Ramapo Lenape Chief Charged In Connection With Club Vandalism

MAHWAH, NJ — Dwain Perry, chief of the Ramapo Lenape tribe, was charged with criminal mischief in connection with acts of vandalism at the Ramapo Hunt and Polo Club last month, police announced Thursday.

Detective Lt. Guido Bussinelli lead an investigation into the $5,000 worth of damage to the club that occurred on May 12, said Chief James Batelli.

Detectives reviewed hours of surveillance footage from cameras on a bridge the club owns and saw footage filmed May 9 that showed someone turning the lens on a surveillance camera to try and change the angle the camera was facing, Batelli said.

Steven D. Smith, 29, a.k.a. Owl, of Branchburg, Virginia, was identified as the man turning the camera, the chief said.

Footage showed Perry, 69, driving Smith to the scene; he was at the bridge and was captured on film, police said.

Surveillance footage was given to representatives of the Ramapo Homeowners Association, who filed a complaint, charging both Smith and Perry with criminal mischief.

Municipal Court Judge Dennis Marraka found probable cause to issue the complaint. Perry and Smith are due in Mahwah Municipal Court July 13, Batelli said.

Another man, Harold Molt Jr., 66, was arrested and charged with vandalizing the Polo Club property, police previously said. Molt reportedly used a shotgun to shoot out two historical street lights that illuminated the bridge and street signs at the property, authorities said.

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Photos: Ramapo Lenape Chief Dwain Perry, Steven D. Smith and a still of the vehicle Perry reportedly drove Smith in to a bridge near the Polo Club taken from surveillance footage. — Patch file photo/Photos courtesy of Mahwah Police Department