Glen Rock September 12, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 5 A Wyckoff man has been arrested for attempting to throw a Glen Rock child in front of a train at Ramsey’s New Jersey Transit station. The child’s mother and grandmother intervened, tackling the man and holding him until police arrived. “The mother and the grandmother without a doubt acted heroically and stopped what could have been a tragic crime and I can’t say enough about them,” Ramsey Police Chief Bryan Gurney told Villadom TIMES last week. Chief Gurney noted that the suspect, 48-year-old David Howard, had been arrested by Allendale police earlier this year. Allendale Police Chief George Scherb confirmed that Howard was the same individual his department had charged with trespass for bathing in the overflow from Crestwood Lake, and with lewdness, as he was not properly dressed. Following the incident in Ramsey, Howard was charged with two counts of attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of kidnapping in the first degree, two counts of aggravated assault in the second degree, and one count of aggra- Train station arrest was man’s second this year vated assault on a police officer. Ramsey police received the 911 call at 2:25 p.m. on Sept. 3. Patrolman Thomas Banta, Lieutenant David Stitz, and Sergeant Timothy Flanagan responded to the scene and found the suspect being subdued on the ground by two women next to the Main Street station. Officers of the Ramsey Police Department were able place Howard under arrest. During the arrest, Howard spat in Patrolman Banta’s face. Officers observed that Howard may have been under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. During the investigation, it was determined that the victims were two Glen Rock boys, ages nine and seven. The victims were sitting on the bench in front of the train station waiting for the 2:20 p.m. train to Glen Rock. The boys were accompanied by their mother and grandmother. The victim’s mother said she observed Howard sitting on the bench to her left, spitting on the ground. She said he appeared to be visibly intoxicated. As the train was slowing to come into the station, the two boys stood up and moved closer to the tracks for a better view of the oncoming train. As the boys stood up, Howard reportedly stood up and started to approach them on the platform. Howard then grabbed the sevenyear-old victim in a “headlock” and the nine-year-old victim by the left shoulder and started moving them toward the train tracks while the train was still moving toward the station. The mother and grandmother immediately were able to stop Howard from moving the children toward the track. The children were able to break away, and the mother and grandmother tackled Howard and held him. “It’s a shocking incident, but we’re grateful for the quick actions of the people involved and the police department so there was no injury or tragedy,” Ramsey Mayor Christopher Botta said the day after the arrest. Bail was set by Judge Venezia at $500,000, with no 10 percent option. The suspect was remanded to the Bergen County Jail. The Ramsey Police Department, under the command of Chief Bryan Gurney, and the New Jersey Transit Police Department, under the command of Chief Christopher Trucillo, are continuing to investigate this matter. The case will be forwarded to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. The Glen Rock Public Library, located at 315 Rock Road, will offer free yoga classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Sept. 18. James Collins, a certified yoga instructor, will lead “Vinyasa Flow” yoga classes from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome. Yoga helps relieve stress, strengthen the body’s core, Free yoga classes offered improve balance, and more. Participants should wear comfortable loose clothing, and bring a mat, towel, and water bottle. It is suggested that attendees check with their doctor before beginning any exercise program. Registration has begun. Call (201) 6703970 for more information.