Cinnaminson Police Break Up Bonfire Amid Coronavirus Quarantine

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Cinnaminson police broke up a bonfire on the Pennsauken Creek and charged 11 people with violating Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order barring public gatherings during the outbreak of new coronavirus.

The group was gathered on the bank of the Pennsauken Creek near Glenview Drive in Cinnaminson on Sunday, according to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

They were having a bonfire and drinking alcohol, according to authorities. They had taken boats and wave runners to get to the location, authorities said.

Cinnaminson police broke up the gathering, and charged the following people, all of Maple Shade, with violating the emergency orders:

• Nicholas Natale, 18;
• Kenneth Booth Jr., 18;
• Charles Thompson Jr., 19;
• Richard Karcher, 19;
• Donald Murray, 19;
• Jonathan Kinnerman, 20;
• Shawn Durst, 21;
• Timothy Durst-McMaster, 22;
• Michael Ragone, 27;
• Douglas Miller, 27; and
• Brian Schaefer, 29.

They were not arrested, and will their cases will be tried in municipal court, authorities said. 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.

“One month after Governor Murphy issued his emergency orders, we are flattening the curve and saving lives, because the vast majority of our residents are conscientiously obeying the social distancing rules and doing their share to fight COVID-19,” Grewal said. “Unfortunately, there are still those who violate the orders, risking the further spread of this deadly virus. What is worse, there are some who deliberately threaten our brave police officers, medical personnel, and other essential workers, impeding their vital work. Our message to violators is that we will hold you accountable, whether it is through a summons for those who violate the social distancing orders, or an arrest on indictable charges for those who deliberately harm or threaten others during this emergency.”

“Although law enforcement and medical professionals are on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19, we are ultimately winning the war because of the extraordinary resolve and fortitude of New Jersey citizens who are doing their part day in and day out, abiding by the executive orders and sacrificing for the greater good,” Callahan said. “Those who choose to ignore the law and selfishly place others at risk will face swift law enforcement action.”

Anyone who sees a lack of compliance with the governor’s emergency orders should contact their local police department or report the violations online at https://covid19.nj.gov/violation.