J&J products include baked goods under the Country Home Bakers brand, Mary B's and SuperPretzel brands and frozen products under the ICEE, Luigi's, Slush Puppie, Minute Maid Juice Bars and WholeFruit labels.

"Many hourly workers live paycheck-to-paycheck, and they rely on every penny to pay the rent, feed their families, and keep the lights on. Cheating workers out of the wages they've earned hurts them, their families and entire communities," U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez said in a news release announcing the findings of two federal investigators.

"Paying workers properly isn't a nice thing to do, it's the law. We will continue to use our enforcement authority to ensure all workers receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work," Perez said.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 465 workers at J&J's Swedesboro facility provided by Voorhees-based staffing firm Sebastian and Sebastian LLC weren't adequately compensated for overtime hours after a 40-hour week, which violates federal law.

MORE: Cross-country terror trip ends in Camden County

"In response, J&J agreed to pay a total of $1,260,254 in back wages and liquidated damages to these workers," the labor department said.

The company, which has operations in Canada and Mexico as well as warehouses and other facilities across the country, must comply with contract and payroll reviews for an 18-month period to ensure compliance.

The labor department also leveled a $20,000 civil penalty for the "willful, repeat nature of the violations" found as a result of the investigation. Earlier this year, J&J and Pennpak, a staffing firm that worked with the J&J facility in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, failed to pay workers minimum wage and overtime, according to the labor department.

"In that case, J&J agreed to pay 212 temporary workers $920,000 in back wages and liquidated damages," the labor department stated.

The investigation revealed J&J jointly employed the temporary workers provided by the staffing firm.

"When a joint-employment relationship exists, we will hold those companies accountable when wage violations occur and workers are cheated," said David Weil, administrator for the wage and hour division. "At the same time, we are committed to educating employers and offering them the guidance they need to comply with the law and protect workers' rights."

The investigation was conducted by the Wage and Hour Division's southern New Jersey district office, and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, district office. The cases were negotiated by attorneys in the department's Philadelphia and New York regional solicitors' offices.

"Companies may find temporary staffing services useful in addressing their staffing needs, but their use should not come at the expense of fair and legal wages for temporary workers," said Mark Watson, administrator of the wage and hour division's northeast region.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Camden County municipalities have announced hours for trick-or-treating this Saturday, Oct. 31. Several towns also announced curfew hours.

Camden County municipalities have announced trick-or-treating hours for this Saturday, Oct. 31. Several towns also announced curfew hours.

Audubon - 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Audubon Park - 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31.

Barrington - 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Bellmawr - 1 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Berlin Borough - 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Berlin Township - 2 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31; Curfew is 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31.

Brooklawn - 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31

Camden - None announced

Cherry Hill - 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31; Curfew is 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31.

Chesilhurst - None announced

Clementon - 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31; Curfew is 8 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31.

Collingswood - 2 to 6 p.m.

Gibbsboro - 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31; Curfew is 8 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31.

Gloucester City - 4 to 7 p.m Oct. 31.

Gloucester Township - 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Haddon Heights - 3 to 5 p.m. with a one-hour dinner break, then from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. 

Haddon Township - 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31; Curfew is 10 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31.

Haddonfield - 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31.

Laurel Springs - 1:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Lindenwold - 2 to 8 p.m Oct. 31.

Magnolia - 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Mount Ephraim - 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Oaklyn - 1 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Pennsauken - 2 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Pine Hill - 2 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Runnemede - 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Somerdale - Noon to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Stratford - Trick-or-treating curfew is at 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Voorhees - 2 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Waterford - 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Winslow - 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Armhani Foggie, 17, was last seen leaving her home at about 7 p.m. Tuesday.

PINE HILL -- Police are asking for the public's help in finding a borough teenager who was reported missing Tuesday.

Armhani Foggie, 17, of Pine Hill, was reported missing Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. (Photo provided by Pine Hill Police) 

Armhani Foggie, 17, was last seen leaving her home at about 7 p.m., police said.

She has been reported missing several times in 2014 and 2015, police said. She previously has been found in Woodlyne and East Camden. She is also known to frequent the Collingswood area.

Police said she suffers from health conditions and does not have her required medications with her.

