8 Charged In Home Invasion, NJ Trooper Shooting: Authorities

Eight people have been charged in two related incidents in which a New Jersey State Trooper was shot over the weekend in South Jersey, authorities announced on Tuesday.

Three men have been charged in the shooting of the trooper who was investigating a home invasion that took place in Pittsgrove on Saturday night, according to authorities. Five women were charged in the home invasion itself.

They have all been arrested and are being held in Salem County Jail pending pre-trial detention hearings, according to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Patrick J. Callahan, and Salem County Prosecutor John T. Lenahan.

The most serious charge was leveled against 21-year-old Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings of Bridgeton, who was charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, authorities said.

“We have zero tolerance for those who violently attack our law enforcement officers,” Grewal said. “Our State Troopers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and Saturday’s incident is an important reminder of the brave work our Troopers perform. I am grateful to the investigators and prosecutors who have worked around the clock since Saturday night to identify the perpetrators and ensure that they are held accountable.”

“Anyone attempting to murder a New Jersey State Trooper, or any member of law enforcement, will find no safe haven. Our pursuit will be relentless, unwavering and swift,” Callahan said. “Fortunately, we did not suffer a tragedy. I commend our troopers and partnering agencies who ensured that those responsible were quickly arrested and no longer pose a threat to our communities.”

Five women broke into a home in the Harding Woods mobile home park on Harding Highway in Pittsgrove at about 6:15 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.

They attacked the woman who lived there and stole her iPhone, according to authorities. The woman suffered a broken rib and lacerated lung, authorities said.

At about 10:30 p.m. that night, Det. Richard Hershey, a state trooper, was investigating the burglary when he was approached by a caravan of vehicles, authorities said. Several people got out of the vehicles and approached the trooper, who identified himself as a law enforcement officer, authorities said.

Hutchings, 19-year-old Kareen "Kai" Warner Jr. of Bridgeton, and Colby Opperman, 18, of Bridgeton, were all armed with guns, authorities said.

Hutchings shot the trooper, who was injured in the upper leg, authorities said. The trooper shot back, and the three men fled the scene, authorities said.

Hershey was taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden and underwent surgery. He is recovering in the hospital and is in stable condition, authorities said.

A woman who was part of the caravan was shot in the leg during the gunfight, authorities said. She was treated at the hospital and later released. She has not been charged in this incident.

Hutchings was charged with first-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault on a police officer, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Warner and Opperman were each charged with a single count of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

The investigation of the trooper shooting is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.
The following five women were charged with three second-degree crimes — aggravated assault, robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery – as well as burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary, which are both third-degree crimes:

• Jazmin Valentin, 32, of Bridgeton;
• Yomari Lazu, 43, of Bridgeton.;
• Iramari Lazu, 22, of Bridgeton;
• Maria Betancourt, 39, of Vineland; and
• Mayra Roblero, 52, of Bridgeton.

New Jersey State Police and the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office investigated the home invasion. The shooting investigation was conducted by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability and the New Jersey State Police, specifically the Major Crime Unit South, Troop “A” Criminal Investigation Office, Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Cold Case Unit of the New Jersey State Police.

The arrests were made by the New Jersey State Police Fugitive and TEAMS Units. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos, Jr. and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson.