Manchester Police Use Fitness for Team Building, Force Readiness

MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The Manchester Township Police Department recently launched its inaugural Voluntary Physical Fitness Test, encouraging officers to demonstrate their commitment to physical well-being through friendly competition. The event, held on the Manchester Township High School campus, featured a series of challenges, including push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and a one-mile run.

Approximately one-third of the department’s officers took part in the fitness test, which aims to promote personal health and strengthen the sense of camaraderie within the force. The initiative was developed by Detective Adam Emmons and has been praised by department leadership.

“Maintaining a high level of physical fitness is a cornerstone of the law enforcement profession,” said Chief Antonio Ellis. “I’m proud of each officer who participated in the inaugural Fitness Test and am excited to see it grow in the years to come.”

Patrolman Brendan Brush earned the top score in the competition, while Detective Patrick Cervenak, Patrolman Lorenzo Jorge, and Patrolman Conner Maliff tied for second place. Sergeant Charles Gatnarek secured third place.

The department expressed its gratitude to the Manchester Township School District for providing the venue and congratulated all participating officers for their dedication to physical fitness.

HANOVER, Md. — Authorities are investigating a strong-arm robbery that occurred at a Hanover business on Sunday afternoon, where four male suspects assaulted an employee and stole items from the store.

The incident took place at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Aug. 18 at the Cigar and Smoke shop. According to police, four suspects entered the store and began stealing merchandise. During the theft, one of the suspects assaulted an employee before all four fled the scene.

Officers were alerted to the theft complaint later that day, and an investigation is now underway.

Police are continuing to search for the suspects and are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

GLEN BURNIE, Md. — A Baltimore man was arrested early Sunday morning after a traffic stop in Glen Burnie led to the discovery of a substantial quantity of drugs, according to local police.

Northern District officers conducted the traffic stop at approximately 12:40 a.m. on Aug. 18 near the intersection of Greenway SE and 1st Avenue. During the stop, officers developed probable cause to search the driver and the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle revealed 21 individual containers of suspected crack cocaine, a clear plastic bag containing additional suspected crack cocaine, and 26 capsules filled with suspected heroin. The driver, identified as 54-year-old John Leroy Wrotten of Baltimore, was taken into custody.

Wrotten was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the arrest. He faces charges related to possession with intent to distribute.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to authorities.