Foggie was described as 5-feet-8-inches tall, 110 pounds with medium complexion and small scars on her face, chest and arms. She was last seen wearing green and orange shorts and a pink tank top.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Pine Hill Police Detective Pierson at 856-783-1549, ext. 412, or mpierson@pinehillpd.com. Information can also be sent to confidential@pinehillpd.com.

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

The Zone 10 Haddonfield Lions Club held its 27th annual Pancake Breakfast on Oct. 17 at the First Baptist Church in Haddonfield. The breakfast has been an important part of the Haddonfield Fall Festival for many years. The Haddonfield Fall Festival showcases the town community organizations and hosts crafters and carriage rides. A special feature of the pancake breakfast was...

The Zone 10 Haddonfield Lions Club held its 27th annual Pancake Breakfast on Oct. 17 at the First Baptist Church in Haddonfield. The breakfast has been an important part of the Haddonfield Fall Festival for many years. The Haddonfield Fall Festival showcases the town community organizations and hosts crafters and carriage rides. A special feature of the pancake breakfast was the South Jersey Eye Center's Mobile Vision Clinic vehicle which was positioned on Kings Highway in front of the First Baptist Church.

A special feature of the Zone 10 Haddonfield Lions Club's pancake breakfast was the South Jersey Eye Center's Mobile Vision Clinic vehicle which was positioned in front of the First Baptist Church. Pictured, Dr. Larry Ragone, George Dieser and Carl Nieukirk.COURTESY PHOTO 

The Zone 10 Haddonfield Lions Club Pancake Breakfast is chaired by Haddonfield Mayor Jeff Kasko. More than 20 members of the Haddonfield Lions Club were there to prepare and serve breakfast. In addition, over 20 Leos from Haddonfield Memorial High School were in attendance to help in the kitchen and serve food.

The Leo Club, whose motto is "Leadership, Experience and Opportunity" is the Haddonfield Memorial High School student club who, through their activities and service projects, develop and practice leadership and organization to support the Lions Club missions of helping the sight impaired and blind and other community service activities.

The Haddonfield Lions Club's Sight Chair George Diesser, distinguished member Dr. Larry Ragone and a sight screening staff member were on station all morning in front of the Baptist Church to conduct tours, give presentations and evaluate local citizens.

The Zone 10 Haddonfield Lions Club and Mayor Jeff Kasko were very pleased with the large turnout for this year's pancake breakfast. The pancake nreakfast is only one of 15  Zone 10 Haddonfield Lions Club events that support the sight impaired and blind as well as other community programs.

 

Formerly known as the Echelon Mall, the Voorhees Township mixed-use property was sold for $13.4 million.

VOORHEES TWP. -- The Voorhees Town Center has been sold for $13.4 million by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) to an undisclosed buyer, according to reports.

The Voorhees Town Center is seen in this NJ.com file photo. (Photo credit: PREIT)file photo

According to philly.com, the deal came after an "unsolicited" offer for the facility that is anchored by two department stores, one of which is apparently closing.

Requests for comment left with PREIT officials Wednesday afternoon were not returned.

"The decision to sell this property was not an easy one. We have business and personal relationships with mall staff, tenants, Voorhees township, and other public partners which we greatly value," PREIT Chief Executive Officer Joseph F. Coradino said in a statement.

MORE: Voorhees Town Center has top N.J. mall food

A statement issued by PREIT notes that credits were awarded to the entity that purchased the mixed-use property that offers retail, dining, office space and luxury apartments. The credits cover the difference between an earlier price and what the buyer in Tuesday's transaction paid.

The Philadelphia Business Journal reported that PREIT -- which also owns the Cherry Hill Mall and the Gallery in Center City, Philadelphia -- bought the property formerly known as the Echelon Mall in 2003 for $263 million.

The Echelon Mall was built in 1970 and redeveloped in 2007. The property was previously home to an indoor amusement park. PREIT is a real estate investment trust that owns and manages retail shopping outlets around the Northeast.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Rowan Univeristy resident physicians gathered Wednesday morning and voice outrage saying the university has strip them of their dignity by refusing to settle a fair contract with the residents' union after two years.

STRATFORD -- It's been about five years since resident physicians at Rowan University's School of Osteopathic Medicine got a salary increase -- something they believe is long overdue.

Resident physicians from the school gathered outside the campus in Stratford Wednesday morning in rain to voice outrage at the university. They said the university has  them of their dignity by refusing to settle contract negotiations with their union after two years.

