Automatic License Plate-reading Cameras Help Washington Twp. Police Crack 3 Weekend Cases

Washington Township, N.J. — The Washington Township Police Department in Gloucester County had a busy weekend, with over 400 calls for service, 11 arrests, and three cases in which the department's automatic license plate-reading cameras (ALPR) helped officers.

ALPRs Help Officers in Three Weekend Cases

• Armed Suspect Caught After Threats

Saturday night, officers investigated a report of a suspect armed with a handgun who threatened to rob a victim. A warrant was issued for unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun by a person under 21. Sunday evening, an ALPR alert flagged the suspect's vehicle as it entered Washington Township. Officers conducted a high-risk stop and took him into custody without incident.

• Road Rage at Gunpoint

A Cumberland County man reported that while driving through Washington Township, another driver pulled alongside him and displayed a handgun before fleeing. Investigators used ALPR data to identify a suspect vehicle matching the victim's description. The investigation is ongoing.

• Missing Person Found

A Gloucester County police department asked Washington Township for help locating a missing suicidal person. An ALPR alert showed the person's vehicle had entered the township. Around 12:45 AM Saturday, an officer located the vehicle leaving Jefferson Hospital and found the missing person

Other Notable Incidents

• A woman from Cleveland, OH, was found sleeping in her car at the Turnersville Auto Mall at 1:30 AM Saturday. She told officers she had arrived by bus from Ohio and had no idea where she was. She was transported to Jefferson Hospital for a mental health evaluation.

• Detectives are investigating a reported assault involving a three-year-old child while in the care of another individual.

• A Mullica Hill woman was arrested for DWI on Greentree Road.

• A Williamstown man was arrested during a traffic stop after he provided officers with his brother's identifying information and was subsequently charged with hindering apprehension.

• A Sicklerville man was arrested for shoplifting $61.81 worth of fishing equipment at Walmart.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com