RED BANK: TRUCK USED IN RUNDOWN TRY

A 2016 photo shows the fencing at Red Rock Tap + Grill, with the outdoor gathering area at left. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Closing time turned harrowing at a Red Bank bar when an angry patron tried to run over an employee with his pickup truck early Saturday morning, according to police.

Evan Lloyd, 23, of Little Silver, crashed his vehicle through safety gates surrounding the yard of Red Rock Tap + Grill in an attempt to mow down a bar worker, Chief Darren McConnell told redbankgreen.

May 29, 2018 - 6:00 am | Comments ()

RUMSON, FAIR HAVEN: THEFT SPREE ALLEGED

A Red Bank man was indicted Friday for a spending spree financed by credit cards stolen from cars in Rumson and Fair Haven, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office said.

Carl W. Bergen, 53, of 59 William Street, broke into four vehicles in the two towns over the course of a year, beginning in May, 2014, according to the 16-count indictment.

August 24, 2015 - 9:28 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: CAR SHOW DRAWS A CROWD

071215carsho31 Beach day or not, the 13th annual Doc Holiday Classic Car Show, hosted in Red Bank’s White Street parking lot by the Liberty Hose fire company as a scholarship fundraiser, was a big draw in Sunday. redbankgreen cruised the circuit, camera at the ready. Click the “read more” and check out dozens more snapshots of gleaming grills and smiling faces. (Photos by Susan Ericson)

July 13, 2015 - 8:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: A BITTERSWEET RETURN

Sunday’s Doc Holiday Car Show in Red Bank’s White Street lot was bittersweet for the members of the host Liberty Hose fire company, who lost their century-old firehouse in a sale by the borough earlier this year. Fifty-year member Herk Forgione said the company was “very, very sad” to lose its home. But the volunteer firefighters were glad to be back for a few hours Sunday, overseeing an annual fundraising show that attracted some 280 gleaming classics and lots of families. (Photos by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

July 14, 2014 - 9:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: WALGREEN’S PLANS OPEN HOUSE

Aaron Rassas, seen at his car dealership shortly before it closed in April, wants the public to examine plans for a Walgreen’s on the site. (Click to enlarge)

By SARAH KLEPNER

Seeking to reverse a tide of opposition, the owner of the Red Bank property slated for a giant Walgreen’s pharmacy is inviting the public to come kick the tires on the plan.

Aaron Rassas, owner of the now-closed Rassas’ Buick – and before that, Pontiac – is inviting neighbors and the public in general to an open house September 10 to inspect plans for the former dealership’s one-acre lot, and to meet the developer behind them.

The parcel, at 395 Broad Street, is under contract to developer Mark Steinberg, who plans to build a 14,200-square-foot Walgreens on it.

September 5, 2013 - 2:06 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: CAR SHOW GLEAMS ON WHITE

A couple of Corvairs, a fleet of Corvettes and acres of chrome were among the 328 cars gleaming under the hot summer sun in Red Bank’s White Street parking lot Sunday. The occasion? The 11th annual Doc Holiday Classic Car Show, hosted by the Liberty Hose fire company as a scholarship fundraiser. redbankgreen was there, cameras at the ready. (Click to enlarge)

July 15, 2013 - 8:16 am | Comments ()

SHREWSBURY: THREE VEHICLES STOLEN

Activity reports, unedited, as provided by the Shrewsbury Police Department for the period of July 6 to July 12, 2013.

Report of Theft in the area of Broad Street on 7/7/13. Victim reports merchandise taken by unknown subject(s). Damages totaling $625.00 Ptl. Tracy Polk investigating.

Report of Harassment in the area of Broad Street on 7/9/13. Victim reports verbal threats made by a known subject. Ptl. Tracy Polk investigating.

Report of Theft in the area of Obre Place on 7/9/13. Victim reports bicycle taken from outdoor rack. Damages totaling $425.00. Ptl. Tracy Polk investigating. Bicycle recovered on 7/11/13.

July 15, 2013 - 6:14 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: AFTER 83 YEARS, RASSAS TO CLOSE

Aaron Rassas outside his Red Bank auto dealership. Below, the original location, at 21 Mechanic Street, in 1934. (Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Born in the Great Depression, and illuminated in recent decades by a bold ribbon of neon signage at a gateway to Red Bank, Rassas Pontiac both rode and symbolized the ever-rising fortunes of postwar America.

Round-shouldered sedans and coupes once crammed its showroom. Then muscle cars. Minivans. SUVs.

But now, the auto giants are in retrenchment. A few years back, General Motors scrapped the Pontiac line, leaving Rassas to switch over to Buick. Few car dealers can survive selling Buicks alone, said business owner Aaron Rassas: his is one of only two such shops in all of New Jersey, and 30 nationwide. But he failed in his efforts to land a second brand, as GM tries to right-size markets it considers overfranchised.

With that, and the approach of his 70th birthday, Rassas has decided to shut off the engine.

