Arrests close down Fireman’s Fair carnival
By: John Patten
Manville resident Jonathan Osbun, 22, was charged with possession of a rifle and possession of drug paraphrenalia by Hillsborough Police Friday, after an investigation into complaints of drugs and weapons at the Hillsborough Fireman’s Fair.
Mr. Osbun’s bail was set at $7,500.
Mr. Osbun was among 14 people working at the event arrested on a variety of drug and weapons charges in the investigation.
The Fair was closed by the Hillsborough Fire Co. #2 and the township Health Department as a result of the arrests of the carnival workers and a number of health violations. The Prosecutor’s Office said all of the health violations were attributed to workers with Tolve Presentations, operators of the carnival equipment, and none of the locally operated booths.
According to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, Hillsborough police, working with the Prosecutor’s Office and the Somerset County Narcotics Task Force, processed six Superior Court search warrants following an investigation initiated after complaints were made to authorities.
During the searches, police discovered and seized cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphrenalia, a.38-cal. handgun and a sawed-off .22-cal. rifle.
Police also filed the following charges in connection with the investigation:
Gregory Ivanoff, 46, of Lyndhurst was charged with possession of a handgun, possession of hollow-point bullets, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphrenalia. Mr. Ivanhoff is being held with bail set at $25,000.
Valerie Ellen Wrobleski, 36, of Edison faces charges for possession of a handgun and possession of hollow-point bullets. She is being held at Somerset County Jail on $7,500 bail.
Anthony Lamont Blackshear, 32, of North Carolina was charged with possession of a rifle and possession of drug paraphrenalia. Bail was set at $7,500 for Mr. Blackshear, also.
John Muller, 41, of Homestead, Fla., was charged with possession of cocaine, a controlled dangerous substance. Bail was set at $7,500.
Vincent Zonak, 32, Newark, possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute. Bail set at $7,500.
Richard John Howard, 37, Newark; Edward McGor, 33, Lyndhurst; Jose Ammecca Negron, 23, Bivilla Ba, Puerto Rico; and Karen Melina Bruce, 32, of Salsbury, N.C., were all charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphrenalia.
Robert Steve Johnson, 36, Newbern, N.C., was charged with possession of drug paraphrenalia, and Michael Lorron Nickel, 35, address unknown, was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana.
Police also took Alan Louis Saville, 39, of Seattle into custody on a charge in Maryland of auto theft.
Police also charged Eric Elijah Storm, 23, of Cochise, Ariz., with receiving a stolen vehicle. He is being held on $10,000 bail. Mr. Storm was charged earlier Friday after Hillsborough police observed him driving in the vehicle with an unidentified juvenile female.