Latest news with #GraceMacAulay
CBS News
02-05-2025
- CBS News
2 U.S. Army Reserve members help stop carjacking, assault of a woman in South Jersey
Workers install chimney at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel ahead of papal conclave | Digital Brief Workers install chimney at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel ahead of papal conclave | Digital Brief Workers install chimney at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel ahead of papal conclave | Digital Brief Two U.S. Army Reserve members intervened and prevented a carjacking in progress in South Jersey on Thursday morning, local authorities say. The two men restrained another man who had tried to steal a woman's car and was assaulting her, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. Prosecutor Grace MacAulay and Waterford Township police Chief Daniel Cormaney said the incident began when 45-year-old Rondean McDonald, of Mays Landing, crashed a vehicle in a wooded area off Jackson Road near Waverly Avenue in the township sometime after 8 a.m. McDonald then allegedly attacked and strangled a 59-year-old woman from Lindenwold, who was driving a different vehicle. He ripped open the locked passenger side door and demanded to be driven out of the area, assaulting the woman when she did not drive away, according to the officials. That's when the military members passed by, noticed the assault and began to help the woman. One man used a fire extinguisher to break a window of the woman's vehicle and then pull McDonald out. The Good Samaritans then restrained McDonald until officers could arrive. Other passersby stopped by to help and called 911, according to police. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition. McDonald was also taken to a hospital and is now in custody in the Camden County Correctional Facility. He's charged with first-degree carjacking and kidnapping, as well as aggravated assault and criminal mischief. McDonald is awaiting a detention hearing on the charges in Camden County Superior Court.
CBS News
01-04-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
South Jersey county launches initiative to bridge communication between police, people with special needs
Many drivers in Camden County are being shown more compassion behind the wheel, especially during a traffic stop. Officials launched the Blue Envelope Initiative with the goal of creating a safer and more helpful communication between police officers and individuals with special needs. "These blue envelopes will definitely help reduce stress and anxiety for autistic individuals during traffic stops. By alerting officers to their condition, it cuts out all the guesswork," Grace MacAulay, the Camden County Prosecutor, said. The Camden County Prosecutor's Office and County Commissioners unveiled the initiative Tuesday on the first day of Autism Acceptance Month. Police said the blue envelope will provide officers with more information, and better communication leads to better outcomes. "It tells our officers that we are dealing with someone with a neurodiversity issue, that makes the encounter safer for not only the driver or the occupants but also for the officers," Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said. The front of the envelope tells drivers what to expect during the stop, and on the back are tips for officers to make it easier to interact with people with autism, or neurodivergent drivers. Inside the envelope, drivers can have all their important documents in one place. Twenty-four-year-old John Sztenderowicz got his license nearly two years ago, and his mom said one of her worries was if he ever got stopped by a cop. "So having blue envelope and knowing it's there, it makes me feel 1,000 times better," Patricia Sztenderowicz said. Officials said the envelope is a simple, yet effective way to reduce stress, while also helping officers learn more about a driver's disability. "We want everybody treated with dignity and respect and this Blue Envelope Program is a big step in that direction," Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli said. The blue envelopes will be available at police stations in the county, at hospitals and on the county's website.
