Police blotter January 4th-January 6th, 2022 from the Facebook Page

Police blotter January 4th-January 6th:On January 4th, 2022 at 2:46 p.m., Raritan patrol officers were dispatched to the Liquor Saver on West Somerset Street for a drug overdose. On scene, officers administered Naloxone (Narcan) to a 62 year old male from Raritan. The male was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

On January 4th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., a 76 year old Raritan man reported he was the victim of a theft. The victim reported he received an email from someone claiming to be a friend who was sick and needed money. The victim proceeded to purchase three $100 Google gift cards for the actor and gave him the serial numbers to the cards via email. We remind you to be aware of fraudulent emails and phone calls. 

On January 5th at 2:54 p.m., Raritan patrol officers were dispatched to the PNC Bank on West Somerset Street for an unresponsive male. On scene, officers determined a 35 year old Somerville man was suffering from a drug overdose and officers administered Naloxone (Narcan). The man was transported to an area hospital for treatment. 

On January 5th, 2022, Kevon Fletcher age 30 of Paterson, Lamont Ellis age 21 of Newark, Nekeda Gilchrist age 39 of Newark and Danielle Mitchell age 35 of Newark, were all charged with Shoplifting. The charges stem from an investigation started on November 3rd, 2021 when they stole $4,200 worth of items from the Burlington Coat Factory on Route 28. Detective Benjamin Griffin investigated the incident. On January 5th, 2022 at 10:16 p.m., Raritan patrol officers were dispatched to Raritan’s Own Laundry on West Somerset Street for a lewdness report. The owner of the business reported that a male was in the business performing a lewd act while other customers were in the business. On scene, officers identified the male as Odell Warren, 22, of Raritan. Lewdness charges are pending from the incident. 

On January 6th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., Raritan officers were dispatched to the Quick Chek on West Somerset Street for a trespassing report. On scene, officers were directed to Jarius Gillespe, 27, of Somerville, who was acting disorderly and had been previously trespassed from the business. Gillespe was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. At headquarters, Gillespe caused damage to several items and he urinated on the floor. Gillespe was charged with Defiant Trespass and Resisting Arrest and lodged in the Somerset County Jail. 

The Somerville Police Department responded to Raritan to assist with the incident while our officers were responding to other calls for service. 

On January 6th, 2022 at 7:50 p.m., Raritan patrol officers, along with members of Raritan Borough Fire Department and Somerville Fire Department, responded to Raritan’s Own Laundry on West Somerset Street for a fire.

On scene, Raritan officers were able to contain the fire utilizing their fire extinguishers, and responding firefighters extinguished any remaining pockets of fire. The Raritan Borough Fire Official stated the fire started in a dryer due to excessive lint build-up or a mechanical malfunction. The fire was contained to a small area in the business.