AFTER HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ASSEMBLE AT THE HOME OF A MAN TO PROTEST THE MAN'S REPEATED RACIAL INTIMIDATION OF NEIGHBORS, AUTHORITIES TAKE MAN INTO CUSTODY ON CHARGES
" Edward C. Matthews Was Arrested & Charged With Bias Intimidation & Harassment Offences Last Night As Hundreds Of People Protest In Front Of Man's Home."
July 6, 2021 Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ.- On Tuesday July 6, 2021 Burlington Scott A. Coffina announced that on Monday, July 5, 2021, after hundreds of people assembled to protest the continued Harassment and Racial Bias Intimidation of neighbors, Police Officers from Mount Laurel Police Department arrested Edward C. Matthews, 45, of the 3600 Block of Gramercy Way in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.
Matthews was taken into custody in the early yesterday evening at his residence, Matthews was processed and transported to The Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly, New Jersey. He was scheduled for a first appearance today in Superior Court. The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office has moved to detain Matthews, and he will be held pending a Detention Hearing, most likely to be heard on Friday, July 9, 2021.
A Statement From Burlington County Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina;
" It is difficult to overstate how vile and despicable the conduct by this defendant towards his neighbors was on Friday night. No one should ever have to deal with such hatred thrown in their face anywhere, but especially on their own doorstep. I want to commend the victims for showing incredible restraint in the midst of this unprovoked rant by the defendant. We recognize the justifiable outrage of the community-of All members of the community-at the defendant's conduct, and vow to see this prosecution through so that justice is done.
That said, it was unfortunate that some participants in yesterday's protest resorted to violence and the destruction of property, including that of the defendant's neighbors, as Officers tried to escort the defendant from his home to the waiting patrol car. We will be reviewing evidence from the scene and will hold accountable anyone who committed criminal acts.
We appreciate those members of the community who came forward with information and video evidence to support the charges we brought against the defendant over the weekend. We are all in this together, and we urge anyone with information or evidence of prior incidents involving this defendant to come forward and present it to Mount Laurel Police Department or our Office.
We also vow to work with our elected officials, The Mount Laurel Police Department, Community Leaders, and Members of the Public to help the Community Heal and move past this incident. The Law Enforcement Community will do everything within our power to make our residents, no matter their background, feel safe and welcome in their homes, and wherever they work, play or go to school in Burlington County."
Information can be submitted to The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office at tips@co.burlington.nj.us to the Mount Laurel Police Department at tips@mountlaurelpd.org or by calling The Mount Laurel Police Department Tip Line at (856) 234-1414, extension 1599.
"The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER JULY 6, 2021: LAW, BURLINGTON: