Altercation on N. Washington St.
HAMMONTON—Police were called in reference to a fight on the prime block of North Washington Street at 10:18 a.m. on April 24, Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said.
Friel said Officer Harry Valentin responded and observed an individual who displayed signs of physical injury, Friel said.
“The victim advised that he was involved in a verbal argument with another individual at which point the other individual escalated it into a physical altercation, Friel said.
The accused, George Santiago, 34, of Hammonton, was placed under arrest, charged with simple assault and released pending a court appearance in Hammonton Joint Municipal Court, Friel said.
Friel said Valentin was the investigating and arresting officer.
In other police news, a motor vehicle stop at 8:04 a.m. on April 23 became a warrant arrest, Friel said.
Officer Matthew Heiser stopped a vehicle on South Egg Harbor and Moss Mill Roads for using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, Friel said.
The driver, Alexander Byrd, 31, of Bridgeton, was found to be suspended and having an outstanding warrant from Upper Deerfield Twp. in the amount of $5,007, Friel said.
Friel said Byrd was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters for processing and was released on his own recognizance pending a new court date for Upper Deerfield Twp. He was issued the following summonses from Hammonton: driving while suspended and failure to install an Interlock device or driving a vehicle without an Interlock, Friel said.
Friel said Heiser was the investigating and arresting officer.
In an unrelated police matter, at 2 p.m. on April 22, police received a call from a resident on the 600 block of 11th Street in reference to an attempt of a burglary, Friel said.
“The witness stated that a male subject in an orange sweatshirt made entry into a structure through a side door,” Friel said.
The subject fled on foot and police found him hiding in the bushes in the 200 block of Chew Road, Friel said. The subject was identified as Alex Torres, 23, of Hammonton, Friel said.
Torres was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters for processing and charged with the following criminal charges: burglary and criminal trespass, Friel said.
He was transported to the Atlantic County Jail awaiting a court appearance, Friel said.
Friel said Heiser was the arresting and charging officer.
This report is comprised of arrests and investigations made by the men and women of local enforcement. All suspects and arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.