1/11/2017 - BTPD Arrests Two Suspects for Misuse of 911 Emergency Telephone System
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ – At 11:24 AM on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, P/O Ortiz-Cruz conducted a motor vehicle stop in the 2500 Block of Mount Holly Road in Burlington Township, NJ due to the fact that the vehicle was being unsafely driven on a flat tire. At the time of the stop, the vehicle was operated by Justin Garcia, 23 year old male from Bronx, NY, and it was additionally occupied by Shaquille Wilson, 23 year old male from Bronx, NY.
While P/O Ortiz-Cruz was conducting the stop and investigating the vehicle’s invalid registration, Burlington County Central Communications received a 911 call that a robbery just occurred in the area of Jacksonville Road and Mill Lane in Burlington Township. Other BTPD officers responded to that area and investigated the call. However, they could not find a victim or any signs of a crime, prompting them to suspect that the call may have been bogus.
Officers conducted further investigation and determined that the 911 robbery call came from Garcia’s cell phone. Additionally, it was determined that the call was made in concert by both Garcia and Wilson in an attempt to divert P/O Ortiz-Cruz and other officers from investigating their motor vehicle stop.
Garcia was arrested on outstanding warrants and additionally charged with filing a fictitious police report, false public alarm/misuse of 911 system and hindering apprehension. Wilson was arrested and charged with filing a fictitious police report and false public alarm/misuse of 911 system. Both suspects were lodged in the Burlington County Jail.