Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, Police and Fire

Fair Haven Police Beat: Fugitive from Justice Arrested, $100K Bail

March 16, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Fair Haven police reported the following incidents and arrests for the month of February. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

Arrests

• Sheikh Bilal, 50, of Jersey City, was arrested on Feb. 10 following a motor vehicle stop when an active full extradition warrant out of Louisiana was found to be on file.

The Louisiana warrant was based on charges that included two felony counts of worthless checks. Bilal was charged with being a fugitive from justice.

The arrest was made by Special Officer Brooks Robinson. Bail was set at $100,000 with no 10 percent option.

Bilal was transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold to await extradition to Louisiana to face his previous charges (according to the warrant).

• Garry Vandemark II, 32, of Atlantic Highlands was arrested following a motor vehicle stop on Feb. 6 and charged with driving while suspended, unlawful possession of a weapon and obstruction by Special Officer Brooks Robinson.

He was released pending a Fair Haven court appearance.

• Ryan Marchese, of Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 28 following a traffic stop on an active warrant out of Middletown for his arrest.

He was released after posting bail. Special Officer Brooks Robinson made the arrest.

Incidents

• A Linden Drive resident reported on Feb. 6 that someone had filed a fraudulent 2014 tax return in his name.

Patrolman John Koetzner is investigating.

• A River Road business reported on Feb. 9 that someone had broken a window in the front of her store.

Cpl. John Waltz took the criminal mischief report.

• A Gillespie Avenue resident reported on Feb. 11 that they had video surveillance of an unknown male trespassing on their property.

Detective Stephen Schneider investigated and identified the trespasser as a juvenile.

The case has been forwarded to Juvenile Officer Patrolman William Lagrotteria for review.

• A Highland Avenue resident reported on Feb. 16 that someone attempted to file a fraudulent tax return in her name.

Detective Stephen Schneider took the report and is investigating.

• An Oxford Avenue resident reported on Feb. 24 that there were fraudulent charges on her debit card.

Patrolman Dwayne Reevey took the report and is investigating.

Local Life, News

St. George’s-by-the-River Goes to the Dogs … and a Hamster

March 16, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

You could say that the Saturday’s pet-friendly church service at Rumson’s St. George’s-by-the River Episcopal Church was a howling — perhaps hamster-ease squeaking — success.

Continue reading →

Crime, Police and Fire

Crime, Arrests Close By: Theft, Heroin Possession & More

March 15, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following arrests and incident reports were recently reported by the Red Bank police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

Incident

• An alleged Jan. 31 theft at the Red Bank Train Station was reported on March 8. The victim told police that on Jan. 31, while exiting the train, he left his backpack, containing a mini iPad, a MacBook Pro computer, computer charger and adapter and clothing. The victim said that he had initially notified NJ Transit, but nothing was ever recovered.

Lt. Robert Kennedy took the report.

Arrests

• Rahsaan Riddick, 21, of Long Branch, was arrested by Patrolman Benjamin Springer on March 10 in the area of Catherine Street and charged with resisting arrest, obstructing the administration of the law and disorderly conduct.

• Jeffrey Bogart, 40, of Red Bank, was arrested by Patrolman Sean Hauschildt on March 8 in the area of Monmouth Street and charged with: possession of heroin, a controlled dangerous substance (CDS); possession of drug paraphernalia; and resisting arrest.

• Andrew Fitzpatrick, 23, of Shrewsbury, was arrested by Sgt. David Hicks on March 8 in the area of W. Bergen Place and charged with: driving while intoxicated (DWI); possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), under 50 grams of marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Local Life

Going Retro with Fair Haven’s Chum & Bette Chandler

Image March 13, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Fair Haven’s Chum and Bette Chandler on their wedding day Photo/courtesy of Carol Chandler-West

Today and tomorrow are the days Fair Havenites are spending saying goodbye to lifetime resident Chum Chandler, who was also a 65-year member of the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Company.

So, we felt it only fitting to honor Chum and his wife Bette, who predeceased him in 1996, in today’s Retro Pic of the Day.

The two were married on Sept. 25, 1955, daughter Carol Chandler-West said in a Facebook post.

“I was blessed with two special parents, and for giving me a wonderful life,” she said. “God Bless!!!”

RIP, Chum and Bette Chandler.

News

Got a ‘Furever’ Home for Gertie?

Aside March 13, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Gertie at the Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade — Gertie at the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Every week, on Fridays, Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will now feature pets up for adoption at the Monmouth County SPCA, many fostered by area residents.

This week the featured four-legged friend looking for a “furever” home is Gertie.

