A Galloway Township homeowner was arrested and 51 others charged in a raid on a cockfighting ring at the man's home, police said.
A large group was found when Police Department's Humane Law Enforcement Unit entered the South Breman Avenue property with a warrant Saturday. Many tried to flee.
Officers found an elaborate cockfighting operation with a ring, spectator-style seating and numerous cockfighting "kits," police said. More than $37,000 in cash was seized.
About 50 roosters were found in crates, storage boxes and bags in and around the arena. They were all in various degrees of health. Four dogs were seized, including three who were living in an outdoor shed in what police described as inhumane conditions.
Jose Madera, 33, was arrested and charged with numerous animal cruelty offenses, along with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, destruction of evidence and resisting arrest.
He is facing 111 counts.
Madera appeared briefly in court via video Monday. He will remain in the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending a detention hearing set for Thursday.
The others charged are:
Stephanie Kanshiro, 33, of Galloway Township; Guillermo Polanco, 68, of Egg Harbor Township; Javier Santos-Gonzales, 32, Pleasantville; Berdover Diaz, 45, of Hammonton, and Juan Elias Pena-Duran, 33, Ramon Rosa Jr., 57, of Hamilton Township.
Josue Arroyo, 52; Joseph Cubi-Camacho, 26; Walter Jones, 52, and Anthony Lugo, 40 of Vineland, and Angel Ocasio, 40, of Bridgeton.
Guillermo Celada, 63; Domingo Duran-Montesino, 41; Yomery Pichardo-Perez 30; Luis Rivera-Campos 36, and Victor Rodriguez Jr., 51, of Camden.
Luiggi Jiminez-Diaz, 30; Felix Medina, 64, and Luis Roman, 62, of Trenton.
Arroyo Blanco, 40, and Rudis Perez-Perez, 46, of Perth Amboy.
Luis Fernandez-Tavarez, 36, of North Bergen; Peter Rios, 50, of Lumberton; Peter Rios Jr., 27, of Blackwood; Jonathan Palfy, 37, of Browns Mills; Irving Perez, 33, and Juan Perez, 40, of Pennsauken; and Lolitha Glenn, 51, and Jimmy Hadden, 50, of Greenwich.
Patricia Acosta, 65; Juan Carlo Carrion-Cortes, 46; Rafael Hernandez, 67; Felipe Perez, 59, and Pedro Rodriguez-Santiago 48 of Philadelphia.
Alan Rodriguez, 29, of Allentown, Pa., Bienvenido Polanco, 60, of Tappan, N.Y., and Jason Gonzalez 44, and Jose Quinones Jr. 56 of Warminster, Pa.
“We applaud Galloway Township police officers for immediately recognizing the severity of the crime scene they discovered, with 50 roosters, (some in bags), dogs kept in inhumane condition, a fighting ring with spectators and tens of thousands of dollars in cash,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “Animal fighting is cruelty to animals that is tied up with many other crimes that are dangerous and deadly to humans.”
The Galloway Township Police Department thanked Atlantic County SWAT Team, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Egg Harbor City and Hamilton Township police departments, and Galloway Township Emergency Medical Services for their assistance.
Anyone who wants to report a tip can contact the Galloway Township Police Department at 609-652-3705. You can also contact Crime Stoppers of Atlantic County www.crimestoppersatlantic.com at 609-652-1234 or anonymously text your tip to 274637(CRIMES).
