A Washout for Shore
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Russo anti-drug push called ploy to find Agnellino killers By MAM MAGYAR at the scene o( the murder, and Russo apparently was son of local drug dealers coming into Long Branch antic* Spa. Long Branch No one has been charged in amacction Halta—si OsrTesM»>eil Patsy Truglia was involved because he told Agnelbno's headquarters to ask the police for protection with his murder TRENTON - Anthony "Little Pussy" Ruuo'i short- brother he bad received permiMkm to murder Truglia in The crackdown ended abruptly when police arrested Eight reputed New Jersey mobsters, including M- lived campaign against Mnamouth Couaty drug dealers retaliation for the Agnellino killing two of Russo's closest associates, James Vilo MOB ymar-old New Jersey mob chieftain Ruggiero Richie the was part of an overall effort to Meottfy those raapoasibie "But he wasn't sure he had everybody, and he felt the temarano of Long Branch and Patrick J Pluto, Russo's Boot" Boiardo and two of Russo's closest Long Branch tor the December, 1*77 murder of Ms friend, Joccph drug dealers, who all had street people working for them, former chauffeur, who later turned stale informer associates. Montemarano and Louis "Killer Louie" Per Agndlino, according to state law enforremtnt sources could find out who else was involved if they wanted to Agnellino, owner of the Surf Lounge, a Long Branch rah of Elberon. were arrested Thursday on varicw crimi- In January, 1978, Ruuo received permission from his Russo decided to give them incentive to cooperate by restaurant frequented by Russo and other reputed nal charges, including belonging to a criminal conspiracy superiors within the organization known u 'This Thing Of hurting their business until they did," the source said mobsters, was murdered Dec II, \m known as "This Thing Of Ours." Ours," to "rid the Monmouth County area of drug dealers DeMarzo. Ocean Township, was arrested at the murder All eight had posted bail by Friday and were released State law enforcement sources did not discount the by taking their money and throwing away their drugs," scene, and later pleaded guilty to murdering Agnellino. Their trial will begin in Freehold Jury 16. according to possibility that Rutso had other motives for cracking down according to a state grand jury indictment banded up last DeMarzo was found hanged in his jail cell at Trenton State Superior Court Judge Merrill Lane Jr., Monmouth County on the drug dealers, including retaliation for AgnelUno's week Prison Dec. II, lt», almost a year to the day after assignment judge. murder and-or to gain a cut of the dealers' profits, but "Russo decided to squeeze the drug dealers because he Agnetlino s death Prison officials ruled DeMarzo's death a The joint state-federal probe of mob activities, which insisted that his primary purpose was to learn the identi- felt if he squeezed hard enough, he could obtain informa suicide. centered on Russo, made extensive use of electronic ties of all those involved in the Agndlino slaying. lion on the Agnellino killing," a state source explained Russo, reputed Monmouth County mob boss, was surveillance equipment Conversations between Russo and "VincenfDeMarzo. a known drug addict, was arrested The Russo crackdown resulted in the unusual situation murdered April 26 in his apartment at the Harbor Island See Russo, page 1 The Daily Register VOL.101 NO. 287 SHREWSBURY, N.J. TUESDAY, MAY 29,1979 15 CENTS The Holiday: A washout for Shore Monmouth County residents, faced with low supplies of both The Long Branch Amusement Pier started off the weekend warm weather and gasoline, spent a quiet weekend honoring with big crowds, but that slowed down some during rains late the nation's wartime dead. yesterday, according to city authorities. Sporadic rain, which sometimes came in downpours, and Parades were scheduled throughout the county for yester- cool weather, kept most persons off the county's beaches, but day morning, but most managed to avoid the afternoon down- not away from boating on local waterways or from wagering at pours that drenched many would-be picnickers the county's two racetracks. Some of the highlights of Memorial Day observances in- Most area residents marked the holiday with traditional cluded a ceremony at the gravesite of a revolutionary-era parades, memorial services and picnics, although many of the soldier in Colts Neck: a pair of roadraces in Keyport, along picnics were driven indoors by yesterday afternoon's rain. with a flea market and a concert; a parade in Rumson that Local veterans and civic groups eulogized the nation's one combined to observe Memorial Day and the 100th Anniversary million wartime dead during dozens of services and parades of that borough's Oceanic