BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer
Indictments have been returned for seven of the 10 individuals who were arrested in July at the Englishtown Auction Sales, Manalapan, in connection with the sale of illegal weapons.
More than 1,100 illegal weapons were seized by Manalapan police and 10 arrests were made during the raid at the auction on Wilson Avenue.
“All of the people who were arrested didn’t go to the same prosecutor for handling,” Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Sean Brennan said. “The individual cases were broken up for administrative purposes.”
Last week the prosecutor’s office released current information concerning the legal status of those involved.
Indicted were Hans Brandenberger, 70, of Jackson, for possession of a prohibited weapon, manufacture and distribution of certain types of weapons, and possession of a stun gun, all fourth degree offenses. Brandenberger was also charged with employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime, a third degree offense.
Sam Fachler, 72, of Manalapan, was indicted for possession of a prohibited weapon, manufacture and distribution of certain types of weapons, both fourth degree offenses, and the third degree offense of employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime.
Syed H. Ali, 44, of the Iselin section of Woodbridge; Alfred Gelber, 74, of Philadelphia, Pa., Mohamed Shaukat, 47, of Jersey City, Olga Ilina, 43, of Jersey City, and Alvin L. Kruegar, 73, of Union, were each indicted on two counts of manufacture and sale of weapons, and one count each for possession of a prohibited weapon, and unlawful possession of a weapon, all fourth degree crimes.
Stanley Kaminsky, of Manalapan, who was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after he allegedly interfered with police officers at the auction on the day of the raid, is scheduled to appear in Manalapan municipal court on Oct. 26 to face charges of disorderly person/improper behavior.
No information was available regarding a 14-year-old boy from Monroe Town-ship and a 15-year-old boy from Manal-apan who were also arrested in connection with the sale of the weapons.
During a monthlong investigation which began in late June as the result of two prior incidents that occurred in Manalapan, members of the Manalapan Police Department were led to the source of weapons used in the two incidents (one stabbing and one possession of weapons). Information was gathered through the investigation that the weapons used had been purchased at the auction.
“As a result of the investigation it was discovered that vendors at the Englishtown market possessed and sold numerous prohibited weapons,” said Manalapan police Capt. Louis Moreto. “Those are the items we removed from the stands — daggers, dirks, stilettos, double-bladed knives and things of that nature. Additionally there were 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 a variety of other prohibited weapons were confiscated.”
Also confiscated in the raid were three vehicles including a 2000 Nissan Quest van, a 1999 Honda CRV and a 1987 Ford Econoline van and $2,171 in cash. At the time, the cash and other items were seized pending forfeiture proceedings.