Mount Laurel police charge man accused by neighbors of racism, intimidation

Charlie Dwyer

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ – A Mount Laurel man, accused by his neighbors of being a racist that routinely harassed them has been arrested. Police say Edward Mathews has been arrested for charged with biased intimidation. On Monday, police escorted him from his home and were assaulted by the crowd with water bottles and other objects.

Prior to the arrest, neighbors accused the Mount Laurel Police Department of improperly handling the incident and turning a blind eye.

“This was a racist incident in Mount Laurel, NJ. This POS name is Edward Cagney Matthews, he’s been harassing his Black neighbors for some time now, and ML police department refuses to do anything,” neighbors posted on Twitter.

In a video posted to social media, Mathews was seen harassing and intimidating one of his black neighbors by approaching him and refusing to leave the man’s front yard, acting in an aggressive manner.


According to police, on Friday July 2nd, at approximately 7:50 PM, a resident of the 3800 block of Gramercy Way reported that she is continually harassed by her neighbor, Edward Cagney Mathews, age 45.

“A disturbing video was widely circulated on social media showing Mathews shouting offensive and racial slurs at his neighbors. An investigation was conducted resulting in Mathews being charged with harassment and biased intimidation,” Police said. “The charges were placed on a summons by a municipal court judge to be heard at future court appearance.The Mount Laurel Police Department does not tolerate hate or bias intimidation in any form. This type of behavior is totally unacceptable. We can assure our residents that incidents like this are thoroughly investigated and that those who commit such offenses will be held accountable for their actions.”

On Monday, after a large crowd and protest assembled in front of his home, police arrested Mathews. Mathews and police officers were pelted by water bottles, drinks and other objects as they escorted the suspect out of his home.

https://twitter.com/The220Podcast/status/1412361261656981507

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