All posts by Elaine Van Develde

Crime, News

Alleged Drug Traffickers Admit to Heroin Dealing Conspiracy

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A press release from the Office of U.S. Attorney, Paul J. Fishman:

Two members of a large-scale drug trafficking organization Monday admitted conspiring to distribute heroin in Monmouth and Ocean counties, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Robert Ketcham, 28, of Bayville, and Kenneth Greenhow, 41, of Asbury Park, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to separate information charging them each with one count of conspiring to distribute heroin.

In March 2014, 21 alleged members of the Britt-Young DTO, a drug trafficking organization named after its leaders, Robert Britt and Rufus Young, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute heroin. Of those 21 individuals, 14 have pleaded guilty.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Between February 2013 and December 2013, Ketcham conspired with Young and others to distribute heroin in Ocean and Monmouth counties as part of the Britt-Young DTO.

From October 2013 through March 2014, Greenhow also conspired with Young and others to distribute heroin on behalf of the Britt-Young DTO. Ketcham and Greenhow were collectively responsible for distributing between 60 and 100 grams of heroin.

The narcotics conspiracy charge to which Ketcham and Greenhow pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and $1 million fine. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, Red Bank Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, with the investigation leading to Monday’s guilty pleas.

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, Police and Fire

Fair Haven Police Beat: Theft, Tax Fraud, DUI & More

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Fair Haven police reported the following April arrests and incidents. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• An Oxford Avenue resident reported on April 3 that someone had attempted to defraud them through a PayPal account.

Patrolman John Koetzner took the report.

• Janienn Dastagirzada, 32, of Red Bank, was arrested on April 9 after an active traffic warrant for her arrest was located during a call for service.

She was released after posting full cash bail. Detective Stephen Schneider made the arrest.

• Mark Maroney, 38, of the Locust section of Middletown, was arrested on April 11 and charged with driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, speeding and refusal to submit to chemical testing of his breath following a traffic stop for speeding.

Patrolman William Lagrotteria made the arrest. Maroney was released pending a court appearance at Fair Haven Municipal Court.

• A Parker Avenue resident reported the theft of a cell phone on April 13.

Patrolman Christian Hostrup took the report.

• A Spruce Drive resident on April 13 reported that an unknown person had filed a fraudulent tax return using the victim’s social security number.

Patrolman John Koetzner took the report.

• A Cambridge Avenue resident reported on April 16 that an unknown person had filed a fraudulent tax return using the victim’s social security number.

Cpl. John Waltz took the report.

• William Crawford, 22, of Long Branch, was arrested on April 17 and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) following a motor vehicle stop. Crawford also received citations for failure to maintain lane, and reckless driving.

Special Officer Brooks Robinson made the arrest. Crawford  was released pending a Fair Haven Municipal Court appearance.

• A Church Street resident reported on April 23 the theft of copper piping from his  residence’s A/C unit.

Patrolman Eric Patton took the report.

• Alan Sharpiro, 46, of Rumson, was arrested on April 26 after an active warrant was located during a traffic stop. Sharpiro was transported to headquarters where he was processed and later released after posting full cash bail.

Special Officer Brooks Robinson made the arrest.

• A Navesink Avenue resident on April 28 reported the theft of a plastic pipe from his property.

Patrolman Eric Patton took the report and is investigating.

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Fair Haven Schools Students Make Their Mark with Art

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The following is an edited press release from the Fair Haven School District:

Make Your Mark was the theme of the Fair Haven School District Art Show, featuring more than 1,000 pieces of original art.

“The art show is a great way to celebrate student talents and diverse ideas,” Knollwood School Art Teacher Kelly Fogas said. “The displayed works and items created throughout the year show the growth of artistic ability, conceptualization, and eagerness in our students.”

Students in Kindergarten through third grade at Viola L. Sickles School and in fourth through eighth grade at Knollwood School each contributed at least one project for display at the show on April 14.

This year’s show represented the district’s implementation of new standards in the Visual Arts program.

Those standards focus on essential questions to help develop both critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Fair Haven Visual Arts students are encouraged to create, present, respond, and connect their artwork to ideas that have personal meaning. This was reflected in the context of each of the displayed pieces.

Featured at the Art Show this year was a ceramics wheel and the Knollwood students’ creations from its use. The wheel was acquired as the result of a grant requested by and awarded to the Knollwood School Art Teachers by the Fair Haven Parent Teacher Association.

Also on display at the show was a variety of drawings and paintings as well as paper, wood and ceramic sculptures.

Fair Haven School District Art Teachers are: RoseAnn LaBrocca K-3, Viola L. Sickles School; Kelly Fogas grades 4 to 8, Knollwood School; and Chris Dudick, 5th and 8th grades, Knollwood School.

Art Show coordinators were Stephanie Bates and Marisa Coar.

Crime, Police and Fire

Arresting News: Assault, DWI, Disorderly

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

• Donald Laing, 32, of Red Bank, was arrested on May 6 by Patrolman Nicholas Maletto in the area of Spring Street and charged with simple assault and contempt of court.

