Category Archives: Police and Fire

Find all the area police and fire news here.

Rumson: Bus Driver Veers Out of Storm-Wrought Electrical Wire Trouble

July 30, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

As the wind whipped up quickly and the downpour soaked the Rumson-Fair Haven area on Thursday afternoon, a bus headed toward Sea Bright got caught up in it all, causing a strange accident resulting in an electrical outage, Rumson police reported.

However, no one was hurt and the lights are back on, authorities said on the Rumson Police Department Facebook page.

During the brief storm, a falling tree branch hit and “severed a high voltage utility wire in the area of West River Road and Bellevue Avenue.

“The wire became entangled in the side mirror of a passing NJ Transit bus. Quick thinking by the driver of the bus kept her and the passengers safe.”

What the driver did, police did not say, but they did report that no one was injured in the incident and West River Road was closed between Bellevue and Popomora Drive while the wire was fixed. A few residences went without electricity for while the repairs were being done.

— Photos and released information/Rumson Police Department

News, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Getting Crabby with Rumson Police

July 30, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

If you like crabbing and want to contribute to a cause, the Ninth Annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament may be the event for you.

The event, which involves a crabbing tournament from 6 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 15 costs $65 per boat and proceeds benefit Monmouth County Ducks Unlimited for Wetlands Conservation and Hunters Helping Heroes.

First, second and third place awards will be given for the most crabs caught and a grand prize will be awarded for the largest crab.

There are two more days to sign up, according to a Rumson Police Department post on Facebook. And, t-shirts and sweatshirts are for sale as well.

Call the Rumson Police Department to register or click here for more information.

Police and Fire

Police Report Marijuana Possession, Dealing, Heroin Arrests & More

July 28, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent arrests were made and reported by Red Bank police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• Mackenzie Killeen, 23, and Samatha Lupino, 24, both of Middletown, were arrested on July 23 in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue for and charged with possession of a CDS (heroin) and possession of a hypodermic syringe by Patrolman Shane Dengel.

• Jahvon Wells-Bailey, 27, of Keansburg, was arrested on July 16 in the area of River Street and charged with possession of a CDS (under 50 grams of marijuana), possession of a CDS with intent to distribute and possession of a CDS within 1,500 feet of a park or public housing by Patrolman Nicholas Maletto.

• Devin Dimartini, 19, of Lincroft, was arrested on July 20 in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana by Patrolman Jorge Torres.

Continue reading Police Report Marijuana Possession, Dealing, Heroin Arrests & More →

Crime, Police and Fire

Police: Criminal Mischief & Theft Close By

July 27, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent criminal incidents were reported by Red Bank police:

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred on July 16 in a Monmouth Street parking lot. Someone cracked the windshield on a parked vehicle.

Patrolman Matthew Ehrenreich took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred sometime between July 17 and 19 on Tilton Avenue. The victim reported that an unknown person (or people) smashed the windshield on a parked truck.

Patrolman Shane Dengel took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred sometime between June 17 and 19 in a Monmouth Street parking lot. The victim reported that an unknown person (or people) smashed both the front and rear windshield of a parked vehicle.

Patrolman Cevin Albert took the report.

• A theft was reported to have occurred on Maple Avenue on July 20. The victim reported that he placed his Samsung cell phone in a locker at the guy and when he went to retrieve it, it was missing.

Lt. Robert Kennedy took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred sometime between July 19 and 20 in a Locust Avenue parking lot. The victim reported that someone slashed all four tires on a parked vehicle.

Sgt. David Hicks took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred sometime between July 13 and 22 at the Red Bank Charter School on Oakland Street. There were reports of several tennis balls, that had been set on fire and burned, being found on the property. A square of concrete on the basketball court was also damaged by the burned tennis balls.

Patrolman Cevin Albert took the report.

Police and Fire

Police: Several Arrested on Contempt Charges

July 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent arrests were made and reported by Middletown police:

• James Cook, 53, of North Washington Avenue in Wilkes Barre, PA, was arrested on July 14 by Patrolman Christopher Dee on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was released after posting $1,000 bail.

• Paul Blouin, 55, of Beach Street in Rockaway, NY, was arrested on July 15 by Patrolman Ryan Riffert on contempt of court warrants issued by the Middletown, Northfield, Bass River, Sayreville and Wall municipal courts.

He was held on $5,502 bail.

• Candace Read, 35, of Railroad Avenue in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on July 15 by Detective Keith Hirschbein on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court.

She was held on $501 bail.

• Patrick Weinheimer, 32, of Mary Mind Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on July 15 by Detective Daniel Sullivan on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court.

He was held on $501 bail.

• Teresa Fennell, 52, of Grand Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on July 15 by Patrolman Christian Clark on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $500 bail.

• Thomas Schnoor, 19, of Glenmary Avenue in the Leonardo section of Middletown, was arrested on July 15 by Detective Daniel Sullivan on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was held on $1,000 bail.

• Chad Hacker, 41, of Day Avenue in Middletown, was arrested on July 15 by Patrolman Michael Heaton on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Howell Municipal Court.