Hook and Ladder Co ; and a host of throughout the county. other services and parades sponsored and organized by veter- It was i very special dsy for Fort Monmouth. whose ans groups such as the American Legion and the Veterans of soldiers spread out to many towns to help residents observe the Foreign Wars Memorial Day holiday. At the fort itself, the occasion was Around the state, nine persons died in traffic accidents, and marked by a 21-gun salute to servicemen who have died in war. two New Jerseyans drowned, during the long weekend. Yesterday's torrential rains caused some traffic problems Shortages of sunshine and gasoline kept many would-be on area roads, but they cleared as the squalls passed over. travelers close to home during the holiday and highway traffic Traffic throughout the county was reported to be lighter than was reported as light usual for a summer holiday weekend Most area gasoline stations were shut down by yesterday About 75 percent of the state's 5,100 gas stations were afternoon, but area police reported light traffic on highways in closed for most of the weekend Many stations remained open the area Most stations are expected to reopen today. in resort areas, although some of those were limiting sales The gasoline problems may have been a boon to super- The state Energy Department is investigating reports of market owners, as they reported booming sales of picnic food gasoline price gouging and will begin looking at the possible and gear early in the weekend, as residents apparently decided problem in earnest today, said spokesman Charles Garrity. to stay at home for their celebrations Just like last year, the poor Memorial Day weather was the In Beachwood, Judith Galvin. 36. of Brick Township was beaches' loss but the merchants' gain. Special holiday sales killed Sunday when her car split in half after ramming a utility attracted customers, including many frustrated sunbathers, to pole. all of the county's main business districts. Dennis Tracty, W, ol Lincoln P*rk died Sunday when Mi Officials in Sei Bright and on Sandy Hook reported that (ew car collided head-on with another vehicle on Route 201 In persons braved the weather to try out the beaches for the Lincoln Park traditional opening of the summer season. But even if anyone had braved the weather to get onto the beaches, most would John J Wacker. 20, of Irvington, was killed Sunday on the probably have been kept out of the water because of the early Garden State Parkway in Brick Township when his car collided season's chilly water temperatures. with another vehicle But the New Jersey Marine Police, Monmouth Beach, said William Corcoran. 38, an off-duty Fort Lee policeman, was that sailboats and motorboats were out in force on the area's killed early Saturday when his motorcycle hit an abutment on waterways, with dozens of minor accidents being reported. No the upper level of the George Washington Bridge Sailboat* ready for Mart of Monmouth Boat Club's race on ISaveiink River (Carl Forino photo) one was reported injured in any boating accident. Leonard Scaffidi. 22, of Franklin Township, died Saturday It was a very special season-opening for one local group of following an automobile collision on Route 287. sailors, as the Monmouth Boat Club, Red Bank, opened for its Orlando C Rocha, 38, of Jamaica. NY . was died Friday in 100th season of sailing on the Navesink River. Federal officials disagree a four-car crash on the New Jersey Turnpike at South Bruns- Shoppers turned out in droves for the sales in downtown wick districts like those in Red Bank, Freehold and Long Branch, Eyvind S. Harris, 50. of Cambria Heights, NY. who was and also at the big shopping malls like the Monmouth Mall in changing a flat tire, was struck and killed by a car that did not Eatontown. stop, police said. The Monmouth Mall reported an especially good day yester- John Nolan, 17, of South Orange, was killed early Saturday Was Flight 191 'doomed?' day, as its 7,000 car parking lot was filled to capacity all day, when his motorcycle skidded, hit a light pole and a curb on with thousands of shoppers streaming in and out for the holiday CHICAGO (API - Two Route 280. police said. The dispute over whether the third has separated. tors and said all jets not in- sales. federal safety officials — one the big jet could have been The proot ol it is that it spected by 3 a.m. today must Monmouth Park reported crowds totalling more than 35,000 Heather Evans, 3. of Sayreville. apparently ran onto Me- in Washington, the other here maneuvered to safety without did go from ground zero to 600 be grounded for its thoroughbred racing cards on Saturday and Sunday, and Cutcheon Avenue from behind a parked car Monday and was hit at the crash scene — disagree its engine surfaced yesterday leet.