By: Erin Haskell
Vineland- Three men were arrested and charged with the beating and robbery of an elderly Vineland couple last Tuesday.
Heraldo Cordova Ramirez, 44 and Luis Torres, 59, both of Vineland, and Victor Torres, 46, of Bridgeton were charged with two counts of first-degree armed robbery, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, one count of second-degree conspiracy and two related weapons offenses.
Said Captain Rudy Beu of the Criminal Division, “The men are being held on $500,000 bail. No 10 percent and no property bond.”
According to the incident report, the robbery took place on Yelkca Avenue in Vineland at 11:36 p.m. on June 18. The 911 call came in from a neighbor who reported to the police that there were two tall black males wearing masks, wearing black, and their faces were covered.
Victims William and Ledy Ocasio were returning home from work the night of June 18 when two men jumped out and attacked them in their driveway.
Police have been searching for suspects to the robbery for three months and offered a reward to anyone willing to step forward with the suspect’s identities. Authorities have declined to comment on whether the reward was given after the arrests were made.
“Seven thousand five hundred dollars was donated for the reward,” said Beu. “But I can’t tell you if that money was utilized or if someone came forward because of it.”
Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae announced the arrests to the public at a news conference held out front of police headquarters.
Said Webb-McRae in an email interview, the arrests were made by “a cooperative investigation between the Vineland Police and Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.”
The suspects had an arraignment on September 23. The next court date for the suspects will be a bail motion whose date has not yet been set.
With the suspects still in jail, the Vineland community is relieved to have suspects in custody on the case.
“ I think the public is relieved because the assault on the elderly couple shocked the community,” said Webb-McRae.
“The Hispanic community was upset about the robbery and it put a lot of pressure on the (police) department,” said Beu. “It’s (arrests) a relief on the community because everyone is more at ease. It’s a good thing for everyone involved.”
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Delsea Drive-in Provides Nostalgic Entertainment
By: Erin Haskell
Vineland- What happened to the days when movie theaters were meant to be outside, and people watched them from the quiet and comfort of their own cars?
It seems that drive-ins are making a comeback, but there is still only one currently operating in New Jersey: the Delsea Drive-in found in nearby Vineland.
New Jersey was home to the first drive-in movie theater,which was invented by Richard Hollingshead in 1928. He performed experiments in his driveway in Camden to test out screen durability and ways to park cars so that everyone could have a clear view of the screen. Hollingshead had the idea patented and opened the first drive-in theatre on Crescent Boulevard in Camden on June 6, 1933. The idea took off, and drive-ins became a popular source of entertainment in the 1950s.
The Delsea Drive-in was built in 1949 by the Budco chain, which was later bought by AMC in the 1970s. In 1987, AMC closed the drive-in due to lack of business. The theater remained dormant for 17 years until November 2003, when investors purchased the property for $1.8 million with an Urban Enterprise Zone loan guarantee.
“The lot was overgrown and the original concession stand was burnt and missing its roof because of the homeless people that had been living there,” said Dr. John DeLeonardis, pediatrician and owner of the Delsea Drive-in. ”We needed to remodel (the concession stand) and by putting a roof on it we could have a longer season.”
The Delsea Drive-in was originally purchased in order to build a skate park for the community, but that project was put on hold when it was discovered that the 120-foot screen was in good condition.
“I was looking for a place to build a skate park because kids aren’t active anymore,” DeLeonardis said. “However, that project has been pushed back six years due to the government Urban Enterprise Zone funds setback. Now the drive-in is carrying its own weight.”
In July 2004, the Delsea Drive-in opened its gates for the first time in years, screening “The Bourne Supremacy” and “Anchorman.”
“It was busy right out of the gate, but a lot of people don’t know about the drive-in,” DeLeonardis said. “The nostalgia of old times gets the customers in once, but it’s the extensive menu that keeps them coming back.”
The Delsea Drive-in’s menu has something for everybody, from movie-themed subs like the Horror Sub, made with roast beef and provolone cheese, to pizza and milkshakes. The most recent creation is the Minion Shake made with bananas, marshmallows and whipped cream. It is named for the little yellow minions in the film “Despicable Me.” Outside food is allowed with the purchase of a $7 food permit.
“I’d rather people bring nothing in because you get the most bang for your buck at our concession stand, and it’s the profit from it that keeps us in business,” DeLeonardis said. “Most of the profits from the movie tickets don’t go to us; they go to the movie studios, so it works out for everyone to come to the concession stand.”
Ticket prices range from $8 for adults, $3 for kids ages 3 and up, and kids 2 years and younger are free. Tickets are sold by screens and not by individual movies. Each screen plays two movies each night.
