September 2023 New Brunswick Crime Log

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—City police investigated reports of at least 43 serious violent crimes in the month of September 2023, including five stabbings and seven armed robberies.

At least two shootings are under investigation, including one where a barber shop window was shattered by gunfire, and another where police from two different departments shot down a machete-wielding man.

The vast majority of the crimes have not been solved, with only ten arrests confirmed in connection with the 43 incidents, which reportedly involved more than 52 suspects.

Of the 46 victims referenced by police, at least sixteen were hospitalized, and three more were treated at the crime scenes by emergency medical personnel.

“Cutting instruments” and “blunt objects” were the most common weapons categories, with at least eight incidents each. At least seven more of the incidents involved firearms, including the police shooting, and one incident involved an unknown weapon.

Most of the serious violent crimes occurred in either the Fourth or Fifth Wards, with seventeen reported in the Fourth Ward and another thirteen in the Fifth Ward.

Two additional items appear in the log because they were the topic of press releases from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO).

Most of the incident investigations were handled by New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD), while one was investigated by the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD).

Our information is based on their responses to our requests, as well as other publicly available resources, such as the NBPD’s archive of motor vehicle crash reports.

The NBPD posts limited information about some crimes they investigate to an online crime map, while the RUPD provides a log of their incidents. The MCPO posts their press releases on the county website.

New Brunswick Today assembled our own log by making requests under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) to obtain more information about the most serious incidents.

September 1, 2023

1:15AM: Armed robbery at Somerset Street and Prospect Street
While at the intersection of Somerset Street and Prospect Street, a 35-year-old city man was approached by two unknown suspects who displayed a cutting instrument while removing his personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

2:10PM: Stabbing/slashing and police shooting in area of 606 Somerset Street
Police shot a man nearly the line that divides New Brunswick and Somerset County, with NBPD officers joining the Franklin Township Police Department (FTPD) officers in responding to an “assault in progress” allegedly perpetrated by 32-year-old David Simms, Jr. The victim was hospitalized and a standoff with Simms ensued, with Simms lunging at a police officer while lifting a machete. Three officers, including NBPD’s Raymond Hansen and Marvin Shaw and FTPD Detective Ordel Taylor, shot at Simms, who was injured by the gunshots and hospitalized. The MCPO issued a press release about the incident at approximately 6:37PM. No police were injured, although a NBPD vehicle driven by Officer Jason Lyons crashed into three vehicles on the way to the scene. Simms faces two sets of charges, one for his alleged attack on the victim, and the second for an attempted attack on police. He is charged with two counts each of attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of weapons.

September 2, 2023

6:43PM: Armed robbery at the intersection of Jersey Avenue and Hale Street
A 24-year-old city man was approached by the suspect who struck him with a blunt object while removing his personal property. The victim refused medical attention and the suspect remains at large.

11:02PM: Aggravated assault in front of 146 Suydam Street
While crossing the street, a 28-year-old city man was struck by a motorcycle/scooter. The suspect, operating the scooter, then struck the victim in the head with a bottle before taking the man’s wallet. The suspect fled the scene on foot towards Throop Avenue, leaving his ride behind. The cycle had no license plate and was unregistered with no previous owner, according to the crash report. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.

September 3, 2023

12:27AM: Domestic violence aggravated assault at 3XX Sandford Street
During a verbal argument, Iris Yamiletth Gomez-Jimenez allegedly struck a 43-year-old city man multiple times with a blunt object. The victim refused medical attention. NBPD officers R. Martinez and Torres-Olivos were involved in the investigation that led to Gomez-Jimenez’s arrest on Sandford Street at approximately 2:22AM. Gomez-Jimenez is charged with aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of weapons.

September 4, 2023

10:58AM: Attempted sexual assault in area of Dennis Street
A 26-year-old woman from the Fords section of Woodridge was lost and needed directions. An unknown suspect offered to walk the victim to her destination. The suspect took the victim to area of Dennis Street, where he began to strangle her and attempted to sexually assault her and fled the area. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.

