Wawa Armed Robber Busted By Middletown Cops

Cole Murch. photo via facebook

Cole Murch, 21, of Middletown was arrested by the Middletown Police Department yesterday afternoon after he brandished a knife while approaching a gas attendant demanding money at the Wawa store on Route 36 in the Leonardo section of the township, according to a statement by Middletown Township Police Chief R. Craig Weber.

Murch fled on foot after the incident.  The Middletown PD received a call reporting the robbery at 3:39 p.m.  Multiple units responded and Murch was apprehended in the area shortly thereafter.  He was taken into custody by Detective First Class Daniel Sullivan and Detective Keith Hirschbein and charged with charged with First Degree Robbery, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes, Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons, and Resisting Arrest.

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Middletown Named 5th Safest Town To Raise Children

Middletown Township has been named the safest town in New Jersey and the 5th safest in the nation to raise a child, according to Safewise, a security and safety website, in their recent The 30 Safest Cities to Raise a Child-2016 report.

“Our ranking as one of the top five places in the United States to raise a child once again affirms our assertion that Middletown is a great place to live,” said Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger. “The accolade is concrete evidence that the township’s police department and its school district continue to be among the absolute best in the nation.”

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Middletown’s Crime Rate Lowest Since 1969

The Jets were Super Bowl Champions and Neil Armstrong took the first walk on the moon during the year when Middletown Township had less serious crime than occurred in 2015.

There were 520 index crimes reported in Middletown during 2015, for an Index Crime Rate of 7.82 per 1000 people.  Index crimes are those that are reported annually to the FBI.  They are murder and non-negligent homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny-theft, and arson.

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Middletown Has A New Police Chief

R. Craig Weber was sworn in as the 8th Chief to lead the Middletown Township Police Department over its 86 year history last evening before an overflow crowd at Town Hall.

Mayor Stephanie C. Murray administered the Oath of Office as Weber’s family stood beside him.

During his remarks, Weber acknowledged the support and friendship of his Deputy Chiefs and all the members of the department.  He welcomed the Chiefs of several area municipalities and law enforcement leaders from County, State and Federal law enforcement agencies.  Weber said that under his leadership there would be an increased level of cooperation with other agencies.

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