Category Archives: Rumson Police and Fire Files

All the latest police and fire news in Rumson can be found right here.

Local Life, Rumson Police and Fire Files

The Crabbiest Captain in Rumson

“It was a great time,” Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect on Monday, chatting a little about the weekend’s ninth annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament.

A local guy, he said, won. That guy — along with his boatload of crabbers — was Captain Don Schneider with a bucket full of 50 crabs.

The chief and several other crabbers were already out in crabbing waters by the time Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect arrived, but some sights were caught.

If you haven’t already seen it, check out the above slideshow of the scene around. And thanks to the Rumson PBA Facebook page for the pic of the winning crew! Congrats, Captain Schneider!

Local Life, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Getting Crabby in Rumson for the PBA

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“Good luck out there!” a man shouted as he waved to crabbers launching their boat into the water,  all set with a plethora of fishing-appropriate nets, cages and buckets.

Saturday evening was looking pretty mellow as a few more boats hit the waters of the river by the Rumson Municipal Boat Launch for the  PBA Crab Tournament.

The tournament was slated to last until 10 p.m. By about 6:30, about half an hour after the tournament’s official start, only a couple of boatfulls of crabbers could be spotted near the launch.

Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into the evening’s event and the scene around it (Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge!). The Rumson PBA has not yet reported who won. As soon as that information is shared, it will be added. 

 

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Police Report Theft, Vandalism, Fraud

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Rumson police reported the following criminal incidents for the month of July:

• Sgt. Ronald Vilardi on July 9 took a report of the theft of an I-pod valued at $199, from an East River Road resident.

• Special Officer Shannon McCurdy on July 10 took a report of vandalism to a vehicle in the area of Blackpoint Road and Rosalie Avenue. The complainant advised that the the rear window of his vehicle had been broken overnight.

• Sgt. Peter Koenig on July 16 took a report of a fraudulent tax return filed to the IRS using the personal information of a Bruce Place resident. The incident will be forwarded to the IRS fraud department.

• Patrolman Richard Torres on July 29 took a report of the theft of a set of golf clubs from the front of an Island Road home. Total loss approximately $1,500.

• Patrolman Richard Torres on July 31 took a report of vandalism to numerous mailboxes on Warren Street.

• Special Officer Michael Berger on July 31 took a report for a theft from a parked vehicle in the area of 41 Bellevue Avenue. The victim advised that his wallet and briefcase were taken from his unlocked vehicle. Subsequent use of the victim’s credit cards in Irvington were referred to the detective bureau.

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Police Report Party Arrests, Theft by Deception, Disorderly, Marijuana Possession, DUI

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The following arrests were made and reported in the month of July by Rumson police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• Patrolman Anthony Ciambrone on July 1 arrested Sayyied Rida, 36, of Red Bank, on a warrant issued by Detective Christopher Isherwood for theft by deception with a loss of $2,140.

Rida was released on bail of $2500 with a 10 percent option, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Sgt. Ronald Vilardi on July 3 arrested Michelle Waldron, 39, of Fair Haven on a contempt of court charge.

Waldron was released after posting $1000 bail, set by the Fair Haven Municipal Court.

• Patrolman Daniel Campanella and Special Officer Michael Berger arrested two juveniles on July 4 in the area of Blackpoint Road and Navesink Avenue and charged them with disorderly conduct and maintaining a nuisance, after observing approximately 100 juveniles leaving a party.

The matters were referred to the juvenile division.

• Capt. Jeff Nixon arrested Michael Gambino, 32, of Highlands on July 6 on two contempt of court warrants out of Little Silver ($216) and Tinton Falls ($751).

Gambino was released after posting full bail.

• Special Officer Grace Maggiulli arrested a male juvenile on July 9 in the area of Ridge Road and Center Street and charged him with disorderly conduct and minor in possession of alcohol.

The subject was released to a parent and referred to the juvenile division.

• Patrolman Anthony Ciambrone arrested Connor Carroll, 19, of Tappan NY on July 11 in the area of North Ward Avenue and charged him with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and disorderly conduct.

Carroll was released pending court.

• Special Officer Michael Berger arrested Jose Valentin III, 31, of Egg Harbor City on July 13 in the area of 22 West River Road for the theft of approximately $12,895 from his employer.

Valentin was released after posting $25,000 bail set by Judge Alfred D’Auria.

• Patrolman Anthony Ciambrone and Detective Christopher Isherwood arrested Phillip Sturner, 30, of Rumson, and Christopher Sutphen, 19, of Monmouth Beach, on July 17 and charged them with robbery, simple assault and theft of services.

Sturner was transported to MCCI in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Sutphen was transported to MCCI in lieu of $50,000 bail.

• Patrolman Daniel Campanella and Detective Christopher Isherwood arrested Phillip Sturner, 30, of Rumson, on July 17 and charged him with aggravated assault, simple assault, and false imprisonment stemming from an investigation of two assaults that took place at an East River Road home on July 5.

Sturner was transported to MCCI in lieu of $50,000 bail, set by Judge Honora Kilgallen J.S.C.

• Patrolman Cody Lovgren arrested Paul Seyffart Jr., 20, of South Plainfield, on July 19 and charged him with driving under the influence (DUI) after he struck a parked vehicle on Maplewood Avenue.

Seyffart was released pending court.

 

News, Rumson Police and Fire Files

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

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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

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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, Rumson Police and Fire Files

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

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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.

