2 Men Fired Paintballs At Residents In Mercer, Charged: Police

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Two people have been charged following an investigation into residents being struck with a paintball gun, Trenton Police said.

The three-month-long investigation led to the arrest of Jamal Crusoe and Jesse I. Jones. They were charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Over the past few months, Trenton Police Department Robbery Unit received multiple reports of Hispanic men being struck with paintballs fired from a moving vehicle.

Two victims were pedestrians walking on a sidewalk and a third was sitting on a porch during the separate incidents, police said.

Each of the men suffered bruising and abrasions. One of them was struck at least five times with wounds to his chest, back, forearm and both sides of his body.

Crime Suppression Unit detectives found Crusoe in the area of 107 Walnut Avenue where he tried to flee from the detectives on foot but surrendered in front of 27 Walnut Avenue, police said.

Authorities said a search revealed “Crusoe possessed a distributable amount of what appears to be heroin.”

He was additionally charged with obstructing the administration of law, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, intent to distribute CD heroin, and intent to distribute CDS heroin within 500 feet of a park.

A black revolver was found in the path Crusoe traveled while running from the detectives, but it’s unclear if belonged to him, authorities said.

Jones was arrested without incident at 608 Riverside Drive, police said.

Anyone with additional information regarding individuals committing assaults with a paintball gun from June 2024 - present should contact Detective Sergeant Michael Cipriano at 609-575-2235.

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