Even with low ticket prices, the Delsea Drive-in has witnessed people trying to sneak in without paying.
“A woman tried to sneak her kids into the theater by hiding them in her trunk,” DeLeonardis said. “I asked her to leave because it sends a wrong message to the kids. This has happened before, but this story was in the paper.”
Thursday nights at the Delsea Drive-in are College Nights, where college students can receive discounts on concession items with a valid school ID.
“I heard about ‘thirsty Thursdays’ on college campuses and it’s not very productive,” DeLeonardis said. “This way, college students can go to a movie with their friends instead of going out and drinking. The kids who don’t want to drink won’t feel ostracized.”
The Delsea Drive-in is open from March to December, Thursday through Saturday. The box office opens at 6:30 p.m. and the first movie usually starts around 7:30 p.m.
On Oct. 2, 2010, the Delsea Drive-in will be having an independent film festival where independent films will be shown in addition to the regularly scheduled movies, including such films as “Racing Dreams” and “The Extra Man.” For more information you can go to their website at www.delseadrive-in.com, or friend them on Facebook under Delsea Drive-in.
The Whit Online
Vineland- What happened to the days when movie theaters were meant to be outside, and people watched them from the quiet and comfort of their own cars?
It seems that drive-ins are making a comeback, but there is still only one currently operating in New Jersey: the Delsea Drive-in found in nearby Vineland.
New Jersey was home to the first drive-in movie theater,which was invented by Richard Hollingshead in 1928. He performed experiments in his driveway in Camden to test out screen durability and ways to park cars so that everyone could have a clear view of the screen. Hollingshead had the idea patented and opened the first drive-in theatre on Crescent Boulevard in Camden on June 6, 1933. The idea took off, and drive-ins became a popular source of entertainment in the 1950s.
The Delsea Drive-in was built in 1949 by the Budco chain, which was later bought by AMC in the 1970s. In 1987, AMC closed the drive-in due to lack of business. The theater remained dormant for 17 years until November 2003, when investors purchased the property for $1.8 million with an Urban Enterprise Zone loan guarantee.
“The lot was overgrown and the original concession stand was burnt and missing its roof because of the homeless people that had been living there,” said Dr. John DeLeonardis, pediatrician and owner of the Delsea Drive-in. ”We needed to remodel (the concession stand) and by putting a roof on it we could have a longer season.”
The Delsea Drive-in was originally purchased in order to build a skate park for the community, but that project was put on hold when it was discovered that the 120-foot screen was in good condition.
“I was looking for a place to build a skate park because kids aren’t active anymore,” DeLeonardis said. “However, that project has been pushed back six years due to the government Urban Enterprise Zone funds setback. Now the drive-in is carrying its own weight.”
In July 2004, the Delsea Drive-in opened its gates for the first time in years, screening “The Bourne Supremacy” and “Anchorman.”
“It was busy right out of the gate, but a lot of people don’t know about the drive-in,” DeLeonardis said. “The nostalgia of old times gets the customers in once, but it’s the extensive menu that keeps them coming back.”
The Delsea Drive-in’s menu has something for everybody, from movie-themed subs like the Horror Sub, made with roast beef and provolone cheese, to pizza and milkshakes. The most recent creation is the Minion Shake made with bananas, marshmallows and whipped cream. It is named for the little yellow minions in the film “Despicable Me.” Outside food is allowed with the purchase of a $7 food permit.
“I’d rather people bring nothing in because you get the most bang for your buck at our concession stand, and it’s the profit from it that keeps us in business,” DeLeonardis said. “Most of the profits from the movie tickets don’t go to us; they go to the movie studios, so it works out for everyone to come to the concession stand.”
Ticket prices range from $8 for adults, $3 for kids ages 3 and up, and kids 2 years and younger are free. Tickets are sold by screens and not by individual movies. Each screen plays two movies each night.
Even with low ticket prices, the Delsea Drive-in has witnessed people trying to sneak in without paying.
“A woman tried to sneak her kids into the theater by hiding them in her trunk,” DeLeonardis said. “I asked her to leave because it sends a wrong message to the kids. This has happened before, but this story was in the paper.”
Thursday nights at the Delsea Drive-in are College Nights, where college students can receive discounts on concession items with a valid school ID.
“I heard about ‘thirsty Thursdays’ on college campuses and it’s not very productive,” DeLeonardis said. “This way, college students can go to a movie with their friends instead of going out and drinking. The kids who don’t want to drink won’t feel ostracized.”