The 250 physicians-in-training continue to "work tirelessly, up to 80 hours a week, working under an expired contract," according to a statement issued by the bargaining committee for the residents.

The university's has offered only "hard-headed and cold-hearted demands for concessions," according to a statement.

With some dressed in white lab coats and others in green medical scrubs, residents held signs reading statements like: "Contract Now" and "Resident physician saving lives for $12.25 an hour."

MORE: Rowan uncovers breakthrough in Parkinson's disease

"To do all of this, we sacrifice our own well-being and time with our own family members," said 34-year-old Chief Surgical Resident Kay Yoon-Flannery, at a podium on campus grounds.

"We miss our children's first day of school, their birthdays, our best friend's wedding, our grandmother's funerals, and other important milestones," said Yoon-Flannery, who is in her ninth year at the RowanSOM. "We always put our patients first. And we deserve dignity and a fair contract now."

Rowan spokesman Joe Cardona wouldn't discuss specifics of the negotiations. He said the university pledged from the beginning to not talk about them publicly.

Cardona said "there has been plenty of talk" and "back and forth discussion" between the union and university.

The New Jersey Office of Employee Relations is negotiating on behalf of the university.

The Service Employees International Union New Jersey State Council -- which along with the resident physicians -- represents roughly 40,000 workers in the state.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Eliezer Medina, who admitted to burglarizing at least three stores in Paramus and Pennsauken was traced back to the crime scenes by the cell phone he carried, according to the FBI.

TRENTON--It was Eliezer Medina's cell phone that betrayed him.

When burglars broke into a Paramus store in November 2013 and stole $40,000 in cash, cell records indicated Medina's mobile phone was in the vicinity.

The phone also happened to be nearby when burglars hit a second Paramus store three weeks later and took $50,000 in cash after the closing hours.

And the FBI tracked a phone belonging to his brother when at least two men cut the alarm wires of a Pennsauken business and made off with $203,000 in cash.

On Wednesday, Medina, 37, of Lancaster, Pa., was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for his role in a string of burglaries throughout northern and southern New Jersey.

Medina, who was charged with his older brother, Jose Medina, pleaded guilty in July, admitting to burglarizing at least three stores in Paramus and Pennsauken, and stealing approximately $625,000. U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper in Trenton also ordered the restitution of the money that was taken.

RELATED: Electronic trail led feds to a $3M burglary ring

Cell phone surveillance by law enforcement agencies has been growing nationwide. All cell phones constantly search for a signal, even when no calls are being made, and continually re-scan several times a minute, always seeking the closest cell phone towers that will provide the strongest signal -- seen by the number of bars displayed by a phone. The function cannot be turned off while the phone is getting a wireless signal. The phone also has a GPS chip that is also used for tracking.

Two men, Daniel "Tokyo" Gatson and Anthony Hanks, currently on trial in U.S. District Court in Newark, face charges in an interstate burglary spree in which they allegedly stole millions of dollars of cash and jewelry and caused tens of thousands of dollars in property damage. According to court filings, investigators connected the burglaries to Gatson through cell phone records that provided a trail coinciding exactly with dozens of major home break-ins reported to police.

Gatson has argued the cell phone records constituted unlawful search and seizure, violating his constitutional rights.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the technology to track has evolved to the use of so-called "Stingrays," or "cell site simulators" or "IMSI catchers," which the group said were cell phone surveillance devices that mimic cell phone towers and send out signals to trick cell phones in the area into transmitting their locations and providing identifying information.

Even license plates are being tracked now by law enforcement agencies, said ACLU officials, through the use of automatic license plate readers on police cars, road signs and bridges, which captured the license plate number, date, time, and location of every vehicle on the road.

ACLU senior staff attorney Alexander Shalom said law enforcement agencies should be required to obtain warrants based on evidence of probable cause before gaining access to cell phone records.

"That's important," he said. "Cell phone data provides intimate detail of your life."

In New Jersey, an ACLU lawsuit led to a change in state law mandating a warrant. Federal law, however, does not necessarily require such safeguards, said Shalom.

The tracking of Eliezer Medina went beyond his cell phone. In the criminal complaint against him, the FBI said electronic records also showed his EZ-Pass toll transponder crossing the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge between Pennsylvania and New Jersey shortly before, and then after at least one of the burglaries.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, the brothers allegedly followed a pattern in each burglary, visiting the targeted stores the day before, to check out the emergency exit door, disabling electronic alarm systems, and using pry bars and vertical cuts to break into the store safes.

