Tag Archives: Fair Haven police

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

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.

Rewind: Ode to Fair Haven Police

A look back at Fair Haven police Photo/Fair Haven Police Department
A look back at Fair Haven police
Photo/Fair Haven Police Department

In keeping with our Retro Pic of the Day homage to first responders, today we honor Fair Haven Police for their service to the community.

The above photo is a look back at the officers in the department not long ago.

Patrolman Robert J. Henne, included in this photo, passed away on March 23. He was loved by his community and colleagues and is sorely missed by both. RIP, Patrolman Henne.

And thanks to the Fair Haven police for protecting and serving the residents of Fair Haven and beyond!

Have you thanked an officer today?

Fair Haven Police Report: DWI, Fraud, Assault, Hit & Run & More

The following incidents and arrests in the month of March were reported by the Fair Haven police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• A River Road resident reported on March 3 that an unknown person had used her name to obtain and use a PayPal credit card. A fraud report was filed by Patrolman Christian Hostrup to dispute the charges.

• Jordan Rivera, 24, Red Bank was arrested on March 5 and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and received traffic citations for reckless driving and improper passing following a traffic stop.

Lt. Joseph McGovern and Sgt. Jesse Dykstra made the arrest.

• Shane Callahan, 21, of Rumson, was issued three traffic citations on March 14 after an investigation found him to be the operator of a vehicle involved in a hit and run accident in the borough.

Callahan was issued the following citations: leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident and reckless driving. S/O Brooks Robinson was the investigating officer.

• Luke Vinci, 21, of Long Branch, was arrested on March 15 and charged with simple assault stemming from a physical altercation with codefendant Shane Callahan at a Church Street address.

Vinci was processed and released pending a Fair Haven Court appearance. S/O Brooks Robinson was the arresting Officer.

• Shane Callahan, 21, of Rumson was arrested on March 15 and charged with simple assault stemming from a physical altercation with codefendant Luke Vinci at a Church Street address.

Callahan was processed and released pending a Fair Haven Court appearance. S/O Brooks Robinson was the arresting Officer.

• A Princeton Road resident reported on March 15 vandalism to her vehicle which had sustained a broken rear window. The damage was documented, nothing inside the vehicle was reported missing.

Sgt. Jesse Dykstra took the report.

• A Princeton Road resident reported on March 15 vandalism to a walkway lamp that occurred sometime during the previous evening.

Sgt. Jesse Dykstra took the report.

• A Linden Dr. resident reported on March 16 that an unknown person had filed a fraudulent tax return in his name with the I.R.S.

Patrolman Christian Hostrup took the report.

• Scott Meller, 31, of Shrewsbury, was arrested on March 20 and charged with DWI (driving while intoxicated)following a traffic stop.

Meller was also issued summonses for speeding and reckless driving. He was released pending a Fair Haven court appearance.

Patrolman William Lagrotteria was the arresting officer.

• Jessica Bellagamba, 29, of Toms River turned herself in on March 24 for an active traffic warrant out of Fair Haven in the amount of $350.

Detective Stephen Schneider was the arresting officer. Bellagamba posted full bail amount and was released.

• Nicole Shubeck, 22 , of Eatontown, was arrested on March 25 following a traffic stop for an active traffic warrant out of Shrewsbury in the amount of $240.

She was released after posting full cash bail. Patrolman Dwayne Reevey was the arresting officer.

• Jake Bevilacqua, 23, of Eatontown, was arrested on March 29 following a traffic stop for an active traffic warrant out of Woodbridge Twp in the amount of $250.

He was released after posting full cash bail. S/O Brooks Robinson was the arresting officer.

Fair Haven Police: Borough Business Burglar Nabbed, Connected to String of 30

A Freehold Borough man linked to a Fair Haven business burglary/theft has been linked to a string of more than 30 similar cases spanning Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties and is being held at Monmouth County Correctional Institution on $113,000 bail.

Isiah Casrell, 28,  was arrested along with an alleged co-conspirator, Rachael Lovely, 33, of Newark, at 1:30 a.m. on April 5 in Holmdel, police said. The two were allegedly leaving the scene of a commercial burglary there when they “were spotted and stopped on State Route 34 in the area of the border of Aberdeen Township and Marlboro Township by Marlboro Township Police Officer Johnathan Gramcko,” a release said.

The Holmdel burglary was found, by a multi-jurisdictional police task force, to allegedly be one of more than 30 that occurred in the three-county span in the past few months.

Fair Haven Police Detective Stephen Schneider, a member of the task force, said he signed specific complaints against Casrell in connection with the March 19 burglary of Distinctive Toys, 595 River Road.