September 5, 2023

4:00PM: Robbery in front of Placita Mexican Restaurant (114 French Street)
In front of 114 French Street, a 30-year-old Woodbridge man was approached by two unknown suspects who physically removed his personal property. The suspects remain at large.

September 6, 2023

12:51AM: Robbery in area of Cibao Grocery (177 Throop Avenue)
An unknown suspect approached a 35-year-old Somerville man and used physical force to remove his personal property. The victim refused medical attention and the suspect remains at large.

10:45AM: Armed Robbery in front of Hungarian Heritage Center (300 Somerset Street)
The unknown suspect threatened a 41-year-old man with a firearm while removing his personal property. On 9/19/23, a 38-year-old person reported being with the 41-year-old man and was also robbed. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

6:59PM: Robbery in area of Somerset and Oak Street
Two juveniles were walking on Somerset Street when the suspects used physical force to remove their personal property. Both victims refused medical attention and the suspects remain at large.

September 7, 2023

Time unknown: Report of violent threat on school district’s social media page
NBPD Officer Jose C. Gomez identified a juvenile as the alleged perpetrator of a violent threat after receiving a report on September 7. The report detailed anti-Semitic threats made towards a school administrator on the New Brunswick Public Schools’ Instagram page. On September 8, a 16-year-old boy was taken into custody and charged with acts of juvenile delinquency for offenses which, if committed by an adult, would constitute bias intimidation, false public alarm, and terroristic threats after an investigation conducted by the NBPD. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office announced the charges in a press release issued three days later, on September 11.

8:16AM: Aggravated assault at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (1 RWJ Plaza)
A 54-year-old South River woman was admitted to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital the night before for an injury she sustained. The victim reported to police that she was in the hospital because a hospital employee struck her with a blunt object in the morning.

September 9, 2023

3:00PM: Robbery in area of Remsen Avenue and Talmadge Street
Two unknown suspects approached a 39-year-old city man and used physical force to remove his personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspects remain at large.

10:00PM: Stabbing/slashing in area of Handy Street and Joyce Kilmer
Two unknown suspects struck a 38-year-old city man with a cutting instrument while removing his personal property. The victim was hospitalized and the suspects remain at large.

September 11, 2023

12:18AM: Domestic violence aggravated assault at New Gibbons (91 Gibbons Circle)
Rutgers University Police responded to an “assault in progress” call at the New Gibbons residence hall on the Cook/Douglass campus of the university. At 1:39AM, 18-year-old Rutgers student Jiaming Wan was arrested on scene by RUPD Officer Jacob Lugo, with assistance from Officers Thomas Brennan, John Stoya and Stephon Treadwell. Wan is charged with domestic violence aggravated assault, simple assault, and harassment.

12:49AM: Aggravated assault inside 309 Somerset Street
During a verbal dispute inside 309 Somerset Street, an unknown suspect struck a 37-year-old Somerset man with a closed fist. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.

5:01PM: Shooting in area of Remsen Avenue and Hale Street
NBPD officers investigated a report of shots fired in the area of Remsen Avenue and Hale Street. Responding officers supposedly canvassed the area but they claim that no victims or witnesses were located. Property damage was found to the business at 143 Remsen Avenue. The New Brunswick City Government issued a social media post about the incident almost 24 hours later.

September 12, 2023

12:14AM: Domestic violence aggravated assault in area of 1XX Remsen Avenue
During a dispute, the suspect struck her with a closed fist several times and then began to strangle a 33-year-old city woman. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.

September 14, 2023

1:27AM: Armed robbery in area of Prospect Street and Somerset Street
While walking on Prospect Street and Somerset Street, two unknown suspects threatened a 19-year-old city man with cutting instruments while removing his personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspects remain at large.