 

 

 

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Police Report Theft, Fraud, Vandalism

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The following criminal incidents were reported by Rumson police: 

• Sgt. Boyer took a report on June 22 of fraudulent charges on a PayPal account from a Blackpoint Road resident. Total loss of $1571.

• Patrolman Ciambrone took a report on June 22 of theft by deception from a Navesink Avenue resident. Total loss of $2140. The matter was turned over to Detective Christopher Isherwood.

• Patrolman Ciambrone took a report on June 18 of vandalism to a mailbox from a resident on North Park Avenue.

• Special Officer Maggiulli took a report on June 15 of an internet scam from an Oak Lane resident. Fraudulent checks were intercepted by the bank before a loss occurred.

• Patrolman Gaynor took a report on June 8 of credit card fraud from a Washington Avenue resident.

• Headquarters received a report on June 5 of approximately $600 worth of lawn damage on a Wardell Avenue property from an unknown vehicle.

• Sgt. Koenig took a report on June 4 of theft of services totaling $600 in unpaid wages from an employer.

• Patrolman Campanella took a report on June 3 of vandalism to mailboxes on Riverside Drive.

• Detective Christopher Isherwood took a report on June 1 of a theft of cash and goods from a business on East River Road.

• Patrolman Schneider took a report on May 8 of a fraudulent tax return filed to the IRS. Information was turned over to the IRS investigations unit.

• Patrolman Torres took a report on May 16 of the vandalism of numerous mailboxes in the area of Post Road and Brookside Drive.

• Special Officer Class II Morse took a report on May 25 of wire fraud from a Waterman Avenue resident with a loss of $1000.

• Sgt. Koenig took a report on May 26 of a fraudulent tax return filed to the IRS. Information turned over to the IRS investigations unit.

• Patrolman Torres on May 29 took a report of a hit and run motor vehicle accident in the First Street lot.

 

 

 

 

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

A Rumson Father’s Day Car Fire

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A car went up in flames at Rumson Country Club on Father’s Day; and, just about as quickly as the fire ignited, it was extinguished by first responders.

With scant details, the Rumson Police Department posted a 24-second video of the Sunday fire at about 3 p.m. and the firemen putting it out.

“Great job by The Rumson Fire Department extinguishing a vehicle fire at the Rumson Country Club,” the post said. “Happy Father’s Day from R.P.D.”

Click here to see the full video.

No further details were available as of press time. Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will add information when it becomes available.

— Photo/screenshot of Rumson Police Department Facebook page video

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.

News, Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Prosecutor: Rumson Blithewald Fire an Accident

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They weren’t able to rule out electrical malfunction as a cause of Monday’s Rumson fire, but the tri-fold investigative team has determined that, regardless, it was an accident, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Charles Webster said.

There were “energized electric circuits or equipment” in the area  of the fire’s origin, “in the area of a wall located between a guest bedroom and an en-suite bedroom, both located on the second floor” of the 19th century mansion dubbed Blithewald, a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Fire Marshal and Rumson Police Department determined, Webster said.

There were no injuries sustained from the six-hour, four-alarm blaze fought by several area fire departments at the 76 Buena Vista Avenue home owned by the Widener family.

Designers had been on site putting finishing touches on the home that was to be the centerpiece of the Visiting Nurse Association’s Stately Homes by-the-Sea Designer Show House event slated to kick off on Saturday.

 

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Fire: Rumson VNA Show House Up in Smoke

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The historic Rumson mansion known as Blithewald was all set for a Saturday Gatsby-themed gala to kick-off its month-long feature as the Visiting Nurse Association’s (VNA) fifth Stately Homes by-the-Sea Designer Show House — until a fire ravaged it.

The 19th century home to the Widener family, at 76 Buena Vista Ave., went up in flames on the upper floors and roof area at about 12:55 p.m., according to first responders at the scene.

As of 3:45 p.m., firefighters from several surrounding towns and beyond — Rumson, Fair Haven, Middletown, Red Bank, Little Silver, Sea Bright, Highlands, Atlantic Highlands, Shrewsbury and Asbury Park — were still arriving at what was still considered an active fire.

Smoke could still be seen billowing from the roof and upstairs. And firefighters were still on the scene at about 7 p.m.

There were no reported injuries, authorities said.

Fair Haven Fire Department thanked Tinton Falls Fire Co. No. 1 for covering Fair Haven while its firemen assisted at the Rumson fire.

The VNA released the following statement in the late afternoon:

Today, Blithewald, the house that designers, staff and volunteers have been preparing for the fifth edition of the Stately Homes by-the-Sea Designer Show House event to benefit VNA Health Group, caught fire and sustained heavy damage. The cause is unknown and we thankfully have heard of no injuries to anyone at this point.

We are tremendously grateful to the first responders and to our staff members and volunteers who were on the scene to respond to the emergency.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the first responders and the homeowners as they assess the damage.

Blithewald, a historic treasure from the Gilded Age, was the setting for the fifth edition of the Stately Homes by-the-Sea Designer Show House. Proceeds of tours and the Preview Gala were to benefit VNA Health Group.

We will provide updates about the Stately Homes-by-the-Sea Preview Gala that was scheduled for Saturday, April 25th and the opening of the Show House tours, which were scheduled to begin on April 28, 2015 as information becomes available.

This is a breaking news story. Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will add information as it becomes available. 

 — Elaine Van Develde