This gal was a marcher in the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade last Sunday, shown off by her SPCA volunteer, Rumson resident Lisa Palasciano.

To find out more about Gertie or any other pets up for adoption, contact the SPCA at 732-542-0040 and/or click here.

Arts & Entertainment, Local Life

R-FH Area Weekend: Church-Going Pets, Chum Chandler & Godspell

March 13, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The upcoming weekend in the Rumson-Fair Haven area is all about pets getting religion, a goodbye to a community icon and some classic musical theater entertainment.

Starting on Friday night …

• It’s show time for an old favorite musical Godspell, a production by Monmouth Players at the old Navesink Library, the longtime community theater company’s home base.

Curtain is 8:15 p.m. this evening as well as Saturday and March 20.
There are Sunday matinees this weekend, on March 15, and on March 22 at 2 p.m.

Click here for more information.

On Saturday …

• It’s time for a sad goodbye, yet joyous celebration of the life of lifetime Fair Havenite Chum Chandler.

All are welcome to attend this celebration of the community icon and 65-year member of the Fair Haven Fire Department on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Fair Haven Firehouse on River Road.

Click here for Chum’s obituary.

• And at 5 p.m., St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church at 7 Lincoln Avenue in Rumson is holding its first pet-friendly, hour-long service.

All are invited to bring their pets to church. Dogs must be leashed and all other animals must be contained.

The service kicks off a new monthly tradition at the church.

Click here for more information.

Let us know if we’ve left anything out (at evd@rfhretro.com) and have a happy, healthy weekend, all! See you around the towns!

Police and Fire

Police: Several Arrested on Contempt of Court Charges

March 13, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent arrests on contempt of court charges were reported by Red Bank police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• James Stevens, 51, of Red Bank, was arrested in the area of Central Avenue by Patrolman Sean Hauschildt on March 11 and charged with contempt of court.

• Keith Maxie, 31, of Tinton Falls, was arrested in the area of Shrewsbury Avenue on March 11 and charged with contempt of court by Sgt. Beau Broadley .

• Anthony Aponte, 21, of Red Bank, was arrested on March 10 in the area of Leighton Avenue and charged with contempt of court by Patrolman Ashon Lovick.

Continue reading Police: Several Arrested on Contempt of Court Charges →

Local Life

Going Retro with Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Emcee

Image March 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

JoAnn Pileggi a couple of years ago heading toward the Fair Haven dock. Photo/Elaine Van Develde — JoAnn Pileggi a couple of years ago heading toward the Fair Haven dock.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

The third annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade was Sunday. And there were many familiar faces marching and on the grandstand.

One, in particular, on the grandstand for all three years of the new parade tradition, was emcee JoAnn Pileggi.

Pileggi, a TV journalist for NYC’s Fox 5 News and FOX 29philly, is a Fair Haven resident who is married to RFH grad T.J. Foderaro, a longtime journalist who comes from a long line of journalists.

A couple of years ago, this photo of Pileggi was taken as the Fair Haven resident was headed to a concert on the Fair Haven Dock with her children.

Do you know JoAnn?

From the Meeting Room, News

Subdivision Deemed Good Fit for Longtime Fair Haven Church Property

March 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

By Elaine Van Develde

Before long, Fair Haven’s Church Street will no longer be true to its namesake.

The borough’s Planning Board unanimously approved a three-home subdivision — of one 3,000- and two 2,000-square-feet, roof-porched homes with garages and decks — on the .54-acre parcel of land at the corner of River Road and Church Street, which long into the borough’s history has housed the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion.

The subdivision takes up “890-square-feet less than what (currently) exists,” said Elizabeth Waterbury, the planner who testified for the applicant, Rumson-based Kolarsick Builders Inc., at Wednesday night’s Planning Board meeting. “We’re staying within FAR (floor-area ratio) we’re staying within maximum habitable (space) … looking to create a conforming subdivision.”

Continue reading Subdivision Deemed Good Fit for Longtime Fair Haven Church Property →

Business Buzz

Fate of Former Fair Haven Sunoco?

March 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

It’s official. Fair Haven is down to one gas station in town.

As locals have long speculated what will replace the nearly three-year shuttered former Fair Haven Sunoco at the corner of River Road and Cedar Avenue, equipment has been digging into the tarred lot, fenced-in lot and officials have only confirmed that it will not be re-purposed as another gas station.

In fact, they said at Monday night’s Borough Council meeting, all the excavation by EV Banta Co., of East Orange, is about the “decommission of the (gas) tanks” on the site. That’s all.

No plans for anything to be built at the site have yet been submitted to the Planning Board.

Yet, because of the permits acquired for the decommissioning, it is clear to officials that “there is no intention to keep it as a gas station,” Fair Haven Administrator Theresa Casagrande said.

