The following information was provided by the Medford Township Police Department.
On Wednesday, Dec. 7at 4:38 p.m., Medford Township Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Taunton Road for a vehicle fire. Police arrived on location to find a stake body, leave collection vehicle belonging to H & H Landscaping out of West Berlin fully engulfed in fire. The Medford Township Fire Department arrived on location and extinguished the fire without incident. The driver and occupants had already exited the vehicle and no injuries were reported. The driver stated that other vehicles alerted him that he was leaking gas prior to the vehicle fire. Traffic was detoured on Taunton Road between Tuckerton Road and Himmelein Road for approximately one hour. The incident is still under investigation by the Medford Police Department.
On Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 11 p.m., Medford Township Police responded to a residence on Medford Evesboro Road for the report of items taken from a vehicle. The owner reported that, sometime overnight between Tuesday, Dec. 6 and Wednesday, Dec. 7, his unsecured vehicle was entered. Loose change, cash and a wallet were removed from the vehicle. No suspect information was provided. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to call (609) 267–8300.
On Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 10:24 p.m., Medford Police stopped a black Ford F-150 on Route 70 near Medford Leas Way, after it was observed running without its lights on in the parking lot of a closed business on Route 70. When police turned around to investigate, the above vehicle then attempted to leave at a high rate of speed. The driver was identified as Robert Connelly. While speaking with the driver, the odor of burnt marijuana was emanating from within the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a red bag and an unmarked prescription bottle both containing marijuana and various articles of drug paraphernalia. Connelly was placed under arrest for possession of marijuana under 50 grams and CDS paraphernalia. Connelly was transported to police headquarters to be processed. After being processed, he was released after being issued summons for 2C:35–10a (4) possession of marijuana under 50 grams, 2C: 36–2 possession of CDS paraphernalia, and 39:4–49.1 possession of CDS in a motor vehicle.
On Friday, Nov. 25, at 8:20 a.m., Medford Township Police and EMS responded to a motor vehicle crash on Tabernacle Road near Forest Glen Drive. Additional information was provided indicating that an adult male and adult female fled the crash carrying a baby. The crash was serious in nature and the condition of the occupants that fled the scene was unknown. The New Jersey State Police, Mt. Holly Police, Lumberton Police as well as a K9 from the Evesham Police Department assisted Medford Police. The subsequent investigation revealed that Richard Scott III was the driver of the vehicle. Patricia Scott and their 17-month -old baby also occupied the vehicle.
They fled the scene due to having suspended driver’s licenses and outstanding arrest warrants. Child Protection and Permanency was contacted and with their assistance the child was located, approximately eight hours after the crash, and received treatment at Virtua Hospital. The Diamondback Trading Post in Southampton employs Richard Scott III. The owner of the Diamondback Trading Post, Renee Shanafelt, resides on Mockingbird Way and concealed the subjects in the basement of her residence. Renee Shanafelt also instructed the subjects to change their appearance by shaving facial hair and changing clothes. She also instructed Richard Scott III to send text messages to act as an alibi for his location at the time of the crash.
On Saturday, Nov. 26, Richard Scott III was charged with numerous motor vehicle violations. Richard Scott III and Patricia Scott were also charged with obstructing the administration of law.
On Wednesday, Nov. 30, Renee Shanafelt was charged with two counts of hindering apprehension. New Jersey State Police from the Red Lion Barracks arrested Shanafelt at her residence. During the arrest, Shanafelt resisted arrest and was charged additionally with resisting arrest. Renee Shanafelt was transported to the Medford Township Police Administration Building where she was processed and released on $10,000 full bail.