In some cases, magnets were used to disable alarm sensors on the emergency exit, or tape was place over surveillance cameras, the FBI said in court filings.

Charges against Medina's brother are still pending. He is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Police said Martha Ruiz, 23, emailed an administrator that a 'threat was coming" to Camden County College on Wednesday morning. She was arrested later in the day.

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP -- A 23-year-old Camden woman was arrested Wednesday after police said she sent an email threat to a Camden County College administrator. 

According to a media release, Martha Ruiz, of Cramer Avenue, used a public computer in the college's Cyber Cafe to send an email to the vice dean stating "THERE IS A THREAT COMING TO THIS CAMPUS TOMORROW AT 130 PM!" 

MORE: Gloucester Township police mourn loss of retired K9

The administrator received the email at about 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. Police quickly identified Ruiz as a suspect and went to her home in Camden, where they determined she sent the email because she was "disgruntled with the college administration." 

Police found the threat to be non-credible and charged Ruiz with creating a false public alarm in the 3rd degree. She was released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance. 

Michelle Caffrey may be reached at mcaffrey@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShellyCaffrey. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

The Weeki Wachee Mermaids will perform at Camden's Adventure Aquarium for the next two weekends. Watch video

Unlike many sea creatures, mermaids can live in both salt and fresh water.

It's because of this natural adaptation that Mermaid Kristy -- along with several of her finned friends -- was able to travel from her home in Weeki Wachee, Florida, to Camden's Adventure Aquarium to swim among the sting rays, sea turtles, and sharks who live in the Ocean Realm exhibit there.

"I love coming here and meeting new people and seeing new things," the mermaid said sitting on a special seashell throne during some "dry time" at the aquarium Wednesday. "It's amazing see the kids' faces when we're swimming and posing in the water. It's awesome to see how excited they get."

She said some kids are timid at first, but soon warm up to these mythical creatures.

"The little boys get shy, but they usually end up coming over to talk or take a picture."

In the water, Mermaid Kristy said some of the animals can be a bit frightening, but usually all the fish get along just fine.

"The sharks are a bit intimidating, but once they get used to us being there, they're cool," she said. "They come by and say 'Hi,' and it's pretty neat to say I swim with the sharks."

Mermaid Kristy -- known as Kristy Madden in the human world -- has been performing with the Weeki Wachee Mermaids for three years.

"A friend of mine worked there and said they were having try-outs," Madden said. "I didn't think I was going to get it."

In order to become a mermaid, Madden had to swim a 400-yard lap, hold her breath for 30 seconds, and perform two of the mermaid's underwater dance moves -- the "Dolphin" and the "Pinwheel."

After living the mermaid life for three years, Madden said she can hold her breath for nearly a minute-and-a-half now, even though she doesn't need to.

"We have our air tubes with us all the time," she said. "We can put it on full blast and take a deep breath and hold it much longer than just a little breath."

The Weeki Wachee Mermaids first performed at Adventure Aquarium last year.

"The first time was a big hit," said Kim Perno, guest experience manager at the aquarium. "I think it was even bigger than we had expected. The guests loved it."

During their first visit, the mermaids performed shows throughout the day.

However, this time, guests will get the full "Mermaid Experience."

"There will be one mermaid constantly swimming all day throughout the day," Perno said. "And guests can meet a mermaid at our 'dry side' experience."

Madden said while the sharks can be a bit scary, the stingrays and sea turtles are always very welcoming.

"The stingrays are my favorites," she said. "They are always very friendly. And the sea turtles are very interested in us. They're huge and you never know what they are going to do."

But of all the creatures, the kids are Madden's favorites.

"I love seeing their smiles," she said.

The mermaids can be seen in the Ocean Realm exhibit at Adventure Aquarium Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, then Nov. 5 to Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

For more information, visit www.AdventureAquarium.com and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Kelly Roncace may be reached at kroncace@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kellyroncace. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

From lectures to send-offs and taking a Camden church under its wing, the Notre Dame Club of South Jersey is busy enough without a game against Temple to worry about.

CHERRY HILL TWP. -- Football is a big deal at Notre Dame University. Saturday's game against Temple University is also big a deal to the Notre Dame Club of South Jersey -- but so is helping Camden.

Notre Dame Club of South Jersey members volunteer at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, in Camden, in this provided October 2015 photo.photo provided 

The club that boasts 1,000 members, including alumni, parents, students and friends, will head to Lincoln Financial Field to tailgate Saturday's Halloween match-up between the 6-1 Fighting Irish and the undefeated Owls, who suddenly find themselves nationally-ranked after years of lackluster seasons.

"I've watched Temple games and now that they they're winning, I've watched more and more," said Chris Baeckstrom, South Jersey club president and Cherry Hill resident whose two sons attended college at Notre Dame in Indiana. "I think it's going to be a heck of a game."

Saturday's plans include a barbecuing at a reserved spot at the Wells Fargo Center for roughly 150 people planning to tailgate the game. The group also sold 530 tickets to the game provided by both colleges.

"I don't know if there's ever been a game where (Notre Dame) came here," Baeckstrom said. "This is just tremendous. I think everyone is just so pumped up for it."

RELATED: ESPN GameDay coming to Philly for Notre Dame match

The club's South Jersey chapter stretches from the Philly suburbs into Atlantic County. Three other chapters -- north, central and the Jersey Shore -- constitute New Jersey's proud Notre Dame family.

Baeckstrom isn't an alum, but the Indiana campus was the last on a list of ones he visited with his son when figuring out where to attend college.

"We knew about the great academics and sports. I had never been to Notre Dame. I had never been a Notre Dame fan. I said to the tour guide, 'This seems too perfect. It's just a beautiful campus,'" Baeckstrom said.

MORE: Nate Smith: Don't put Notre Dame 'on a pedestal'

Baeckstrom said the work he and fellow South Jersey club members do breaks down into two main categories: get-togethers for football games and volunteer efforts at various locations, including St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Camden.

The club adopted the parish almost 10 years ago and were out there as recently as mid-October to plant trees, paint and clean. Other efforts include providing turkeys for Thanksgiving and staffing the mentoring program with visiting Notre Dame students on their eight-week summer service learning program.

The South Jersey club pays for the students to come from their main campus and live at the Camden church to become "totally immersed in the school program, the parish and community."

"These kids are coming from all over," Baeckstrom said.

During dinner at the Baeckstrom home, a visiting student who hailed from California said they specifically requested the Camden assignment.

"I want the toughest one," Baeckstrom said of the Notre Dame student's desire.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

A Camden County man was making meth Wednesday night in a hotel parking lot, police said.

WAYNE -- A Camden County man was making meth Wednesday night in a hotel parking lot, police said.

Christopher Gary Poole, 34, of Barrington. (Wayne Police) 

Wayne Police officers Joseph Rooney and Rob Fernandez saw a 2007 Chrysler Sebring in the parking lot of the Tilted Kilt and Ramada Inn on Route 46 eastbound, Capt. Laurence W. Martin said.

An interior light was on. When Rooney and Fernandez moved closer, they saw a man inside filtering liquids and pouring substances into bottles, Martin said.

As Rooney and Fernandez watched, the car started to fill with white smoke, Martin said. They pulled the man out of the vehicle.

The smoke, which the officers said smelled like ammonia, poured out of the car after him, Martin said.

The man, identified as Christopher Gary Poole, 34, of Barrington, said he was mixing ammonia nitrate, lighter fluid, lye, lithium, drain cleaner, salt and pseudoephedrine to create methamphetamine, Martin said. He also said he had syringes.

MORE: Man had meth, cocaine, MDMA, heroin, pills in his car and house, cops say

The Wayne Volunteer Fire Department, the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, the Passaic County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration clandestine lab group went to the scene to help dismantle the mobile lab and deal with the volatile chemicals involved, Martin said.

Police arrested Poole and sent to Wayne Police headquarters. He was charged with creating widespread risk of injury or damage, possession of methamphetamine, manufacturing of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He's being held on $5,000 bail.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Authorities said William Alvarez was found in the driver's seat of a car at 12:13 a.m. after ShotSpotter technology alerted police to gunshots in the area

CAMDEN -- Police are seeking information about a shooting that left a 25-year-old man dead early Thursday. 

Camden County police were alerted through its ShotSpotter system, which uses audio sensors to locate automatically report gunfire, that shots were fired near the intersection of 10th Street and Atlantic Avenue, authorities said. 