September 15, 2023

2:41AM: Aggravated assault in area of Cancun Bar (120 French Street)
During a verbal dispute, the suspect threw a blunt object at a 34-year-old man from the Iselin section of Woodbridge. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

September 16, 2023

10:00PM: Aggravated assault in front of 306 Seaman Street
During a verbal argument in front of 306 Seaman Street, the suspect stuck a blunt object in a 27-year-old Somerset man’s ribcage, which the man believed to be a firearm. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

10:36PM: Stabbing in front of 306 Seaman Street
The suspect struck a 48-year-old city man with a cutting instrument in front of 306 Seaman Street. The victim was hospitalized and detectives were able to identify and charge two suspects involved in this incident. NBPD Detective Alex Flores and Officers Vazquez and Hagerty were involved in the investigation that led to the arrest of one suspect, 41-year-old Somerset resident Amada Noyola-Habana. The arrest was made at 6:54AM on September 21 at 10 Hawthorne Drive in Somerset. Noyola-Habana is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of weapons. On September 22, Jackson Township police arrested Miguel Lopez-Torres and transferred him to NBPD custody at approximately 10:20pm inside NBPD headquarters. Lopez-Torres is charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

September 17, 2023

12:08AM: Stabbing outside of Cancun Bar (120 French Street)
During a verbal dispute outside of 120 French Street, an unknown suspect struck a 30-year-old city man with a cutting instrument. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.

2:20AM: Armed robbery in front of New Brunswick Health Sciences Technology High School (165 Bayard Street)
While in front of 165 Bayard Street, a 35-year-old city man was approached by two unknown suspects who threatened him with a cutting instrument while removing his personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

1:21AM: Aggravated assault outside of 22 Richardson Street
Outside of 22 Richardson Street, a fight began between multiple people where several victims were physically assaulted. “Some of the victims” were hospitalized, according to police, and the suspect or suspects remain at large.

September 18, 2023

7:02PM: Aggravated assault in area of 55 Railroad Avenue
While walking on Railroad Avenue, the suspect struck a 40-year-old city man with a blunt object while attempting to remove his personal property. Shortly after, NBPD Officers Lenin Fierro and Stewart Way were involved in the investigation that led to arrest of Martinez Santiago on scene shortly after the incident. The victim was treated by emergency medical services, and Martinez Santiago is charged with aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, unlawful possession of a weapon, robbery, and hindering apprehension.

September 19, 2023

6:30PM: Robbery at 7-Eleven (358 George Street)
The victim, a 58-year-old employee of 7-11, said that he was physically assaulted while preventing the suspect from stealing. The victim refused medical attention, and NBPD Officers Chatterjee and Maimone were involved in the investigation that led to arrest of 39-year-old Perth Amboy resident Thomas Harris on scene at approximately 6:45PM. Harris is charged with robbery.

9:14PM: Domestic violence aggravated assault at XX Chester Circle
During a dispute, the suspect threatened a 36-year-old city woman while strangling her. The victim was treated by emergency medical services. NBPD Officers Garcia and Fierro were involved in the investigation that led to arrest of 40-year-old Edison resident Hakeem A. Adewale at 6:48PM the following day at NBPD headquarters. Adewale is charged with terroristic threats, harassment, and domestic violence aggravated assault.

11:40PM: Robbery at 7-Eleven (358 George Street)
The victim, a 30-year-old employee of 7-11, reported that he was physically assaulted while attempting to prevent the suspect from stealing from the store. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

September 21, 2023

3:16AM: Armed robbery in area of 115 Throop Avenue
While coming home, a 44-year-old city man observed the suspect exit his roommate’s vehicle. The suspect pointed a firearm at the victim while removing his personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

September 22, 2023

1:53AM: Armed robbery in area of Casa Taberna Bar & Liquor (14 Jersey Avenue)
An unknown suspect pointed a firearm at a 17-year-old boy from Perth Amboy while removing his personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

September 23, 2023

2:02AM: Robbery in front of La Famosa Bar & Liquor (117 Remsen Avenue)
A 43-year-old North Brunswick man was walking in front of 117 Remsen Avenue. Three unknown suspects assaulted him while removing his personal property. The victim was hospitalized and the suspects remain at large.

