By Leslie Gonzalez
E. Rockaway home targeted
Five East Rockaway residents were arrested on drug charges last Thursday evening after what police describe as a cocaine and heroin exchange at a Denton Avenue home. A couple who lived in the two-family home were among those arrested, while their 2-year-old daughter was in another room, police said. All five were arraigned Friday morning at First District Court in Hempstead.
According to Nassau detectives, the arrests were made following a three-month investigation by the county Narcotics Bureau that culminated in the execution of a search warrant at the house, located off Main Street. Assisting the detectives were Fourth Precinct police officers and the Bureau of Special Operations, a plain-clothes tactical unit.
While the location was under observation, but prior to entry by narcotics detectives, East Rockaway residents Fred Albrecht, Edward Martin and Richard DeFranco were seen visiting the home to make purchases, according to police. All three were arrested after driving away from the scene shortly after 7 P.M., and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Mr. Defranco was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, because he had left his 6- and 10-year-old children alone at the Oceanside Motel at the time of his arrest.
According to Det. Paul Vitucci, police then waited about 20 minutes outside before raiding the corner home. Arrested were husband and wife Bruce Feuer and Linda Holmes. Mr. Feuer was charged with criminal possession in the first degree, and criminal sale and possession in the third degree. Mr Feuer's wife, whom Det. Vitucci said tried to barricade the door and dispose of the cocaine, was charged with obstructing governmental administration. Both were also charged with endangering the welfare of their 2-year old daughter, who was home at the time of the arrests.
"We recovered a substantial amount of cocaine and heroin," said Det. Vitucci. "He (Mr. Feuer) is a major street-level narcotic dealer, and this is his second major drug arrest." Mr. Vitucci further described Ms. Holmes and Mr. DeFranco as having criminal records.
Meanwhile, neighbors had mixed reactions to the arrests. Some said they were aware of the drug activity because of the revolving traffic, short-term parking, and strange, brief visitors at all hours of the night. Others were simply shocked, having been raised in the area described as a nice neighborhood occupied by families with young children.
"I think it's horrible. I'm very disappointed that this happened in our neighborhood," said neighbor Judy Fuller, an East Rockaway resident of 16 years who lives with her four children ages 7 through 14.
"I'm glad they were arrested," another neighbor said. "This has been going on for two years.
Detective Vitucci said Ms. Holmes' and Mr. Feuer's daughter is currently in the custody of the child's grandmother, but he did not know the status of the two children left at the hotel by Mr. DeFranco. Detectives would not discuss what clued them into initiating the surveillance, but referred to the arrests as a closed investigation.
Mr. Albrecht was released on his own recognizance. Mr. Feuer, Mr. Martin and Mr. DeFranco were being held at Nassau County Correctional Facility. Ms. Holmes was released after a bail bond of $1,000 was posted.
