Middletown Democrat Arrested For Stealing and Vandalizing GOP and Board of Education Signs

Irv Beaver, 73, of Waterview Way, Belford, a long time Middletown Democrat volunteer, activist and County Committeeman, was arrested on Sunday afternoon for stealing and vandalizing campaign signs supporting Republican candidates for local, county and congressional offices, as well as Middetown Board of Education candidates who the Middletown Democrat organization opposes.

Beaver retired from Middletown Police Department in 1988, at the age of 44.  On his social media pages, facebook and linkedin, he purports to be an investigator for the NJ Attorney General’s Office.

Middletown Republicans have long suspected Beaver of stealing and vandalizing their signs. 

Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger, a former mayor of Middletown, said,”These underhanded thefts have been happening for years in Middletown. This is nothing new.  I’m pleased that the Middletown Police Department caught Beaver and I hope he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Dave Merces, a Board of Education candidate running against the slate the Middletown Democrats are supporting, told MMM that between 30-40 of his campaign signs throughout the Township are missing, “I’ve been told that at least one of my signs was found in Mr. Beaver’s possession when he was arrested,” Merces said.

Sean Byrnes, a Democrat candidate for Township Committee, former Committee member and attorney, has not responded to requests for comment about Beaver’s arrest.

Middletown Democrat Chairman Michael DiCiccio said that he does not condone the stealing and vandalism of campaign signs. “I actually like seeing signs from both sides out this time of year,” DiCiccio said in a phone interview. “It is unfortunate that Mr. Beaver did that.”

Beaver was arrested on Cherry Tree Farm Road at about 2:30 Sunday afternoon.  As of 5:30 pm Sunday he was still in custody, being processed and charges being investigated.

As of 11:15 a.m. on Monday, October 15, the Middletown PD has yet to release information about the pending charges.  This story will be updated when that happens.