MORE: 'ShotSpotter' expansion for Camden County Police Department

Police found William Alvarez, of Camden, in the driver's seat of a car with a gunshot wound. He was brought to Cooper University Hospital and pronounced dead at 12:39 a.m.

Authorities are investigating and ask anyone with information to contact Camden County Prosecutor's Office Detective Pete Longo (856) 580-5854 or Camden County Police Detective Christian Jeffries at (856) 757-7420.

Michelle Caffrey may be reached at mcaffrey@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShellyCaffrey. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

It's been more than two weeks since Brendan Creato, 3, was found dead in a wooded area near the Cooper River off South Park Drive.

HADDON TWP. -- On the morning 3-year-old Brendan Link Creato was found dead, a township resident said he saw an older man pushing a covered stroller at 7 a.m. toward the scene where the toddler's body was discovered.

Brendan Link Creato, 3, of Haddon Township, who was found dead in a wooded area about a half-mile from his home, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015. This photo was included in a poster at a vigil for Brendan. (Tim Hawk | For NJ.com) 

During an Oct. 13 interview, the resident told NJ Advance Media that he considered the man pushing the baby carriage an odd sight, and he informed township police about it.

At the time, the man didn't provide his name, but was identified Thursday as Mark Hoover in a similar account of the baby carriage he provided to PhillyVoice.com.

Hoover told NJ Advance Media he was cutting grass for a nearby resident on Oct. 13 at around 7 a.m. when he saw the man with the carriage.

Brendan Link Creato was reported missing by his father, D.J. Creato, shortly after 6 a.m. in a 911 call. The boy's body was found approximately three hours later in a wooded area near the Cooper River.

"It's an ongoing investigation -- we have no further comment," Camden County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Andy McNeil said Thursday when asked about Hoover's account of the baby carriage.

An old stairway leads to a branch of the Cooper River, in Cooper River park, in the area where 3-year-old Brendan Link Creato was found dead, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, in Haddon Township, N.J. Authorities say the boy, who was reported missing Tuesday morning, was found dead three hours later in woods about a half-mile from his home. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) 

More than two weeks have passed since Brendan's body was found.

Since then, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office has publicly released few details surrounding the investigation and an autopsy did not reveal the cause of Brendan's death. The results of a toxicology test are still pending.

"We are awaiting the medical examiner's conclusion," McNeil said.

There were no signs of forced entry at DJ Creato's apartment and no signs of the boy having been sexual abused, the prosecutor's office has said.

RELATED: Dad of toddler found dead isn't a suspect, lawyer says

An Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request filed by NJ Advance Media with Haddon Township for police reports generated from responses to DJ Creato's residence and that of the boy's mother, Samatha Donato, failed to reveal any incidents that would appear to involve Brendan.

Haddon Township police Capt. Scott Bishop said earlier this week that records of any calls that could be related to the investigation into the toddler's death could not be released.

In response to a separate OPRA request, Camden County officials said Thursday morning that no recent records exist of 911 calls placed from the respective addresses of neither DJ Creato nor Donato.

The two shared custody of the child and both families had an amicable relationship, DJ Creato's attorney said last week.

The PhillyVoice report also recounts multiple postings on Tumblr by DJ Creato's girlfriend Julia "Julie" Spensky. In the postings, Spensky discussed hiring an attorney because she is a potential suspect in Brendan's homicide, and also disclosed she worked for Creato Windos, a company owned by DJ's father, according to PhillyVoice.

Spensky said the company had financial problems and she went unpaid for her work, PhillyVoice said.

McNeil said Thursday that investigators are aware of the Tumblr account, as well as a YouTube video posted by DJ Creato's sister.

According to PhillyVoice, the video, which has since been deleted, showed Brendan playing the role of a toddler that goes missing before its revealed that he died. The video was created as part of a college project, the report by PhillyVoice said.

"Detectives have been aware of the YouTube video and the Tumblr account," McNeil said.

A funeral for Brendan was held last Friday at Holy Saviour Church, in Westmont.

The Fortune Magazine 'Inner City 100' list was released this month.

SWISCO in Camden was one of three N.J. companies that made the 2015 list. (Courtesy SWISCO) 

NEWARK -- Three of the fastest-growing inner city businesses in the country are in New Jersey, according to a Fortune Magazine ranking released this month.

