Princeton, NJ – May kicks off the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign, and while the Princeton Police Department focuses on enforcing seat belt laws, officers are also addressing a variety of crimes. Here are some highlights from the most recent police blotter:
No Free Lunch
On May 2, a diner at a Witherspoon Street restaurant reported that while she was enjoying her meal, a woman sitting next to her stole her wallet, which contained cash and several credit cards. The suspect did not order any food and left the restaurant, later using the victim’s credit cards at two local businesses, totaling $4,321.21 in charges. The investigation is ongoing.
Driving While Intoxicated
On April 27, at 4:15 a.m., a motor vehicle stop was made on Birch Avenue for improper parking and failure to keep right. The driver, Rodrigo Lopez-Santiago, 33, of Princeton, was arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI). He was processed at the Princeton Police Department (PPD) Headquarters and released with summonses for DWI, reckless driving, possession of an open alcohol container in a vehicle, failure to keep right, and prohibited parking.
Another DWI arrest occurred on April 28 at 3:58 a.m. when Marcus Crawford, 41, of Rahway, was stopped on Nassau Street for obstructing the passage of other vehicles. He was arrested for DWI, reckless driving, obstructing traffic, and failure to produce registration and proof of insurance. Crawford was processed and released.
Shoplifting Arrest
On April 29, patrol officers responded to a shoplifting report at a business on State Road. Officers identified the suspect, Casey Helms, 35, of Martinsville, who was seen stealing various items and placing them in her bags. Helms was arrested, processed at police headquarters, and transported to the Mercer County Correctional Center.
The War on Cars
On May 3, between 6:30 and 8:05 p.m., a motorist returned to her car parked off North Harrison Street and discovered the rear window was partially shattered. Although there was no entry or theft, the damage is estimated to cost between $500 and $1,000. No suspects have been identified.
These incidents reflect the ongoing efforts of Princeton’s law enforcement to maintain public safety while also tackling various types of crime within the community.