He was released after posting $500 bail.

• Paige Coward, 53, of Latham Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on July 16 by Patrolman Raymond Sofield on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $500 bail.

• Timothy Kitson, 42, of Van Gelder Street in Tamaqua, PA, was arrested on July 16 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on contempt of court warrants issued by the Woodbridge, Union Beach, Newark and Holmdel municipal courts.

He was held on $6,850 bail.

• Nickya Sanchez-Williams, 37, of Center Avenue in Keansburg, was arrested on July 17 by Patrolman Scott Davis on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $250 bail.

• Kristina Bufano, 52, of Cherry Tree Lane in Middletown, was arrested on July 17 by Patrolman Scott Davis on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Marlboro Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $350 bail.

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, Local Life

Fair Haven Wins Third Place in County Fair Hose & Ladder Competition

July 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven Fire Department won third place in the 2015 Monmouth County Fair Hose & Ladder Competition Photo/FHFD Facebook photo — Fair Haven Fire Department won third place in the 2015 Monmouth County Fair Hose & Ladder Competition
Photo/FHFD Facebook photo

Making sure they first recognized first-place winning Shrewsbury Hose Co. No. 1, Fair Haven Fire Department announced on Facebook Wednesday night that it came in third in the Monmouth County Fair Hose & Ladder Competition.

It looks like, according to another posted photo, there were 13 companies from the county competing.

Fair Haven’s combined time was 32:06 — 20:00 first round and 12.06 second.

Congrats Fair Haven firefighters!

— Photo/Fair Haven Fire Department, Facebook page

Crime, Police and Fire

Police Report Arrests on Drugs, Theft, Burglary, Leaving Scene of Fatal Accident

July 21, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent arrests were made and reported by Middletown police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• Brian Kavanagh, 49, of Swimming River Road in Colts Neck, was arrested on July 14 by Patrolman Ryan Riffert and charged with disorderly conduct.

He was released pending a court date.

• On July 15, Patrolman Nicholas Haines arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile from Red Bank and charged him with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was released pending a court date.

• On July 15, Patrolman Nicholas Haines arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile from Red Bank and charged him with possession of Psilocybin mushrooms.

He was released pending a court date.

Continue reading Police Report Arrests on Drugs, Theft, Burglary, Leaving Scene of Fatal Accident →

Police and Fire

Police: Arrests on DWI, Marijuana, Burglary, Assault Charges & More

July 21, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent arrests were made and reported by Red Bank police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• Mario Sciacca, 35, of Red Bank, was arrested on July 16 in the area of Bergen Place and charged with burglary and theft by Patrolman Kristin Altimari.

• Osiel Gomez-Garcias, 27, of Red Bank, was arrested on July 12 in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue and charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct by Patrolman Nicholas Maletto.
Continue reading Police: Arrests on DWI, Marijuana, Burglary, Assault Charges & More →

Crime, Police and Fire

Crime Close By: Police Report Rash of Business Burglaries

July 21, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following criminal recent incidents were reported by Red Bank police.

• A theft was reported to have occurred on July 10 at a North Bridge Avenue parking lot. The victim reported that someone stole her purse, containing paperwork, sunglasses, a charger and more, from a parked car.

Patrolman Kristin Altimari took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred on July 10 at a Mechanic Street parking lot. Juveniles were observed lighting a fire cracker on the trunk of a parked vehicle, causing damage to it.

Patrolman David Smith took the report.

• A theft was reported to have occurred at a Leroy Place residence on July 11. The victim reported that a Play Station and cash was stolen from their apartment.

Patrolman Kristin Altimari took the report.

• A robbery was reported to have occurred on July 14 in the area of River Street and Tilton Avenue. A cab driver reported that an unknown male passenger pulled a gun on him and demanded all his money. The driver reported that he turned over $86 in cash and the perpetrator fled.

Patrolman Ashon Lovick took the report.

• An attempted burglary was reported to have occurred at a West Bergen Place business between July 14 and 15. An unknown perpetrator reportedly tried to gain access into a building. The window was broken ad the door had pry marks on it. No entry was gained.

Lt. Robert Clayton investigated.

• A burglary was reported to have occurred sometime between July 14 and 15 at a Newman Springs Road business. An unknown perpetrator broke the glass door in, gained entry and stole cash from the register.

Patrolman Sean Hauschildt, Lt. Eliot Ramos and Inv. Heather Pubylski responded.

• A burglary was reported to have occurred sometime between July 14 and 15 at an East Newman Springs Road restaurant. An unknown perpetrator(s) gained entry into the restaurant by smashing glass in the front door. Once inside, the register drawer was pulled open and cash stolen.

Patrolman Sean Hauschildt, Inv. Heather Pubylski and Lt. Eliot Ramos responded.

• A burglary was reported to have occurred sometime between July 14 and 15 at a Maple Avenue business. An unknown perpetrator(s) pried front door to business open and gained entry. Three desks were damaged and broken into and a large amount of cash was stolen.

Patrolman Nicholas Maletto and Sgt. Wendy Samis responded.

