Domestic Violence, DWI, Drug Related Arrests Reported In Raritan

RARITAN, NJ — Arrests for domestic violence, driving while intoxicated, shoplifting, and drug-related charges were reported recently in Raritan.

Raritan Borough Police Blotter for September:

On Sept. 4 at 2:24 a.m.: A Raritan patrol officer saw a fight in progress outside of the Quick Chek on West Somerset Street. On scene, it was determined that Paul Mason, 38 (no known address) had stolen several items from the store, and an employee tried to stop him. Mason shoved the employee to the ground as officers were arriving. Mason was arrested for shoplifting, simple assault and possession of drug paraphernalia (crack pipe). Mason was released pending a court appearance.

On Sept. 5 at 12:09 a.m.: A 26-year-old from Raritan, was arrested for shoplifting $20 worth of items at the Quick Chek on West Somerset Street. He was released pending a court appearance.

On Sept. 5 at 1:47 a.m.: Raritan patrol officers were dispatched to the Quick Chek on the Somerville Traffic Circle for a shoplifting in progress. On scene, officers located Brandon Jones, 33, of Raritan, and Kimberly Baird, 33, of Somerville and identified them as suspects. During the investigation, Jones ran away on foot and was apprehended after a brief pursuit. Jones was charged with shoplifting, hindering apprehension, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, failure to turn over a controlled dangerous substance (heroin and crack) and possession of drug paraphernalia (crack pipe). Baird had fled the scene on her bicycle and was found a short time later on Route 206 at Sherman Avenue. Barid was charged with hindering apprehension and resisting arrest. Baird was released pending a court appearance, and Jones was later lodged in the Somerset County Jail.

On Sept. 9: Christopher Browne (no known address) was arrested on numerous warrants for failing to appear in court. Browne was lodged at the Somerset County Jail.

On Sept. 9 at 7:40 a.m.: Raritan patrol officers were dispatched to the intersection of Route 206 and Orlando Drive on a report of a man running in and out of traffic. Officers found Jesse Panyko (no known address) and determined he needed to be taken to a local hospital for evaluation. While searching Panyko, officers located a glass methamphetamine smoking pipe. Panyko was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

On Sept. 11 at 1:04 a.m.: Edvin Xuya-Serech, 24, of Flemington, was arrested for driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop at Route 202 and First Avenue. Serech was also charged with refusal to submit a breath sample, failing to obey a traffic control device and reckless driving. Serech was released pending court appearance.

On Sept. 11: Malachi Hill, 19, of Flemington, was arrested for burglary and motor vehicle theft as a result of an incident that occurred on July 21. On July 21, officers went to an address on Santora Drive for a report of a stolen 2024 BMW X3. On July 22, the stolen vehicle was found abandoned in Newark by the Newark Police Department. Through various investigative means and with the help of the Raritan Township Police Department in Hunterdon County, Hill was developed as a suspect. Hill is currently lodged at the Warren County jail on charges unrelated to this incident.

On Sept. 12 at 11:44 a.m.: Raritan patrol officers were dispatched to a business on Route 206 for a trespassing complaint. Offices located Jesse Panyko (no known address) and learned that he had been previously trespassed from the business. Panyko was charged with trespassing and obstruction. Panyko was arrested and released pending a court appearance.

On Sept. 12 at 2:43 p.m.: Damian Little, 42, of Raritan, was arrested for trespassing and obstruction after officers saw him at the Quick Chek on the Somerville Traffic Circle. Little had previously trespassed at the business. Little was released pending a court appearance.

On Sept. 17 at 11:58 p.m.: Javril Boon, 35, of Newark, was charged with criminal mischief following an incident at police headquarters. Boon had been placed under arrest by the Bridgewater Police Department for driving while intoxicated and was taken to our police headquarters to provide breath samples. While inside headquarters, Boon kicked a hole in a wall, causing damage. Boon was eventually released pending a court appearance.

On Sept. 19: Raritan patrol officers responded to a home on a report of a domestic violence incident. While en route to the call, officers were advised that the suspect had left the scene in a vehicle. Responding officers found the suspect, 50-year-old Raritan man, in his vehicle on Canal Street and he was subsequently placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. There were no further charges stemming from the incident. The man was released pending a court appearance.

On Sept. 21 at 3:12 p.m.: Raritan patrol officers were dispatched to a home on a report of an assault. Officers arrested a 58-year-old Raritan man for a domestic violence simple assault offense. The man was later lodged in the Somerset County Jail.

On Sept. 27 at 7:10 a.m.: Raritan patrol officers were dispatched to a home on a report of an assault. Officers arrested a 28-year-old Somerville man for a domestic violence simple assault offense. The man was later lodged in the Somerset County Jail.

On Sept. 29 at 12:45 a.m.: Maximino Ramirez-Potrero, 44, of Somerville, was arrested for driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop on Cornell Boulevard at West End Ave. Potrero was also charged with maintenance of lamps, open container of alcohol, driving without a license (never licensed), operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, reckless driving and careless driving. Potrero was released pending a court appearance.

On Sept. 29: Lamount Curry, 54, of Union, was charged with theft as a result of an investigation that started in May 2025 at Petco in Raritan. An investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division revealed that while Curry was a General Manager at Petco, he stole $9,773.88 worth of business deposits he was supposed to be making. A court appearance is pending.

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