2003 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

February 13, 2003

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Camden Police Chief Robert Allenbach announced today that officers arrested Edward Hawkins, M/18, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, and charged him with Murder in connection with the shooting death of Thomas Moore, M/28, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003.

At an arraignment today, Superior Court Judge Samuel D. Natal set bail for the defendant at $400,000 cash or bond. Hawkins, of the 1200 block of Sycamore Street in Camden, was being held in the Camden County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail.
The victim, of the 500 block of Hirsh Avenue in Runnemede, was found the night of Feb. 6 at approximately 8:33 p.m. lying next to his black Nissan Pathfinder in front of 22 Ablett Village on River Road in Camden. Moore had been fatally shot.

The investigation indicates Moore was shot in the area of 25th and High streets in Camden while attempting to drive away from that area. His vehicle continued on until coming to a stop on River Road. An Ablett Village resident called police.

The investigation indicates the shooting resulted from a dispute over a debt the defendant believed the victim owed him.

Officers arrested Hawkins without incident early Tuesday evening in the area of 25th & High streets.

Sarubbi and Allenbach commended Investigator John Greer of the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and Det. L.F. Ruiz of the Camden Police Department for their dogged efforts to solve the case and affect an arrest quickly.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.