Long Branch Police Praised For Investigation Into Local Gang

LONG BRANCH, NJ — The work of law enforcement is often behind the scenes, and most officers get very little public recognition, much less credit, for the risks they take.

The 200 Club of Monmouth County seeks to change that, as last Friday the club honored the men and women of local police, fire and EMS departments.

Here are some of the stories of local law enforcement in the past year:

Long Branch Police officers:
Det. Sgt. Richard O'Brien
Sgt. Kevin Romano
Det. David Stone
Det. Joseph Pannullo
Det. Conor Mullan (Monmouth County Prosecutor's team)

The Long Branch Police Department's Special Investigation Unit proactively launched an investigation into the 93-Headbusters Bloods Street Gang, known for extensive violent activity and shootings in Long Branch in the past 15 years.

Surveillance focused on a gang leader’s home on Rockwell Avenue, a meeting spot for criminal planning and recruitment, including of juveniles.

Supported by FBI surveillance technology and informants, the unit executed search warrants, arresting four gang members and seizing firearms, drugs and a vehicle. Efforts intensified with the post-prison release of a known gang leader, culminating in additional arrests and parole violation charges. These actions significantly disrupted the gang’s operations, highlighting the dedication and effectiveness of the investigation unit, whose work warrants recognition.

Long Branch Police officers:

Christian DeFazio
Mathew Sanchez
Victor Vargas-Cruz
Brandon Winston
Devon Slavin

On September 30, 2023, after a patron at the Nip-N-Tuck Bar threatened to “light this place up” and displayed his New Jersey firearms permit, alarmed staff contacted the Long Branch Police.

Officer Sanchez responded swiftly, gathering the suspect’s details and vehicle information, which he shared with his team. Officer Christian DeFazio, spotting the suspect’s vehicle returning to the bar, conducted a traffic stop and discovered a rifle with a chambered round inside.

The suspect was safely detained with the help of officers Victor Vargas Cruz, Brandon Winston and Devon Slavin.

"Thanks to their coordinated efforts, especially Officer DeFazio’s proactive measures, a potentially dangerous situation was defused without incident," said the 200 Club.

But it was not just police who were honored by the 200 Club:

Long Branch firefighters:
Lieutenant Timothy Green
Firefighter Mark Garced
Firefighter Nick Saffioti
Firefighter Kenneth Banach, Jr.
Firefighter Christopher Fazio

On May 28, 2023, at 3:54 a.m., the department was dispatched to a severe motor vehicle accident at Cottage Place and 2nd Avenue. The scene included an overturned vehicle, multiple ejections and another car crashed into a telephone pole.

Two children needed CPR, one with a broken femur, another with head trauma, and about four others with various injuries, amidst a chaotic backdrop of 30+ bystanders. Lt. Griffin took command, stabilized the scene, and called for more EMS resources. Firefighters Garced, Saffioti, Banach and Fazio immediately administered CPR and cared for the other victims.
"Their prompt and professional actions significantly mitigated the potential severity of the incident. Their efforts are a testament to their skill and dedication to the fire service," said the 200 Club.

Long Branch firefighter David Phillips

On the evening of February 27, 2023 Long Branch firefighter David Phillips, saved a six-day-old infant’s life. Around 10:40 p.m., Phillips and his team were alerted by a family outside their firehouse, desperately seeking help for their non-breathing newborn daughter.

Phillips, the fire department’s CPR trainer, quickly administered life-saving back blows to the infant, who soon began to breathe again.

Both the baby and her mother, who was recovering from a recent C-section, were rushed to Monmouth Medical Center and stabilized without any lasting health issues. On March 10, the grateful family returned to thank Phillips, emphasizing the emotional impact of his heroic actions. Phillips credited his training to make such a critical difference. Read that story and see his photo: Long Branch Firefighter Saves Life Of 6-Day-Old Infant Not Breathing