As a result, Casrell was charged by Fair Haven police alone with: criminal mischief, burglary and theft of movable property. His bail on the Fair Haven charges alone was set at $30,000 with no 10 percent option, set by Judge James M. Newman, according to police.

In addition to the Fair Haven burglary/theft, Casrell, Schneider said in a release, “was responsible for committing numerous commercial burglaries in the following jurisdictions: Marlboro, Howell, Aberdeen, Colts Neck, Holmdel, Ocean Township, Plumsted Township, Old Bridge, Berkeley, Upper Freehold Township, Manalapan and Shrewsbury Borough.”

Concerning the alleged burglaries throughout the three counties committed by Casrell and Lovely, detectives from Monmouth County’s Marlboro, Howell and Holmdel Township police departments charged the two with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of burglary tools, theft, burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and criminal mischief.

 

Day is Done: Sunset for Patrolman Henne

After being posthumously promoted from Fair Haven Police Department Special Officer Class II to Patrolman at his wake on Friday night, the final radio call for Robert J. Henne, badge # 37, was made. And his new badge number was retired.

The patrolman was laid to rest on Saturday. The sunset that chilly night at the Fair Haven Dock in Henne’s hometown was as warm and serene as the smile of the officer etched in the memory of so many. RIP, Patrolman Henne.

A memorial tribute to Robert J. Henne will follow.

Nightfall: A Fair Haven in Mourning

Rest in peace, Fair Haven Police Special Officer Class II Robert J. Henne

“Our world will never be the same without him. Heaven has another angel to look over us …”  — Audrey Murphy Henne

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde

 

Fair Haven Mourns Special Police Officer Robert Henne

With few words, Fair Haven police have announced that they are in mourning over the death of Special Officer Class II Robert Henne.

The announcement came over the Facebook page of fellow officer Jeff Jarvis on Monday night, whose cover page told of  the retirement of badge number 216 — Henne’s.

“Rest in Peace Officer Robert Henne,” Jarvis’ Facebook post said. “End of watch, March 23, 2015.” He had died unexpectedly at his Fair Haven family home earlier in the day on Monday.

Henne was a 2010 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduate. He was a high school athlete and police explorer as a teen. He rose up in the ranks of the Fair Haven Police Department from explorer to Class I officer and then Class II.

Henne received his promotion to Class II distinction in December of 2012 and was lauded by officials and colleagues for his professionalism and camaraderie. He was also a Fair Haven fireman.

The flag at Fair Haven Police Department headquarters, and throughout town, is at half staff.

RIP, Officer Henne.

A tribute to Officer Henne will follow.

— Elaine Van Develde 

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

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.

 

A Winning Hoops for Hearts at Knollwood

A slam dunk success is how Fair Haven’s Knollwood School sixth graders, borough police and firefighters described the recent Hoops for Hearts basketball game at the school to benefit the American Heart Association.

“The entire school was full of energy, camaraderie was high, and everyone put their heart into this effort,” Knollwood Physical Education/Health teacher and event organizer Kim Lagrotteria said in a release. “Hoops for Hearts is an event that you will see again at Knollwood School.”

The Feb. 6 basketball tournament, comprising several games, pitted the “celebrity” police officers and firefighters against two teams of sixth graders on the court in what was dubbed a “fast-paced Championship Basketball Game,” Celebrity Kock-Out, and Half-Court Challenge, the release added.

The “celebrities” garnered the top score in the Championship game. The sixth graders won the Celebrity Knock-Out Game, which left a sixth grader as the last player left standing. And the Half-Court Challenge was one which involved the students making donations to the American Heart Association getting chances to sink basketballs.

The participants took their best shots as Lagrotteria, Andrea Mrusek of the American Heart Association, “celebrities,” and classmates cheered them on. Prizes were awarded to those who made baskets.

The “celebrities” ended up with the top score in the Championship Game, but the $7,560 netted in event proceeds, which was more than double the $3,500 donation goal, was the bigger win, Lagrotteria said.

With roughly 119 students participating, they “helped motivate one another to reach their personal fundraising and physical education participation goals,” said Lagrotteria in the release. “Students in other grades were asking how they could become a part of the event in the future, and donated money to help achieve our school’s goal.

“This event not only brought great attention to a great cause, it also brought the school together.”

Hoops for Hearts activities took place during the month of February, designated American Heart Month by the American Heart Association.

There were incentives put in place by Lagrotteria for students to meet the original $3,500 fundraising goal.