The annual 'Inner City 100' list included two Newark-based companies - Sabre88, which ranked number 16 overall, and Consultants 2 Go, which ranked 89th. SWISCO, based in Camden, just made the list at number 100.

"We are proud to be included in the Inner City 100 list, and to be a part of the continuing revitalization of Camden," said SWISCO Operating Manager Paul Pallas. The family-owned company that was founded in the 1960s distributes hard-to-find hardware replacement parts for windows, doors, and other household and commercial items. It reported $4.15 million in revenue in 2014, and a growth rate of 80 percent between 2010 and 2014, the magazine said.

ALSO: Newark-phobic no more -- Outsiders need to see city's business promise, locals say

"We hope to build on our success, and continue growing as an example of how traditional 'mom-and-pop' businesses can survive and thrive in the inner city," Pallas said in a release about the ranking.

Sabre88 - the only company from N.J. that was on last year's list - is a consulting and IT company serving mostly government offices. This year, it reported $2.54 million in revenue, and a five-year growth rate of 617 percent.

Though CEO and former Olympic fencer Robert Cottingham, Jr. did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday, he has often named his location as one of the reasons for his business's success.

"I am a Jersey guy. I was born and raised in Orange, so it was just natural for me to start my business here," Cottingham, Jr. told NJ Advance Media after his company was ranked last year.

"It's kind of a best kept secret kind of thing. I'm hoping that this (recognition) can help folks see that things like this can be done right here in Newark."

Consultants 2 Go, a marketing consultant company, reported a 97 percent growth rate and $9.95 million in revenue.

The list is compiled each year by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, a nonprofit founded by a Harvard Business School professor that researches and strategizes about inner city economies.

In order to be considered for the ranking, the magazine said businesses must be located in "core urban areas with higher unemployment and poverty rates and lower median incomes than their surrounding metropolitan statistical areas."

Topping this year's list is Baltimore-based Bithenergy, a green energy consulting firm. The business has grown nearly 3000 percent over the past five years, the magazine said.

See the full ranking here.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

The Haddonfield Citizens Group will hold a rally Thursday against a drug rehab facility proposed in the borough.

HADDONFIELD -- The contentious battle over the fate of the Bancroft School property continues Thursday as a group plans to hold a rally against the drug rehabilitation facility proposed for the site.

A drug and alcohol recovery company wants to open an addiction treatment center at what is now the Bancroft School, in Haddonfield. (Alex Young | For NJ.com) 

Plans to redevelop the land for public use and open space stalled, leading to the agreement to sell the property to Recovery Centers of America.

Details of the proposed sale have not been disclosed, but RCA plans to build an outpatient and residential drug treatment at the former Bancroft site.

The proximity of the facility to Haddonfield Memorial High School has led to public opposition to plan. The Haddonfield Citizens Group -- a non-profit organized in response to the RCA proposal -- is planning rally at 6:45 p.m., ahead of a planning board meeting.

The group doesn't think that a drug rehab facility should be built so close to a school.

The site has been the home of Bancroft -- an organization that provides to children and adults with developmental disabilities -- since 1883. They plan to move to a larger and more modern facility in Mount Laurel.

Several plans to redevelop the land for public use or for open space were unsuccessful, leading to the proposed sale to RCA.

In a statement released this spring, the Haddonfield Board of Commissioners said RCA would likely need a use variance to open their facility.

The borough planning board will hold a public hearing to re-investigate and determine whether the Bancroft property still complies with the requirements to be designated as an area in need of development.

Lindsay Vest, spokeswoman for Haddonfield Citizens Group, said they want to be a presence at any meeting involving public comment so they can educate the community.

"We're hoping for a good turnout," she said. "If we get 15 people, and they tell five people each about what they've learned, we'll consider it a success."

Vest said they are aware of the need for drug rehab facilities, but they want to make sure whatever decision is made on the Bancroft site is the best decision for borough residents.

"I recognize that we're playing the long game here," she said. "This is going to shape the community for years to come."

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Waterford police said an SUV driven by a 30-year-old man crossed into oncoming traffic, striking Jacob Voight's motorcycle. Voight was pronounced dead at the scene.

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP -- A 25-year-old Shamong Township man was killed in a motorcycle crash early Thursday on Jackson Road when an SUV veered into the oncoming lane and struck the motorcycle, police said. 

