5 South Jersey Residents Violated Stay-At-Home Orders: Police

Five South Jersey residents have been charged after violating Gov. Phil Murphy's orders to stay-at-home during the current outbreak of new coronavirus, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, announced.

Deja M. Lewis, 28, of Salem City, was charged on Saturday by the Salem City Police with second-degree terroristic threats during an emergency. Lewis was arrested on warrants. While at police headquarters, she began to cough near the arresting officers who were processing her. As she was coughing, she claimed that she was diagnosed COVID-19 positive and the health department had been to her apartment.

Alycia D. Roman, 37, of Camden, was arrested on Sunday, April 12, by the Brooklawn Police Department on charges of robbery (2nd degree), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (3rd degree), shoplifting (disorderly persons offense), and violation of the emergency orders. Police responded to a report of shoplifting at the ShopRite in Brooklawn. Store employees followed Roman to her vehicle after she allegedly walked out of the store with various items without paying for them. When one employee tried to recover the items, Roman argued with him and allegedly spat on his shirt. She then drove in reverse, allegedly striking another employee. As she drove away, that second man had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck again.

Joseph C. Davenport, 34, of Penns Grove, was charged late Saturday night by the Penns Grove Police with violating the emergency orders. Police on patrol found a group of approximately six people gathered outside and not practicing social distancing. When police approached the group, Davenport allegedly became verbally abusive to the officers.

Dionicia Zapoteco, 36, of Bridgeton, was arrested Saturday by the Bridgeton Police on charges of DWI, resisting arrest (disorderly persons offense), and violating the emergency orders. She allegedly was involved in a hit-and-run accident on Bank Street in Bridgeton.

Gina F. Fabrico, 29, of Gloucester Township, was charged on Saturday by the Gloucester Township Police with violating a restraining order (4th degree) and violating the emergency orders for traveling to the home of a relative who has a restraining order against her.

“Our police officers are working bravely and tirelessly every day to protect us during this health crisis. Regrettably, they are being called upon far too often to deal with people violating the emergency orders— or what is more egregious, people using the virus to spread fear or impede officers in their vital work,” Grewal said. “Staying home and maintaining social distance isn’t just the best advice to stay healthy, it’s the law. Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to keep our residents and officers safe, and that means we won’t hesitate to file charges against violators.”

Violations of the emergency orders constitute a disorderly persons offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. However, violators can potentially face criminal charges including second, third, and fourth degree indictable offenses.

Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Anyone who sees someone violating the governor's emergency orders in your town is asked to contact their local police department or report them here https://covid19.nj.gov/violation.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know