Trenton

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — A 48-year-old convenience store owner was arraigned Tuesday in Wayne County Circuit Court on charges of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the back room of his Fort Street business. Rakeshkumar Patel was charged before Circuit Court Judge David Groner with two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 15, a 15-year-felony; one count of criminal sexual conduct of force or coercion; and onecount of furnishing alcohol to a … [Read more...] about Court date set for convenience store rape

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — Kathleen Edward’s two-year battle reached its end Wednesday when the 9-year-old girl died from Huntington’s Disease. Kathleen reportedly died at 10:07 p.m. in Wyandotte, after feeling ill in recent days. Kathleen’s mother, Laura Edward, died of Huntington’s in 2009. The family’s long struggle was compounded by international attention when a Detroit Street neighbor of Kathleen and Laura, Jennifer Petkov, posted a picture of Laura superimposed with a skull and crossbones. … [Read more...] about Girl at center of neighbor troubles dies

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — By design, the newly-selected President of the Trenton Board of Education is not walking into unfamiliar territory. Mike Hawkins, selected Monday to head the panel for the next year, has been on the board for four years and is ready to take his turn. “We do it a little different than most districts and rotate the position,” Hawkins said. “Keeps things fair, and gives everyone a chance to be in that position.” By day, Hawkins is a 10-year veteran of the Trenton Police … [Read more...] about Hawkins ready to helm school board

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — Police are investigating the apparent suicide of a U.S. Border Patrol Agent who was found dead in his patrol car Monday. “It’s under investigation,” Trenton Police Chief James Nardone said. “All the information leads us to believe it’s a suicide.” The agent was discovered in the parking lot of Oakwood Southshore Medical Center, 5650 Fort St., about 7:15 p.m. The agent’s name was not released as of press time. Nardone said that while Trenton police are investigating … [Read more...] about Border agent’s death likely a suicide

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — A teenage girl’s account of her alleged rape dominated a preliminary examination held Tuesday before 33rd District Court Judge Jennifer Coleman Hesson. The hearing concluded with Rakeshkumar Patel, 48, bound over to Wayne County Circuit Court on four charges related to the alleged Nov. 23 sexual assault. The girl testified that she and her friends spent considerable time at the Trenton Food Mart, 3720 Fort St., where local teens knew the owner, Patel, as “Rocky.” The girl … [Read more...] about Rape suspect bound for circuit court

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — A 16-year-old recently-licensed driver was, police said, “lucky” to walk away with a ticket after his car was hit by a train crossing Fort Street north of Van Horn. No serious injuries were reported after the collision, which occurred about 11 a.m. Tuesday. Trenton Police Sgt. Bradley Petraska, head of the department’s traffic bureau, said the driver was traveling north on Fort Street in a 1992 Toyota. Seeing the signal lights warning that a train was due to cross, the driver … [Read more...] about Teen driver walks away from train crash

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — The mayoral campaign of former City Clerk Kyle Stack focused heavily on two issues: For the city administration to work as a team; and to pursue economic development. One month into her service as mayor, Stack has the City Hall team in place and is ready to tackle the city’s struggling economy in 2012. Since swearing in last month, Stack made several changes to Trenton’s top staff, including installing new Police Chief James Nardone and promoting Joann Perna to Parks and … [Read more...] about Trenton staff changes complete

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — A local businessman facing criminal sexual conduct charges will next appear before 33rd District Court Judge Jennifer Coleman Hesson for a Jan. 3 pre-trial examination, according to the court docket. Rakeshkumar B. Patel, 48, was arrested last month and arraigned on two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 15, a 15-year felony, after a girl told police that Patel furnished her with alcohol and raped her at a convenience store. During a … [Read more...] about Rape suspect faces January exam

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — A preliminary exam is scheduled for Tuesday to review evidence involving the alleged rape of a girl by a local businessman. Rakeshkuma B. Patel, 48, was arrested and arraigned Nov. 26 after a girl between the ages of 13 and 15 told police she’d been sexually assaulted that morning at Patel’s place of business. Patel was arraigned on two counts of criminal sexual conduct, each carrying a potential 15-year prison sentence. Reportedly, the girl knew Patel and the incident … [Read more...] about Trenton businessman faces rape charge