Jacob Voigt was pronounced dead at the scene of the 7:26 a.m. crash on Jackson Road near Ashland Avenue, police said.

The driver of the SUV, Lawrence Casaba, 30, of Winslow Township, was taken by helicopter to Cooper University Hospital's trauma center. A hospital spokeswoman said Thursday afternoon Casaba had been treated and released.

MORE: Witness of fatal plane crash recalls tragic scene

Voigt was driving westbound on Jackson Road when he was struck by the eastbound SUV after the vehicle crossed into the oncoming lane, police said.

Police said the crash remains under investigation. 

Michelle Caffrey may be reached at mcaffrey@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShellyCaffrey. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

 

Joseph Rutling, 24, and his brother Marcus Rutling, 33, allegedly bought weapons in South Carolina and transported them to New Jersey to sell illegally.

CAMDEN -- A city man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his alleged role in a conspiracy to sell 22 guns without a license, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Joseph Rutling, 24, previous pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to deal firearms without a license and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, the attorney's office said. The sentence was imposed Thursday in federal court in Camden.

According to documents associated with the case, Rutling and his brother Marcus "Fresh" Rutling, 33, who had addresses in Camden and South Carolina, allegedly conspired with others to illegally sell firearms without a license.

RELATED: N.J. man gets 14 years for illegal gun sales

Those weapons reportedly included handguns, shotguns and an assault rifle obtained in pawn shops, gun stores and other sources in South Carolina, later transported back up to New Jersey.

Marcus Rutling "personally sold or participated in the sale of at least seven firearms, including handguns and shotguns, to a witness cooperating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives," (ATF) according to the attorney's office.

Joseph Rutling was involved with the sales of at least 15 firearms, also to an ATF cooperating witness, authorities said. He also allegedly sold ammunition with the firearms on at least five occasions.

Joseph Rutling was also sentenced to to three years of supervised release. Marcus Rutling, who previously pleaded guilty to his charges in the gun transactions, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Oct. 8.

Winslow and Clementon police departments were also involved in the investigation.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

A jury has convicted a Cherry Hill man of vehicular homicide in the 2013 death of a Pennsville woman, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

WOODBURY -- A jury has convicted a Cherry Hill man of vehicular homicide in the death of a Pennsville woman, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Mohammad A. Khan, 24, was driving more than 100 mph on Interstate 295 south in West Deptford on the night of July 3, 2013, when he struck the rear of a vehicle in which Mary Campbell, 32, was a passenger, according to court testimony. Campbell died of a broken neck.

The jury reached its verdict Thursday morning following a one-day trial. Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson scheduled sentencing for Jan. 9.

Prior to sentencing that day, Allen-Jackson will consider a motion for a new trial based on a jury instruction issue raised by the defense, the prosecutor's office said.

Prosecutor's office trial chief Paul Colangelo presented testimony that Khan's blood-alcohol level was .081 when a sample was taken four hours after the crash. The legal limit is 0.08.

MORE: Gloucester Co. prosecutor announces minority recruitment push

A State Police officer testified that Khan told him after the crash that he does not drink and that he may have fallen asleep, the prosecutor's office said. Khan failed two field sobriety tests for balance and was charged with driving while intoxicated and death by auto.

A State Police crash reconstruction officer testified that the cause of the crash was Khan's speed and inattention to the vehicles in front of him. The speed limit in the area is 65 mph.

The jury also reviewed video of the crash from a state Department of Transportation traffic camera.

At least two others were injured in the wreck, according to previous news accounts.

Kkan, a dental school student with no criminal record, did not testify in his defense, prosecutors said. His parents were the only defense witnesses.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

 

The Glassboro High School football team entered the playoffs at 3-5 two years ago and memorably went on a run to the South Jersey Group 1 title. That was a team that had Ronnie James, Juwan Johnson and Mike Maldonado as experienced juniors, but Glassboro coach Mark Maccarone still believes the Bulldogs know the winning formula if they can do...

The Glassboro High School football team entered the playoffs at 3-5 two years ago and memorably went on a run to the South Jersey Group 1 title.
That was a team that had Ronnie James, Juwan Johnson and Mike Maldonado as experienced juniors, but Glassboro coach Mark Maccarone still believes the Bulldogs know the winning formula if they can do ...