Charges in Croydon arson; fire not tied to Margavich death – Bucks Round-Up – September 25, 2025
Charges in Croydon arson; fire not tied to Ed Margavich death
Three Croydon men face charges in connection with an August 8 arson that endangered a family of five in Bristol Township. District Attorney Jennifer Schorn announced that Gavin Ross Montoya, 27, Charles William Vandenberg, 50 and Thomas J. Parker, 36, were charged after an extensive investigation by Bristol Township Police. The investigation alleges that Montoya set fire to a van outside a Cedar Avenue home, causing flames to spread to the house while its five occupants slept inside. All were safely evacuated. Investigators say Vandenberg solicited Montoya to torch the vehicle, while Parker acted as the getaway driver. Surveillance footage captured Montoya lighting what appeared to be road flares and tossing it into the van. Detectives later traced Parker’s SUV to the scene, and cell phone records revealed text messages in which Vandenberg instructed Montoya to “Get road flare” in exchange for cash and drugs. Montoya and Vandenberg each face multiple counts of arson, reckless endangerment, and related offenses. Vandenberg also faces a solicitation charge. Parker has been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and hindering apprehension. Vandenberg was arraigned Friday and remains in county prison on $350,000 bail. Montoya and Parker will be arraigned later. The investigation also addressed the passing of Ed Margavich, the 80-year-old captain of fire police with the Third District Volunteer Fire Company. Margavich died on August 15 from complications after a fall at the fire station, one week after the arson. While honored as a line-of-duty death, prosecutors said state law prevents holding the suspects criminally liable, given the unrelated circumstances of his injury. Schorn praised the Bristol Township Police Department, led by Detective Michael Grebloski, for its work on the case. Deputy District Attorney Alan Garabedian will prosecute. Margavich, a volunteer for nearly 65 years, was remembered by the DA’s office as a public servant who saved countless lives and properties and whose absence will be “deeply felt by all who knew him.”
Township honors veterinarian for rescue at Hershey Park
The Northampton Township Board of Supervisors recognized a Richboro father and veterinarian whose quick thinking helped avert a potential tragedy at Hershey Park late last month. Board Chair Adam Selisker presented Dr. John Sampson with the township’s Distinguished Citizen Award, recounting his courageous actions on August 30. According to Selisker, Dr. Sampson noticed a young boy walking alone on the park’s elevated monorail track, dangerously high above the ground. Without hesitation, Sampson accessed the roof of a nearby building, climbed onto the tracks, and reached the child. His swift response brought the boy safely back to his family. Selisker said Sampson’s “dad instincts” and bravery prevented what could have been a devastating incident. “Through his quick thinking and courageous actions, Dr. Sampson ensured the child’s safe return,” the chair told attendees at the recent supervisors meeting. Sampson, a longtime Richboro resident and practicing veterinarian, humbly accepted the award, crediting his instincts as a father for guiding his response. The Distinguished Citizen Award is given to township residents who demonstrate exceptional service or heroism, and officials said Sampson’s actions fully embodied the spirit of the recognition.
Falls Township man charged in child exploitation case
A 75-year-old Falls Township man has been arrested on serious charges in connection with child sexual abuse material. Bristol Township Police arrested David Roberts on Wednesday and transferred him to Falls Township Police. Roberts was arraigned on multiple felony counts, including dissemination of child sexual abuse material and criminal use of a communication facility. Police say the case began August 2 when a bartender at a Bristol Pike business called officers. The bartender explained to officers that Roberts, a regular patron, had displayed an image on his cellphone of a topless female he said was sixteen years old. When confronted about the photo being child pornography, Roberts allegedly insisted the person was now eighteen. The bartender nonetheless alerted police. In early September, investigators secured a search warrant and interviewed Roberts, who tried to defuse the incident, claiming he did not always check things sent to him. He admitted showing the bartender a photo of a topless female but said the woman was eighteen or nineteen. Roberts voluntarily provided his phone to police for a more thorough probe of its contents. Forensic review later showed what police described as disturbing material: images and videos depicting children in sexual acts, child nudity, and adults engaged in sexual activity with minors and animals. Text message records suggested Roberts not only received such material but also distributed it to others. In some exchanges, police said Roberts acknowledged the individuals were underage, with some under thirteen, and allegedly solicited additional explicit content from minors. Following the discovery of the child porn, Roberts was charged and ordered held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10% of $1 million bail.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490.