Zoned for business use, no one offered any more information about what may be unofficially planned by a lessee or new owner. For a couple of years a “For Lease” sign was hung on one of the building’s bays.

The site long housed a gas station under management at different intervals. In its last life, it was Rich’s Ultra Sunoco. Rich’s could no longer afford the lease, Mayor Ben Lucarelli had said. Before that, it was Duckworth’s Sunoco. And that list of gas stations on the plat of land goes back a long time.

The only remaining gas station in the 1.4-square-mile borough will now be the Valero a few blocks away on River Road, formerly Ray Miller’s Exxon and Esso at one point.

Years back, there were yet another three, besides Valero and Sunoco, gas stations in town: another on the opposite corner from Sunoco, at Cedar and Hance roads; one sat on the corner of Gillespie Avenue and River Road, where a veterinarian’s office now sits; another was on the corner of Fair Haven and River roads, where Balderose Fine Foods now sits; and yet another was where the Foreign Cars of Monmouth is anchored.

Between Rumson and Fair Haven, dating back a couple of decades, there were 12 gas stations — six in Rumson and six in Fair Haven.

Local Life

Retro Hanging on a Fire Truck

Image March 11, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Bill Van Develde rides a Fair Haven fire truck circa early 1970s. Photo/Van Develde family — Bill Van Develde rides a Fair Haven fire truck circa early 1970s.
Photo/Van Develde family

In light of the pending purchase of a new fire truck for the Fair Haven Fire Department, our Retro Pic of the Day offers a look back at an oldie.

New transport rules mandate that firemen can no longer ride hanging on the the back or sides of a truck.

But, there was a lot of that, like an indelible stereotypical snapshot, back in the day. Times have changed, but the dedication of the local volunteer firefighter, from generation to generation, has not.

In this photo, circa early 1970s, the guys are rolling out for a parade. They are in the back of the firehouse in their dress uniforms.

The guy hanging on the outside of the truck is none other than this editor’s dad, Bill Van Develde, a life member of the fire company and former captain of the Fair Haven Fire Police.

Did you know that the rules for riding on the outside of a fire truck had changed? Who’s inside the cab? And which truck is this? The Mack?

Police and Fire

Arresting News: Man Who Went Missing Had Warrant for Contempt

March 11, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent arrests on contempt of court warrants were reported by Middletown police.

• Damon Dowd, 38, of South Everest Avenue in Brick, was arrested on Feb. 24 by Patrolman Jason Caruso on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was held on $1,057 bail.

• Caitlyn Hewitt, 26, of Kanes Lane in Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 24 by Detective Daniel Sullivan on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

She was released on her own recognizance.

• Frankie Terracciano, 43, of Moran Place in Keansburg, was arrested on Feb. 25 by Patrolman Brian McGrogan on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was released after posting $2,000 bail.

• Anthony Tassello, 55, of Four Winds Drive in Middletown — the man who went missing on Feb. 16 and was found safe in Florida on Feb. 19 — was arrested on Feb. 25 by Detective Keith Hirschbein on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Highland Park Municipal Court.

He was released after posting $500 bail.

• Zully Rosario, 27, of Washington Avenue in the Leonardo section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 27 by Patrolman Savvas Roumeliotis on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $250 bail.

• Gregory Tognan, 23, of Wedgewood Circle in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on March 1 by Lt. Ernest Volkland on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was released after posting $250 bail.

• Joseph Dacruz, 48, of Austin Avenue in Point Pleasant, was arrested on March 2 by Patrolman William Rodewald on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was held on $407 bail.

• Tiffanilee Czaplicki, 32, of Krueger Place in Middletown, was arrested on March 2 by Patrolman Raymond Sofield on contempt of court warrants issued by Middletown and Keansburg municipal courts.

She was released after posting $1,294 bail.

• Connor Murphy, 23, of Campbell Avenue in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on March 4 by Patrolman Thomas Hughes on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Atlantic City Municipal Court.

He was released after posting $500 bail.

• Michel Serieye, 82, of New York Avenue in Union City, was arrested on March 4 by Patrolman Michael Heaton on contempt of court warrants issued by the Union City Municipal Court.

He was released after posting $1,500 bail.

• Nicole Fowler, 22, of Hillview Drive in Neptune, was arrested on March 3 by Patrolman Joshua Midose on contempt of court warrants issued by the Neptune and Millstone municipal courts.

She was released after posting $791 bail.

• Matthew Tiso, 27, of Avenue C in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, was arrested on March 3 by Patrolman Carl Roth on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was released after posting $1,000 bail.

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