Students were awarded small rubber ducks, which they donned during the school day, in recognition of their efforts. And Lagrotteria, herself, promised to wear a duck costume if the school’s goal was met. That promise was kept (the photo above shows).

In addition to the main fundraiser, Hoops for Hearts featured activities throughout the month that were designed to promote physical fitness. Another basketball tournament featuring all of the sixth graders was held during regular Physical Education classes.

Players in the Championship Basketball Game and cheerleaders were all members of the sixth-grade Physical Education class that raised the largest amount of funds for the American Heart Association.

Cheerleaders were: Brett-Cetnar Garrett, Caroline Danaher, Bridget Mikolajczyk, Charlotte Stant, Emma Walker, Maia Werner and Kitty White.

Basketball players were: John Baker, Jack Costello, Wyatt Kemler, Aidan Kilfeather, David Livingston, Michael Strulowitz, Robby Sypeck, Jack Theodore, Spencer Torine and Drew Venancio.

Fair Haven Police Report: Theft, Assault, Identity Theft

Fair Haven police reported the following incidents and arrests for the month of January. Arrests do not constitute convictions.

Incidents

• An Oxford Avenue resident reported on Jan. 1 an identity theft with an $800 loss.

Detective Steve Schneider is investigating.

• Patrols responded on Jan. 3 to a report of a possible assault on Battin Road. Neither of the parties involved wanted to sign complaints.

Special Officer Henne took the report.

• A theft of services was reported on Jan. 4 by a River Road business.

Patrolman William Lagrotteria took the report.

• An identity theft report involving a purchase at a Bridgewater Best Buy was taken for a Dartmouth Avenue resident on Jan. 8.

Detective Steve Schneider is investigating.

• A Battin Road resident reported the theft of a watch valued at $8,000 on Jan. 12.

Sgt. Jesse Dykstra took the report. Detective Steve Schneider is investigating.

• A River Road business patron reported on Jan. 16 that his vehicle had been keyed while in the parking lot.

Patrolman William Lagrotteria took the report.

• On Jan. 26, Sgt. Jesse Dykstra took a report of an assault at a River Road business. Both parties involved were located and neither opted to sign a complaint.

• A McCarter Avenue resident on Jan. 30 reported his bicycle was missing/stolen from McCarter’s Pond.

Special Officer Brooks Robinson took the report.

Arrests

• Conor Ban,18, of Rumson, was arrested by Sgt. Jesse Dykstra on Jan. 22 on the charge of an outstanding warrant.

He was released after posting cash bail.

• Kyle Jadevaia, 22, of Rumson, was arrested by Patrolman William Lagrotteria on Jan. 30 following a traffic stop and charged with an outstanding warrant out of Belmar.

He was released after posting cash bail.

• William A. Crawford Jr., 22, of Long Branch, was arrested on Jan. 2 and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop by Special Officer Brooks Robinson.

 

Blizzard Goes Bust: Snow Angel Sabbatical?

 

Snow angels in training take time to chat and play. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Snow angels in training take time to chat and play.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

By Elaine Van Develde

The snow must go on!

That’s what was continuously predicted for the Rumson-Fair Haven area from Sunday through Tuesday morning by the National Weather Service and climatologists all over. And the preparations — in the name of the boy scout credo and post traumatic stress disorder from Hurricane Sandy — took hold.

An epic blizzard was headed down the shore, according to the experts, and people needed to protect themselves. And they did.

The Rumson-Fair Haven area snow angels and unofficial junior apprentices were poised to help in the dig-out. Store shelves emptied, flashlights were loaded with batteries, fireplaces were stocked with wood, a state of emergency was declared, roads were emptied, local emergency responders were ready and people scurried into their homes at nightfall prepared to be stuck there for days. New Jersey was, essentially, closed. Until now.

In case you haven’t heard, the blizzard threat is no more and hasn’t been since this morning. The state of things outdoors shows it, too. It’s been downgraded to a snow storm. In fact, a winter storm warning is in effect until 3 p.m. today for the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

The National Weather Service, at the height of the threat, predicted up to 33 inches of snowfall over a two-day period and wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour. The forecast now calls for a possible accumulation of 1 to 2 inches today and a northwest wind of 20 to 22 miles per hour. And then the rain may fall before midnight.

But, school’s out today and a delayed opening is scheduled for all districts in the R-FH area. And the snow angels have been busy.

Those in training took a bit of a sabbatical to play, but they’re ready.

Thanks to the angels! Any seniors or people with disabilities who need help with removal should call the police department in Fair Haven and an angel will be sent your way.