7:51AM: Robbery in front of Golden Rail Pub (66 Easton Avenue)
While in front of 66 Easton Avenue, several unknown suspects used physical force while removing a 22-year-old man’s personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

September 24, 2023

8:38PM: Attempted carjacking in area of 52 High Street
Two unknown suspects entered a 27-year-old Baltimore man’s vehicle in an attempt to steal it. He was struck with a closed fist while attempting to prevent the suspects from taking his vehicle. Both suspects fled on foot in an unknown direction. The victim was treated by EMS, and the RUPD issued a crime alert on their Facebook page about four hours later.

11:15PM: Robbery at Exxon (34 US Highway 1)
While working at Exxon Gas station, a 69-year-old man observed two female suspects attempting to take several items from the store without paying. The suspects used physical force to remove the items from the store. The victim refused medical attention and the suspects remain at large.

September 26, 2023

1:11AM: Robbery in area of Casa Taberna Bar & Liquor (14 Jersey Avenue)
A 28-year-old man was approached by three unknown suspects who used physical force to remove his personal property. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

September 28, 2023

12:45AM: Stabbing in area of Connector Way and New Street
While walking on Connector Way, a 46-year-old city man was approached by an unknown suspect who struck him with a cutting instrument while attempting to remove his personal property. The victim was hospitalized and suspect remains at large.

2:59AM: Armed robbery in front of 10 High Street
While walking in front of 10 High Street, an unknown suspect pointed a firearm at a 20-year-old city man while removing his personal property. The RUPD issued a crime alert on their Facebook page about three hours later. No injuries were reported and the suspect remains at large.

11:16PM: Aggravated assault in area of La Famosa Bar & Liquor (117 Remsen Avenue)
Responding officers located a man who suffered an injury to his face. The victim was hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.

10:49PM: Aggravated assault in front of Heldrich Hotel (10 Livingston Avenue)
During a parking dispute in front of the Heldrich Hotel, the suspects pointed a firearm with a laser at a 30-year-old city woman while making numerous threats. No injuries were reported and a follow-up investigation by NBPD Officers Regan and Sims and Detective Monticello led to arrests of 40-year-old Edison resident Timeka Brandon and 31-year-old Plainfield resident David Legrand-Bowers. Both were arrested overnight on Jill Court in Edison. Legrand-Bowers is charged with terroristic threats, while Brandon is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a handgun for unlawful purposes, unlawful possession of a handgun, and terroristic threats.

September 29, 2023

Time unknown: Suspects taken into custody on charges from February 25 shooting
Two teenagers were detained after an investigation lead by NBPD Detective Alex Flores and MCPO Detective Jose Rosario of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that two male city residents, now ages 16 and 18, were the perpetrators of the shooting that took place in the area of Joyce Kilmer Avenue and Delavan Street on February 25, 2023 at approximately 11:08 AM. A 19-year-old man was injured in the shooting and transported to the hospital in critical condition, where he was treated and later released. Both of the accused teens were charged as juveniles because they were under the age of 18 on the date of the offense. Both were processed and detained 216 days later, on warrant complaints filed September 29. The MCPO announced the charges in a press release issued six days after the complaints were filed.

September 30, 2023

2:00AM: Aggravated assault in front of Golden Rail Pub (66 Easton Avenue)
While in front of 66 Easton Avenue, a 22-year-old man was approached by several unknown suspects who assaulted him while removing his property. The suspects remain at large.

1:13PM: Domestic violence aggravated assault in area of 298 Jersey Avenue
During a verbal dispute, 24-year-old city man Miguel Robles-Corcuera allegedly struck a 17-year-old city boy several times with a blunt object. The victim was hospitalized, and NBPD Detective Gregus and Officer Bogdanski were involved in the investigation that led to the arrest of Robles-Corcuera at 120 Jersey Avenue at approximately 3:32PM. Robles-Corcuera is charged with aggravated assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

7:06PM: Aggravated assault in front of 321 Townsend Street
Two victims were struck with a blunt object during a physical altercation in front of 321 Townsend Street between three individuals. The victims were hospitalized and the suspect remains at large.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated on October 29, 2023 to reflect a belated report of an additional crime, and an additional arrest that occurred in one of the cases.