On 10/5/2018 at approximately 10:30 PM, The Vineland Police Department responded to the 1300 block of E. Sherman Ave. because residents reported hearing gunshots in the area.  Upon officers’ arrival, they discovered a vehicle had crashed into a tree and officers observed the vehicle was struck multiple times by gunfire.  Several shell casings and a handgun were located in the yard of an E. Sherman Ave. residence and the property was secured pending the application of a search warrant.  There were no injuries reported to the police on scene. 

     The Vineland Police Department and The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office later executed a search warrant at this residence on 10/6/2018 where they discovered narcotics along with a rooster fighting operation.  On 10/17/2018, a secondary search warrant was executed by The Vineland Police Department with the assistance of The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, and The Monmouth County SPCA.  During this search warrant, 132 roosters were seized from the property as part of this rooster fighting operation. 

     As a result of this investigation, the following individuals were arrested and charged: Kevin Navarro-Rodriguez (21) of the 1300 block of E. Sherman Ave. was charged with possession and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, the unlawful possession of multiple firearms, the possession of a firearm during the course of a drug distribution offense, and tampering with evidence.  Navarro-Rodriguez was held in The Cumberland County Jail pending further court action.  Oscar Navarro (49) of the 1300 block of E. Sherman Ave. was charged with possessing animals with the purpose of fighting them and he was released on a summons.  Richard Caulford (20) of the 400 block of Taylor Ave. was charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence.  He was released on a summons.  Devon Brown Jr. (21) of the 3000 block of Hance Bridge Rd. was charged with attempted homicide, the unlawful possession of a firearm, and the possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.  Brown was held in The Cumberland County Jail pending further court action.  Detective Nelson Gonzalez is the lead investigator and he can be contacted if anyone has additional information regarding this incident. 

Lt. Steven Triantos

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vineland Police Detective Bureau via any of the methods listed below:

        Vineland Police Department Detective Bureau          856.691.4111 x 4180

        Vineland Crime Stoppers (Anonymous)                     856.691.0345

Text Crime Tips to 847411 (VPDTIP) Free applications available on the Apple and Google Play Stores.        

Alert sent on 10/23/2018 at 9:17AM EDT

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