The Delsea Drive-in is open from March to December, Thursday through Saturday. The box office opens at 6:30 p.m. and the first movie usually starts around 7:30 p.m.
On Oct. 2, 2010, the Delsea Drive-in will be having an independent film festival where independent films will be shown in addition to the regularly scheduled movies, including such films as “Racing Dreams” and “The Extra Man.” For more information you can go to their website at www.delseadrive-in.com, or friend them on Facebook under Delsea Drive-in.
The Whit Online
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Firefighters Encourage Fire Prevention in Vineland
By: Erin Haskell
Vineland- Requests have been pouring into the Vineland Fire Department from schools and community groups around the city hoping local firefighters will come out and educate the public about fire safety for National Fire Prevention Month in October.
According to Lieutenant Tony Saltar, Head of the Public Education Unit on Fire Prevention, “ Fire prevention month seems to turn into fire prevention months because we get so many requests around this time. As of right now we are booked from October to the end of November.”
Most of the fire prevention program requests come from schools around the area seeking to educate children of all ages about the importance of fire safety. The Fire Department offers a variety of activities and curriculums for students from pre-school ages to fourth grade that go with each grade level.
“We developed a program with a DVD series called Rainbow Valley and incorporated activities that allow the kids to learn something totally different about the Fire Department each year,” said Saltar. “This way they will learn about what firefighters do, what is an emergency, and what each type of tool is, at their own level.”
With money donated through grants and local companies in the Vineland area, the Fire Department has been able to offer new technological advances in fire prevention such as fire extinguisher simulators and a $10,000 robotic mascot known as “Sparky the Fire Dog.” The Fire extinguisher simulator allows the public to squirt laser extinguishers at a flat screen which puts out a “fire” simulated on the screen from 12 feet away.
“We decided to go with this (fire extinguisher simulator) because it’s less hazardous,” said Saltar. “It allows us to go around to local businesses such as the South Jersey Regional Medical Center and train the staff on proper fire extinguisher usage.”
The Vineland Fire Department attends a great number of city events each year including the events of Home Depot, Cumberland Mall, The Arts and Crafts Show, Senior Day, SPCA, and with various shows for local churches, downtown events, and the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.
According to Fire Marshal Michael Cifaloglio, “We do a lot of public education events each year but it’s getting harder because the budget took a hit last year. We do the best we can.”
One of the main goals of the Fire Department is to make sure that everyone has a working smoke detector installed in their house. They often give out free smoke detectors to families in need, budget permitting.
“With a fire call we test everything before we leave the premises such as if the smoke detectors are working,” said Saltar. “It’s part of our job and it gives us a better chance of saving somebody or their house. Life is number one and property is number two.”
A lot of people do not have working smoke detectors in their homes because they can’t afford it or don’t know when it’s broken. In order to ensure that your smoke detector is working, you must press the test button located on the front of your system which will make a loud beep, ensuring that your smoke detector is in good condition. Batteries for smoke detectors should be changed at least once a year.
“Smoke detectors are very important,” said Cifaloglio. “I wouldn’t sleep in my house without them.”
The Vineland Fire Department teaches on average 6,000 children through schools and 6,000 citizens through community events. With numerous programs for younger children the Fire Department hopes to reach out to the high school levels in the future.
“A lot of kids at this grade level are graduating and going into college and they’re not educated on what could happen,” said Saltar. “The fire prevention team for the city is trying to establish a way that we can start from grades 8 and up and have a day of fire education for them.”
Vineland- Requests have been pouring into the Vineland Fire Department from schools and community groups around the city hoping local firefighters will come out and educate the public about fire safety for National Fire Prevention Month in October.
According to Lieutenant Tony Saltar, Head of the Public Education Unit on Fire Prevention, “ Fire prevention month seems to turn into fire prevention months because we get so many requests around this time. As of right now we are booked from October to the end of November.”
Most of the fire prevention program requests come from schools around the area seeking to educate children of all ages about the importance of fire safety. The Fire Department offers a variety of activities and curriculums for students from pre-school ages to fourth grade that go with each grade level.
“We developed a program with a DVD series called Rainbow Valley and incorporated activities that allow the kids to learn something totally different about the Fire Department each year,” said Saltar. “This way they will learn about what firefighters do, what is an emergency, and what each type of tool is, at their own level.”
With money donated through grants and local companies in the Vineland area, the Fire Department has been able to offer new technological advances in fire prevention such as fire extinguisher simulators and a $10,000 robotic mascot known as “Sparky the Fire Dog.” The Fire extinguisher simulator allows the public to squirt laser extinguishers at a flat screen which puts out a “fire” simulated on the screen from 12 feet away.
