Trenton, N.J. - A nearly three-month-long investigation into several incidents of citizens being shot with a paintball gun has resulted in two arrests. Detectives assigned to the Trenton Police Department Robbery Unit received multiple reports of Hispanic male victims being struck with paintballs fired from a moving vehicle. Two victims were pedestrians walking on a sidewalk and a third was sitting on a porch during the separate incidents. Each of the victims suffered bruising and abrasions. One of the victims struck at least 5 times with wounds to his chest, back, forearm, and both sides of his body. Detective Gribbin of the Trenton Police Department Robbery Unit and a Trenton Police detective assigned to the New Jersey State Police Real Time Crime Center spoke with the victims, visited the scenes, and reviewed evidence to identify the perpetrators as well as the vehicle. Detective Gribbin completed warrant complaints against Jamal Crusoe and Jesse I. Jones, charging them with Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
Crime Suppression Unit detectives observed Crusoe in the area of 107 Walnut Ave where he attempted to flee from the detectives on foot but surrendered in front of 27 Walnut Avenue. A search incident to arrest revealed Crusoe possessed a distributable amount of what appears to be heroin. Crusoe received additional charges of Obstructing the Administration of Law, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Intent to Distribute CDS Heroin, and Intent to Distribute CDS Heroin within 500 feet of a Park. A black revolver was also located in the path Crusoe traveled while running from the detectives. Detectives are attempting to review video surveillance footage which may have captured Crusoe discarding the revolver. Additional charges will be filed if it is determined that Crusoe possessed the revolver. Jones was arrested without incident at 608 Riverside Drive on the aforementioned charges.
Anyone with additional information regarding individuals committing assaults with a paintball gun from June 2024 - present is encouraged to contacted Detective Sergeant Michael Cipriano at 609-575-2235.
**CHARGES ARE MERE ACCUSATIONS AND THE ACCUSED ARE CONSIDERED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW**
For Further Information Please Contact:
Detective Lieutenant Lisette Rios #49
Policy and Planning / Public Information Officer
609-989-4055 / 609-575-2311