On April 26, after 83 years of selling new and used cars in Red Bank, Rassas Buick will go out of business.

April 10, 2013 - 2:30 pm | Comments ()

WHERE HAVE I SEEN THIS?

Are you familiar with the scene depicted above? Do you retain a memory of its location? Please send us an email and tell us Where you think it is.

December 13, 2012 - 7:03 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: FIAT DEALER EYES TIGHT CORNER

A vacant lot that was last home to a car rental business could be revived as a Fiat dealership, according to plans filed with the borough. (Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank may be getting a Fiat store.

Representatives of Miglo Motors have submitted plans for consideration with the borough planning office for a dealership that would include a new, 10,000-square-foot showroom at the corner of Newman Springs Road and Broad Street, opposite Dunkin’ Donuts.

November 29, 2012 - 12:14 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: ARMED ROBBERY REPORTED

The crime reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the period of October 19 and November 9, 2012. This information is unedited.

Criminal Mischief occurring on 10-20-12 at Bridge Ave. Victim reported that unknown person(s) damaged his vehicle by slashing driver side front tire and breaking mirror of vehicle. Lt. Richard Mangold.

Criminal Mischief occurring on 10-30-12 at following locations: Clifford Place, Carmen Place and West Westside Ave. Unknown subjects damaged several vehicles. Food and condiment items were thrown at parked vehicles. Ptl. Garrett Falco.

Robbery occurring on 10-31-12 in the area of Oakland Street. Victim reported that two unknown males were involved. One of the subjects approached the victim while walking home and pointed a gun at him demanding money. The other subject stood behind the first subject. The victim gave the accused his wallet, which contained cash and a debit card. Also stolen was victims cell phone. Accused fled. Lt. Eliot Ramos

November 12, 2012 - 8:27 am | Comments ()

HOODS UP AT DOC HOLIDAY CAR SHOW

More than 300 eye-catching cars, and a handful of motorcycles, shone under the summer sun on White Street in Red Bank Sunday as the Liberty Hose fire company held its tenth annual Robert ‘Doc’ Holiday Car Show.

The event is a fundraiser for annual college scholarships in the name of the late firefighter name and for the volunteer company itself. (Click to enlarge)

July 9, 2012 - 11:45 am | Comments ()

FIRE DAMAGES AUTO SHOWROOM

The Sunday morning blaze charred the facade and filled a showroom with smoke. (Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

A fire that appeared to start in mulch caused limited damaged to a Red Bank auto dealership Sunday morning.

Volunteer firefighters, responding to an alarm at Red Bank Nissan, on East Newman Springs Road, arrived shortly after 10 a.m. to find a portion of the western wall ablaze beneath metal siding panels, they said.

April 15, 2012 - 11:08 am | Comments ()

RED BANK TEEN TAKES PLEA IN AUTO DEATH

An 19-year-old Red Bank man has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide following an automobile crash in Middletown that killed a passenger in his car nearly a year ago.

Adam Sofio, no address given, faces up to 10 years in jail for “recklessly causing the death of one Middletown teen, and severely injuring another, by operating a motor vehicle at a high rate of speed while drunk,” Monnmouth County Prosecutor Peter Warshaw said in an announcement Thursday.

Warhsaw’s office will recommend a six-year term at Sofio’s sentencing, scheduled for May 18, according to the announcement.

February 16, 2012 - 1:22 pm | Comments ()

HOMICIDE CHARGED IN M’TOWN AUTO DEATH

An 18-year-old Red Bank man has been charged with vehicular homicide following an automobile crash in Middletown that killed a passenger in his car two months ago.

Adam Sofio was already facing drunk driving, speeding and other charges in the aftermath of the crash that killed Middletown’s Paul Bradley, also 18, in the early morning hours of February 27, the prosecutor’s office says in a press release issued Monday.

May 9, 2011 - 12:45 pm | Comments ()

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Serving Red Bank and Greater Red Bank, NJ

RED BANK: TRUCK USED IN RUNDOWN TRY

RUMSON, FAIR HAVEN: THEFT SPREE ALLEGED

RED BANK: CAR SHOW DRAWS A CROWD

RED BANK: A BITTERSWEET RETURN

RED BANK: WALGREEN’S PLANS OPEN HOUSE

RED BANK: CAR SHOW GLEAMS ON WHITE

SHREWSBURY: THREE VEHICLES STOLEN

RED BANK: AFTER 83 YEARS, RASSAS TO CLOSE

WHERE HAVE I SEEN THIS?

RED BANK: FIAT DEALER EYES TIGHT CORNER

RED BANK: ARMED ROBBERY REPORTED

HOODS UP AT DOC HOLIDAY CAR SHOW

FIRE DAMAGES AUTO SHOWROOM

RED BANK TEEN TAKES PLEA IN AUTO DEATH

HOMICIDE CHARGED IN M’TOWN AUTO DEATH