• A burglary was reported to have occurred sometime between July 14 and 15 at a Newman Springs Road business. The perpetrator(s) gained entry into the business by forcing the front door open. Once inside, the register was removed and cash was stolen.

Patrolman Kristin Altimari and Sgt. Joey Fields responded.

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Police: Rumson Man Jailed Over Two July Assaults, Robbery

July 20, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The robbery and assault of a cab driver in Rumson early Friday morning ended in a Rumson man being held in jail over that and another alleged assault incident earlier in the month on a total of $150,000 bail, Rumson police said on Monday.

Phillip Sturner, 30, of Rumson, was arrested and charged with second-degree robbery, simple assault (DP), and theft of services (DP) for the July 17 incident.

He was also charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and false imprisonment in stemming from a July 5 incident that had been under investigation in which he allegedly assaulted two victims at his residence.

Bail was set, by Judge Honora Kilgallen J.S.C., at $50,000 for the July 17 incident and $100,000 for the July 5 incident, police reported.

In connection with the July 17 incident, another alleged perpetrator in the assault and robbery of the cabbie, Christopher Sutphen, 19, of Monmouth Beach, was arrested and charged with second-degree robbery, simple assault (DP) and theft of services (DP), police said.

Sutphen was also held in Monmouth Correctional Institution in lieu of $50,000 bail, set by Judge Honora Kilgallen J.S.C.

Police responded to the July 17 incident when at 3:08 a.m. they were dispatched to the area of Church and First Street “for a report of a fight in the street,” police said.

Upon arrival, police found two men with injuries — a cab driver and Sturner. EMS was called to the scene to treat the injured. In the meantime, a witness at the scene reported that another alleged perpetrator, who turned out to be identified as Sutphen, had fled.

Sutphen was found by an assisting unit of Little Silver police in the area of 15 First Street.

The cab driver — victim — was treated at Riverview Medical Center and released.

An investigation by Patrolman Anthony Ciambrone and Detective Christopher Isherwood determined that Sutphen was the alleged perpetrator of another assault incident on July 5.

That incident was reported to have occurred after a 1:30 a.m. 9-1-1 hang-up call was made to Monmouth County dispatch, which handles area emergency calls, sending Rumson Police Patrolman Daniel Campanella and Special Officer Class II to the area of East River Road and Carton Street, where they found a man in his vehicle having sustained severe facial injuries, Detective Christopher Isherwood said.

Further investigation by Isherwood and Campanella revealed that the victim found at the scene and another had allegedly been assaulted by Sturner at his residence.

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, Police and Fire

Fair Haven Police Report Marijuana Possession, DWI Arrests & Incidents

July 20, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following June arrests and incidents were reported by Fair Haven police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• A Ridge Road resident reported on June 4 that several hundred dollars were stolen from his vehicle.

Patrolman Dwayne Reevey took the theft report.

• Jeffrey S. Kowal Jr., 19, of Red Bank, was arrested on June 7 following a traffic stop and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphilia, underage possession of alcohol and weapons possession (knife) by Special Officer Class II Brooks Robinson.

Kowal was released pending a court appearance at Fair Haven Municipal Court.

• Zoilo J. Gonzalez III, 26, of Shrewsbury, was arrested on June 7 following a traffic stop and charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, speeding and failure to produce a driver’s license by Special Officer Class II Brooks Robinson.

Gonzalez was released pending an appearance at Fair Haven Municipal Court.

• A Fair Haven Road resident reported on June 9 that an unknown subject attempted to have a credit card opened under a fraudulent name using the victim’s address.

Detective Stephen Schneider took the report.

• Peter Delamos, 76, of Fair Haven was stopped on June 19 for a traffic violation and found to have and outstanding traffic warrant out of Ocean Township.

He was transported to headquarters were bail was paid in full before his release. Special Officer Class II Brooks Robinson was the arresting officer.

• Conor Murphy, 23, of Belford, was arrested on June 19 following a traffic stop and charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana by Patrolman Dwayne Reevey.

Murphy was later released pending a Fair Haven Municipal Court appearance.

• A Clay Street resident reported on June 25 that an unknown subject stole a bicycle out of her driveway the previous evening.

Sgt. Jesse Dykstra took the theft report.

• A Park Lane resident reported on June 30 that his personal bank accounts had several fraudulent withdrawals by an unknown person.

Patrolman John Koetzner took the report.

Police and Fire

SUV Takes a Dive into the River in Rumson

July 18, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

From Rumson police …

Today at 1:01 p.m., Lt. Christopher York and Officer Michael Berger were dispatched to the Rumson Municipal Boat Ramp for a vehicle that was completely submerged in water.

The driver of the vehicle informed the officers that while he was attempting to launch his boat, at the Municipal Boat Ramp, his vehicle shifted into gear and drove into the water with the boat and trailer attached.

The vehicle was not occupied, while this occurred, and no one was injured.

The Rumson Police Department was assisted by Sgt. Boyd and Trp I Espinoza of the New Jersey State Police Marine Bureau along with Hennessey’s Towing and Tow Boat of Atlantic Highlands.

— Photos/courtesy of Rumson police via Facebook