BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer
More than 1,100 illegal weapons were seized by police and 10 people were arrested in a raid at the Englishtown Auction Sales, Route 527, on Saturday.
"The case was started as a result of two incidents with juveniles that occurred in town, one stabbing and one possession of weapons at the middle school," said Manalapan police Sgt. Michael Fountain. "Information was gathered through the investigation that the weapons used were purchased at the auction."
Fountain said police followed the trail to the auction.
"We went out to canvass the area and observed illegal weapons being sold to minors," he said. "As a result of that canvassing, we put the case together."
Capt. Louis Moreto said police conducted a four-week investigation into the sale of weapons to minors.
"As a result of the investigation it was discovered that vendors at the Englishtown market possessed and sold numerous prohibited weapons," Moreto said. "The statute specifically lists items that are prohibited. Those are the items we removed from the stands: daggers, dirks, stilettos, double-bladed knives and things of that nature. We did not take regular steak knives and folding knives. They are perfectly legitimate. The only time they come into question is if they are used for an unlawful purpose."
Police also confiscated brass knuckles, switchblades, bear claws, sling shots, billy clubs, butterfly or gravity knives, maces [a wooden or metal stick with a chain attached and a metal studded ball attached to the chain] and other prohibited weapons.
After weeks of surveillance and undercover purchases of prohibited weapons, several search warrants were obtained for various vehicles and vendor booths at the auction, according to police.
"Two of the search warrants were executed on July 17 at the auction and five separate locations were raided at the auction," Moreto said. "The rest of the search warrants, which involved vehicles, will be executed this week."
Moreto said the vehicles in question have been seized by the police department and forfeiture proceedings will be instituted for the vehicles once the search warrants have been executed. The three vehicles that were seized were a 2000 Nissan Quest van, a 1999 Honda CRV and a 1987 Ford Econoline van.
Police also seized $2,171 in cash. The cash and other money have been seized pending forfeiture proceedings.
The following individuals were arrested:
• Alfred Gelber, 74, Philadelphia, Pa. Bail was set at $2,500. Gelber was remanded to the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township.
• Hans Brandenberger, 70, Jackson. Bail was set at $3,000. Brandenberger was remanded to the Monmouth County jail.
• A 14-year-old male who resides in Monroe Township. He was released to his parents.
• Syed H. Ali, 44, Iselin section of Woodbridge. Ali was released on $1,500 bail.
• Mohamed Shaukat, 47, Jersey City. Bail set at $1,500. Shaukat was remanded to the Monmouth County jail.
• Olga Ilina, 43, Jersey City. Bail was set at $1,500. Ilina was remanded to the Monmouth County jail.
• Alvin L. Kruegar, 73, Union. Bail was set at $1,500. Kruegar was remanded to the Monmouth County jail.
• Sam Fachler, 72, Manalapan. Bail was set for Fachler at $1,500. He was released.
• A 15-year-old male from Manalapan. He was released to the custody of his parents.
All of the above individuals were charged with possession of prohibited weapons, unlawful possession of a weapon, and transport and sale or distribution of weapons.
In addition to those charges, Brandenberger was also charged with possession of a stun gun.
During the course of the raid Stanley Kaminsky of Manalapan was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Police said Kaminsky interfered with officers at the auction and was being disorderly. Police said that after Kaminsky was arrested he complained of chest pains and was transported to CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. He was released later that day.
The investigation was initiated by Fountain and Patrolman Charles Mazzatto. The warrants were executed by the Manalapan Police Department with the assistance of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department.
In acknowledging that weapons are sold in the township, Moreto said, "We want parents to realize what is out there, whether it is at the Englishtown Auction, the Collingwood Auction or elsewhere."
He said people should realize that knives can be as dangerous, if not more so, than guns at certain times.
Moreto said the investigation is continuing.