Chemical explosion in car tops this week’s Mt. Laurel Police Report
The following reports are on file with the Mt. Laurel Police Department:
On Dec. 16 at 8:18 p.m. Mt. Laurel Police were dispatched to the parking lot of Rowan College at Burlington County, 3331 Route 38 for a vehicle fire. Arriving officers discovered that there was no fire but an explosion had occurred in a vehicle. The investigation revealed that a 34-year-old custodial contractor lit a cigarette while sitting in his vehicle. The vehicle contained cleaning products that had apparently leaked. The lit cigarette ignited the chemical vapors and caused an explosion inside of the vehicle. The force of the explosion blew out all of vehicle’s windows and caused significant damage to the car. The victim sustained burns and was airlifted to Temple Burn Center in Philadelphia. He was listed in stable condition. A 38-year-old student who was sitting in an adjacent vehicle sustained injuries from flying glass when the windows of his car also broke due to the force of the explosion. The explosion was ruled accidental by the Burlington County Fire Marshal.
On Dec. 21 at 2:30 a.m. Mt. Laurel Police stopped three suspicious people walking in the area of 1108 Route 73. During the stop officers arrested a male, age 19, of, Queens, NY. He was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and released pending a court hearing.
A 48-year-old victim reported that jewelry and credit cards were stolen from her purse while it was left unattended at a hotel on Route 73. She placed her purse under a chair during an event on the afternoon of Dec. 20 when the items were stolen.
On Dec. 20 at 2:15 a.m. Mt. Laurel Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 73 near Church Road. During the stop officers arrested a male, age 24, of East Norriton, PA. He was charged with possession of PCP, possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released pending a court hearing.
A victim reported that his vehicle was forcibly entered on Dec. 19 between 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. while it was parked behind the LA Fitness on Dearborn circle. The door lock and door handle were damaged. Credit cards were stolen and then fraudulently used at several stores.
On Dec. 19 at 3:10 a.m. Mt. Laurel Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 73 near I295. During the stop officers arrested a male, age 26, of Camden and a male, age 24, of Camden, NJ. Both were charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana. The 24-year-old was also charged with possession of a stun gun. Both were released pending a court hearing.
On Dec. 19 at 12:25 a.m. Mt. Laurel Police located an occupied suspicious vehicle in the park on Sternlight Drive. During the investigation the driver, a male, age 21, of Delran provided false identifying information to an officer. He also had marijuana in the vehicle. When officers were placing the male under arrest he attempted to run away but was quickly taken into custody. He was charged with hindering his own apprehension, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, and possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana. He was released pending a court hearing.
On Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. Mt. Laurel Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Church Road near Heather Drive. The vehicle had been involved in a hit and run crash in Cherry Hill. During the investigation officers arrested a male, age 60, of Mt. Laurel. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and released pending a court hearing.
On Dec. 18 at 12:45 a.m. Mt. Laurel Police responded to a residence on the unit block of Delancy Place for a medical emergency. The arriving officer located the victim in a bedroom and quickly determined a 27-year-old male had overdosed on heroin. The officer administered Narcan and revived the victim. The male was transported to a hospital by Mt. Laurel EMS and Virtua Paramedics.
A resident of the 1000 building on Scotswood Court reported someone threw a small landscaping statue through a front window of his residence on Dec. 18 at 1:10 a.m.
A victim reported that their Apple iPhone was stolen at the YMCA on Centerton Road on Dec. 16 between 7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. The juvenile victim reported that the phone was stolen from his gym bag that he left unattended in the gym while he played basketball.
A victim reported that his 2002 blue Chrysler Town and Country minivan was stolen from the parking lot of a hotel on Route 73 on Dec. 17 at approximately 6 p.m. The victim reported that the vehicle was not locked at the time of the theft.
A resident on the 100 block of Knotty Oak Drive reported someone attempted to gain entry to his residence. The investigation revealed that someone cut a screen on a rear window and attempted to pry the window locks open on Dec. 16 between 8 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. No entry was made.
On Dec. 15 at 9:05 a.m. Mt. Laurel Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 73 near Clover Road. During the stop officers arrested a male, age 30, of Florence for an outstanding warrant. He was also found in possession of prescription narcotics. He was charged with possession of prescription medication without a prescription and turned over to another law enforcement agency for the warrant.
On Dec. 14 at 9:05 p.m. Mt. Laurel Police responded to a noise complaint at a hotel on Route 73. During the investigation officers arrested a female, age 38, of Mt. Laurel for several criminal warrants. She was also found in possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. She was charged with drug and drug paraphernalia possession with bail set at $25,000 no ten percent option. She was committed to the Burlington County Jail.
On Dec. 14 at 2:45 p.m. Mt. Laurel Police responded to a hotel on Diemer Drive for a customer dispute. During the investigation officers arrested a suspect, age 30, of Glen Burnie, MD for possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was released pending a court hearing.
