Man Arrested After Mahwah Polo Club Signs, Street Lights Shot Out

MAHWAH, NJ — A man has been arrested on criminal mischief and weapons charges after police say he used a shotgun to destroy property at the Ramapo Polo Club.

Harold Molt Jr., 66, was arrested after a police investigation that began after someone used birdshot and a shotgun to shoot out two historical street lights that illuminated a bridge and no parking and other signs along 95 Halifax Road, said Chief James Batelli. The damage was in excess of $5,000. The club's homeowners association reported the damage May 12.

Detective Lt. Guido Bussinelli directed the investigation into the property destruction. Several people were interviewed and images from video surveillance cameras at various locations were reviewed, as were several pieces of evidence collected at the scene, Batelli said.

Police said they think Molt threw various pieces of evidence into the Ramapo River, which the Mahwah Fire Department's Evidence Recovery Team recovered.

Molt had been living at 95 Halifax Road, but also uses addresses in Fulton and Rooseveleton, New York.

Detective Michael Grassi executed a search warrant of Molt's Toyota pickup, which Molt was driving when he was arrested, Batelli said.

Molt was charged with possession of a weapon, shotgun, for an unlawful purpose, possession of a firearm without first obtaining a permit, criminal mischief in an amount greater than $2,000, possession of a weapon, discharge of a firearm and discharge of a firearm within 450 feet of a residence.

Molt was processed at Mahwah Police headquarters and remanded to the Bergen County Jail, Batelli said. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed, he said.

Batelli commended the detectives assigned to the case "for their diligence and thoroughness in conducting the investigation."

Editor's note: A previous version of this story identified Molt as a member of the Ramapo Lenape Indian Tribe. He is not a member, a lawyer representing the tribe confirmed.

Photos: Harold Molt Jr., 66 and a surveillance photo of the alleged shooter. — Mahwah Police Department