• Rojelio Cervante-Martinez, 30, of Red Bank, was arrested on May 5 in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue and charged with simple assault and harassment by Patrolman Jorge Torres.

• Rickie Taddio, 48, of Holmdel, was arrested on May 3 in the area of White Street and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) by Patrolman George Travostino.

• Porfirio Perez-Rosas, 26, of Red Bank, was arrested on May 2 in the area of Bridge Avenue and charged with harassment by Patrolman John Camarca.

• Luis Urquizo, 47, of North Plainfield, was arrested on May 2 in the area of Mohawk Lane and charged with disorderly conduct by Patrolman Thomas Doremus.

• Kevin Mallory, 29, of Red Bank, was arrested by Patrolman Thomas Doremus on May 1 in the area of Monmouth Street on a contempt of court charge.

• Michael Stanislawczyk, 20, of Highlands, was arrested by Patrolman Matthew Ehrenreicht in the area of Coopers Bridge on May 4 on a contempt of court charge.

• Jose Chicas-Santos, 54, of Red Bank, was arrested by Patrolman John Camarca on May 1 in the area of Chestnut Street on a contempt of court charge.

• Terance Whelan, 33, of Nashville, TN was arrested May 6 on Monmouth Street on a contempt of court charge by Patrolman Sean Hauschildt.

• Jesse Butynski, 24, of Red Bank, was arrested by Patrolman Benjamin Springer on April 30 in the area of Maple Avenue on a contempt of court charge.

• Oscare Ciriaco-Molina, 27, of Red Bank, was arrested by Sgt. Juan Sardo on April 30 in the area of Monmouth Street on a contempt of court charge.

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Appreciation for RFH Social Studies Teacher Dewey Robinson

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Former RFH Social Studies teacher and coach Dewey Robinson coaching track. Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot
Former RFH Social Studies teacher and coach Dewey Robinson coaching track.
Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot

By Elaine Van Develde

He was known as a very cool dude and great teacher. He was Dewey Robinson.

He taught Social Studies at RFH and he coached.

By popular demand, Dewey Robinson is our Retro Pic of the Day in ode to deceased RFH teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Boy, was he popular — and rightly so.

The man was just so totally cool, interesting and knowledgeable and he spread that wealth of good attitude and lessons to be learned on with finesse.

He died suddenly at 58 in 2008.

I did not have the pleasure of having Dewey Robinson as a teacher or coach (because I was always way too uncoordinated to play any sport). But I do remember him well. No RFH student could miss all that coolness in one teacher.

He just had a profound look of compassion in his eyes at all times — an empathetic one. He cared and it showed. He had a real relatable demeanor. Dewey Robinson had no trouble connecting with anyone. You didn’t have to know him to know that.

The evidence was always there, in the students he taught and coached, passing a bit of himself on to them always.

Dewey’s mom, Jeanetter Crowell, died not too long ago, him having pre-deceased her, regrettably.

She, too, was remembered for her sweetness and compassion.

“What a great teacher Dewey was and there is always a strong and wonderful woman behind every great and wonderful man,” Tamera Partington Dinklage said on the Fair Haven Facebook page when the death of Dewey’s mom was announced.

RIP, Dewey Robinson. You were appreciated. Thanks for paying your coolness forward.

Obituaries

Former Rumson Beauty Salon Owner, Ella Gaynor, Dies at 87

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Longtime Rumsonite and part owner of the Rumson Beauty Salon, Ella D. Gaynor, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 4.

Having lived most of her life in Rumson, Ella was born in Oakhurst. here mom, Dorothy, owned the Sugar Bowl, a “soda pop shop” in Rumson, where Ella worked while at RFH, according to her obituary by Thompson Memorial Home.

In addition to her business connection to Rumson, Ella was a member of what was known as the Carton Town Gang, a townie group. She loved boating and bowling and earned an associate’s degree, her obituary said.

Ella was predeceased by: her parents, Roderick and Dorothy (Gebien) Dangler; her husband, William H. Gaynor Jr., in 2003; and her son, William H. Gaynor III, in 2015.

She is survived by: her daughter, Judy Cuje and her husband Doug of Rumson; her son, Robert W. Gaynor, of Rumson; her sister, Joan Shea, of Tinton Falls; her daughter-in-law, Rosemary Gaynor; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

There will be no services, as Ella wished.

— Obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home.

News

Adopt a Senior; Ride with Harley

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Yes, adoption is for seniors, too.

And Harley, a chihuahua mix currently residing at the Monmouth County SPCA, needs a loving home in which he can live out his senior years.

Harley, described as very sweet and affectionate and friendly with other dogs, needs a quiet home without kids. It takes him a little time to acclimate to new people in his life, but he does like to be held, according to his bio on the SPCA website.

He only weighs 12 pounds and doesn’t need to be walked a lot.

Check him out on film and see if he just might be the little old guy for you.

 

Police and Fire

Crime Close By: Theft & Criminal Mischief

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

• A theft was reported to have occurred sometime between April 29 and May 4 at a Riverside Avenue apartment. The victim reported jewelry — a gold ring with diamonds and amethyst and a gold bracelet — missing from a night stand.

Patrolman Cevin Albert took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief on Newman Springs Road was reported on May 4. The victim reported that someone scratched his parked vehicle on the entire length of the passenger side.

Patrolman Cevin Albert took the report.

• Theft was reported on May 6 to have occurred within the past two months at a Riverside Avenue Apartment. The victim reported that someone stole a jewelry box, containing several pieces of jewelry valued at several thousands of dollars, from a bedroom closet.

Patrolman George Travostino took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief — graffiti deployed onto a fence surrounding property — was reported to have occurred on May 6 at a Reckless Place residence.

Patrolman Nicholas Maletto took the report.

Business Buzz, Local Life

Sea Bright Farmers Market Back in Season

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By Elaine Van Develde

The Sea Bright Farmers Market is back in season and the goods are ripe for the picking.

In addition to the old favorites — Picklelicious, Fair Mountain Coffee Roasters, Harvest Moon Farm, Holly Jolly Jams, Neshanic Valley Beekeepers, Baker’s Bounty and Franklin Soapworks — there are also some small family-owned farm vendors that have joined in the second year of the outdoor locally grown, organically crafted shopping tradition in the Sea Bright Municipal Parking lot from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

Those new additions include organic goodies, like Asian produce, herbs, free-range and grass-fed meats, farm fresh cheeses and  from Green Duchess , Central Valley and Holly Hill and Harvest Moon farms. DIVE was also there offering some samples of corn and clam chowder.

Continue reading Sea Bright Farmers Market Back in Season →

Crime, Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Police Beat: Teen Party, Tax Fraud, DUI, Theft, Burglary

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The following recent criminal incidents and arrests were reported by Rumson police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

•  A Bingham Avenue resident reported on April 9 a fraudulent tax return filed with her personal information.

The incident will be forwarded to the I.R.S. fraud department.

Sgt. Koenig took the report.

• A Lafayette Street resident reported on April 12 that his vehicle was vandalized by numerous eggs being thrown at it sometime during the night.

Patrolman Bryan Dougherty took the report.

• A West River Road resident reported on April 14 that there was a burglary at their home. Bicycles and surfboards were removed from the garage.

Patrolman Gaynor took the report.

•  A Rumson Road resident reported on April 16 that a fraudulent tax return had been filed with her personal information. The incident will be forwarded to the I.R.S. fraud department.

Patrolman Lovgren took the report.

• A Little Silver resident reported on April 16 that her purse was stolen from her vehicle while at Meadowridge Park. A credit card was subsequently used at a store in Middletown.

Detective Christopher Isherwood investigated.

• Lea Brantly, 30, of Rumson, was arrested on April 18 on Hartshorne Lane and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) by Patrolman Campanella.

Brantly was released pending a municipal court date.

• A Bingham Hill Circle resident reported a burglary at her home. Entry was gained by breaking a door window. The resident reported jewelry missing.

Sgt. Koenig and Special Officer Leahy took the report. The incident was referred to the detectives.

• A Mays Landing resident reported on April 21 that his cement mixer was stolen from a construction site on Shrewsbury Avenue.

Patrolman Schneider took the report.

• Carl Bergen, 53, of Red Bank, was arrested on April 21 at headquarters on charges of numerous counts of burglary, theft and credit card fraud by Detective Christopher Isherwood.

Bergen was released pending court.

• Headquarters received a report on April 25 of a large party at a Clover Lane address with possible underage alcohol consumption. Patrolmen Fenn and Dougherty responded and were assisted by officers from Sea Bright, Fair Haven and Little Silver.

Patrolman Bryan Dougherty took the report.

Contempt of court

• Paul Dougherty, 50, of Belmar, was arrested April 3 on West River Road on a contempt of court charge by Ptl. Lovgren.

Dougherty was released to Belmar Police.
• Victoria Hayes, 41, of Union Beach, was arrested April 6 on Bingham Avenue on a contempt of court charge by Special Officer Berger.

Hayes was released after posting $350 bail.

• Trevor Eyerkuss, 25, of Little Silver, was arrested on April 20 at headquarters on a contempt of court charge by Special Officer Morse.

Eyerkuss was released after posting $300 bail.

 

* Contempt of court arrests with a bail of less than $200 have not been included.

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Getting Festive with Forrestdale Follies

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The following is a press release from the Rumson School District:

From soulful ballads by talented vocalists and stirring performances by accomplished pianists, to comedy and dance extravaganzas and even a hard rock performance, there was something for everyone at the Forrestdale Follies talent show.

Presented by the Rumson Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), the Follies took place on the evening of April 16 in the school’s auditorium. Proceeds benefited the Rumson PTO.

Continue reading Getting Festive with Forrestdale Follies →