Massive House Parties Lead To Assault, Wawa Mayhem In Gloucester Twp.: Police

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Two Gloucester Township homeowners received citations after holding large, "for-profit" parties Sunday night that attracted hundreds and led to an assault and then mayhem at Wawa, police said.

The parties happened at different points of the night in the township's Sicklerville section, police said.

Officers broke up a large party with loud music around 9:20 p.m. on the 100 block of Vance Avenue. About 300 people were in the backyard, and several people were charging admission at the yard entrance, according to police.

Police say they also found a flyer promoting the event.

As attendees left in large groups, they gathered in the roadway and blocked traffic, discarding trash onto the street and sidewalks, police said. It took officers about 90 minutes to clear the roadway.

Then, at about 10:30 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Andrea Court for another call related to a large party — specifically with a large fight.

A large amount of the same group from Vance Avenue moved to the new location. A large group in the crowd surrounded a resident's vehicle that had struck a parked car, police said.

The group attempted to assault the driver and threw a liquor bottle at the vehicle, shattering the back window, police said.

Officers dispersed the crowd, which moved to the local Wawa and caused another disturbance, police said. Wawa temporarily closed as the crowd was removed from the property.

The party organizers and homeowners were cited for maintaining a nuisance — a local regulation punishable by up to 90 days' imprisonment, a maximum fine of $500, or both if convicted.

Police identified them as Devida Bailey, 52, and Diamond Jones, 39. Attorney information for either wasn't immediately available.

Police have not announced charges against anyone else involved as of Monday afternoon.

The investigation is ongoing into charges for zoning and code violations at both homes, along with potential charges for "home occupations involving commercial enterprise," police said.

"The Gloucester Township Police Department highly discourages this type of large for-profit gatherings in residential neighborhood homes as they are a safety hazard and in violation of multiple State, Local and Zoning ordinances and will investigate and prosecute any and all reports of such to the fullest extent," police said in a statement.

Anyone who witnessed the incidents or has information that may assist investigators can call the Gloucester Township Police Department at 856-228-4500 or the GTPD's Anonymous Tip Line at 856-842-5560. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the department's web portal or by texting “TIPGLOTWPPD” followed by your message to 888777.