“We decided to go with this (fire extinguisher simulator) because it’s less hazardous,” said Saltar. “It allows us to go around to local businesses such as the South Jersey Regional Medical Center and train the staff on proper fire extinguisher usage.”
The Vineland Fire Department attends a great number of city events each year including the events of Home Depot, Cumberland Mall, The Arts and Crafts Show, Senior Day, SPCA, and with various shows for local churches, downtown events, and the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.
According to Fire Marshal Michael Cifaloglio, “We do a lot of public education events each year but it’s getting harder because the budget took a hit last year. We do the best we can.”
One of the main goals of the Fire Department is to make sure that everyone has a working smoke detector installed in their house. They often give out free smoke detectors to families in need, budget permitting.
“With a fire call we test everything before we leave the premises such as if the smoke detectors are working,” said Saltar. “It’s part of our job and it gives us a better chance of saving somebody or their house. Life is number one and property is number two.”
A lot of people do not have working smoke detectors in their homes because they can’t afford it or don’t know when it’s broken. In order to ensure that your smoke detector is working, you must press the test button located on the front of your system which will make a loud beep, ensuring that your smoke detector is in good condition. Batteries for smoke detectors should be changed at least once a year.
“Smoke detectors are very important,” said Cifaloglio. “I wouldn’t sleep in my house without them.”
The Vineland Fire Department teaches on average 6,000 children through schools and 6,000 citizens through community events. With numerous programs for younger children the Fire Department hopes to reach out to the high school levels in the future.
“A lot of kids at this grade level are graduating and going into college and they’re not educated on what could happen,” said Saltar. “The fire prevention team for the city is trying to establish a way that we can start from grades 8 and up and have a day of fire education for them.”
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Unique Hairstyling Salon Burglary in Vineland
By: Erin Haskell
Vineland- Two thousand seven hundred dollars worth of hair care products were stolen from the Unique Hairstyling Salon in Vineland last week located on 19 S. West Avenue. The salon was broken into sometime between Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10 between the hours of 6:30 pm and 9:25 am.
According to the case report, a call to the police was made at 9:29 am Friday morning from the owner of the Salon, Yvette Cruz, 40, from Mays Landing, New Jersey, who reported the break-in. Police noted that the burglar or burglars entered through a side window by forced entry after attempting to gain access through a sliding door.
Twenty five hundred dollars worth of shampoos, conditioners, hair coloring, and various other hair care product were stolen from the business along with a $200 blow-dryer. The items have not been recovered.
When asked for an interview, the owner of the salon refused to comment on the subject.
The investigation is pending and no arrests have been made.
According to Lieutenant John McMahon, “This is a fresh investigation and we cannot release any information for fear of jeopardizing the investigation. We have no suspects and no leads.”
When asked if the information would be released anytime soon, McMahon replied, “It just depends on the investigation.”
The Unique Hairstyling Salon is positioned a block off the main road in Vineland. It’s surrounded by a short fence that houses the salon’s parking lot and is pushed up against trees.
There were no eyewitnesses to the crime and if arrested, suspects will face one count of burglary by entering structure and one count theft by unlawful taking or disposition.
Vineland- Two thousand seven hundred dollars worth of hair care products were stolen from the Unique Hairstyling Salon in Vineland last week located on 19 S. West Avenue. The salon was broken into sometime between Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10 between the hours of 6:30 pm and 9:25 am.
According to the case report, a call to the police was made at 9:29 am Friday morning from the owner of the Salon, Yvette Cruz, 40, from Mays Landing, New Jersey, who reported the break-in. Police noted that the burglar or burglars entered through a side window by forced entry after attempting to gain access through a sliding door.
Twenty five hundred dollars worth of shampoos, conditioners, hair coloring, and various other hair care product were stolen from the business along with a $200 blow-dryer. The items have not been recovered.
When asked for an interview, the owner of the salon refused to comment on the subject.
The investigation is pending and no arrests have been made.
According to Lieutenant John McMahon, “This is a fresh investigation and we cannot release any information for fear of jeopardizing the investigation. We have no suspects and no leads.”
When asked if the information would be released anytime soon, McMahon replied, “It just depends on the investigation.”
The Unique Hairstyling Salon is positioned a block off the main road in Vineland. It’s surrounded by a short fence that houses the salon’s parking lot and is pushed up against trees.
There were no eyewitnesses to the crime and if arrested, suspects will face one count of burglary by entering structure and one count theft by unlawful taking or disposition.
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