Breaking News - Bristol Township
2 In Custody, in Croydon Arson that Led to Third District Firefighter’s Line of Duty Death; Suspect Says it was Supposed to be a Drug Robbery
Updated Monday September 22, 2025 7:45 p.m.
Police on Friday arrested one man and filed arrest warrants for two other men, all listing Croydon as their home address, in the arson fire that led to the line of duty death of former Third District Fire Chief and lifetime member Ed Margavich.
District Judge Terrence Hughes arraigned Charles William Vandenberg, 50 of Bristol Township on nine arson related counts including solicitation, and a slew of related misdemeanor counts for risking catastrophe when allegedly soliciting a second suspect to set the August 8 fire of a van at a Cedar Avenue home.
Gavin Montoya, a 27-year-old who allegedly set the fire, according to the probable cause, is charged with seven arson-related felonies. Montoya was taken into custody on August 15 on arrest warrants in a separate case.
According to the probable cause, Montoya is seen on video surveillance from several vantage points throwing something into the back of the white van, parked next to the Cedar Ave home.
That morning Officer J. Moratti of the Bristol Township Police Department was on patrol and saw the van engulfed in flames. The van was parked in the driveway adjacent to 713 Cedar Avenue. Moratti notified Bucks County Radio and summoned first responders to the scene and immediately evacuated residents in the house who were still asleep. The raging fire spread from the van to the side of the house, according to the probable cause.
Bristol Township Police Officers for days after the fire went door-to-door of Croydon homes and businesses with surveillance cameras in the area surrounding the 700 block of Cedar Ave.
A third man, Thomas Parker 36 years of age, faces felony hindering prosecution and apprehension charges. He also faces a single count of conspiracy to commit robbery.
Parker, according to the probable cause, told Bristol Twp Police, “this wasn’t supposed to go down like this. He (Montoya) was supposed to rob him for drugs!”
Parker was the getaway driver the morning of the blaze waiting for Montoya on New York Ave, off of Cedar, according to court records.
When Montoya was taken into custody, he had a black cellular device on him. This cellular device was placed into evidence pending a search warrant, according to court records.
On August 15, 2025, a search warrant was drafted and approved for Montoya’s cellular device. Located in the cellular device, police said, was a conversation between Montoya and “CHAZ OG” with the phone number ******5074 attached to it. TThis phone number was searched and found to belong to Vandenberg.
According to police Vandenberg goes by the nickname “CHAZ”.
In this conversation Vandenberg tells Montoya that he “NEED THAT VAN TOURCHED” and Montoya responds with “CAN I GET 10GS IN 2 BAGS”. Vandenberg tells Montoya “GET ROAD FLARE”, “GONNA NEED YOU TO HIT IT AGAIN TONIGHT”. These conversations took place leading up to the fire being set on the morning of August 8.
Vandenberg met with investigators on August 18 at Police Headquarters. “I guess i’m involved in the littlest bit here”. When asked if there was anybody involved other that himself, Montoya and Parker he said, “I don’t so”.
Vandenberg describes for police a road flare was used as a “smoke bomb” and stated that it was just meant to damage the clothing inside the van that “he paid for”. Vandenberg also told police that there was something else thrown into the van which made it go up in the flames. He believes it is called “Nitro or something like that”.
This interview was ended, and Vandenberg left the building with his child, officers wrote in the probable cause.
Credit:L Jeff Bohen Lower Bucks Source
*It must be noted that there are no homicide-related charges filed by District Attorney Jennifer Schorn against any of the suspects.
The silence coming out of the Third District Firehouse and Chief Margavich’s nephew, Fire Chief Howard McGoldrick is deafening as the station and the chief did not respond to requests for comment as of publication time.
Margavich who died on August 15 was at the fire scene in Croydon that morning when he realized the fire police needed more cones for traffic control. The 65 year-old firefighter with the Third District tripped and fell breaking his femur, which lacerated his gallbladder. This caused an infection that resisted treatment and he succumbed to the spreading infection about a week later.
Because Margavich was not involved in fire suppression, the suspects can’t be charged with homicide related offenses, the statute says.
Margavich was laid to rest at Bristol Cemetery after a celebration of his life and contributions to the community on August 30. He would have turned 81 on September 11 had he survived his injuries.
Editor’s Note: Mr. Vandenberg was arraigned at 4:35 p.m. Friday afternoon. His arrest was not discovered until after the courts closed for the weekend. Lower Bucks Source will obtain the criminal complaint filed against him and the other suspects.
Mr. Parker was supposed to turn himself into authorities Monday morning. As of Tuesday, according to online court records, he has yet to do so,
Credit: Jeff Bohen Lower Bucks Source
Breaking News - Bristol Township
Cops: Death Investigation Going On in Oaktree Section of Levittown at Home Just Put Up for Sale
Bristol Township Police are on scene in the Oaktree section of Levittown conducting a death investigation Sunday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
Emergency services units were dispatched to 28 Outlook Lane just after 12:30 p.m. for a possible death at the residence, first responder sources told Lower Bucks Source. According to dispatch, police were already on scene blocking access to Outlook Lane from all points when rescue squad medics arrived.
Speculation across social media ran rampant attempting to explain the “heavy police presence” in the area.
At 2:09 p.m. Bristol authorities responded to a request for comment, on the nature of police activity on Outlook Lane, saying it was too early to comment.
That was followed up by an official media press release at 2:28 p.m. which said:
The Bristol Township Police Department is conducting a death investigation on Outlook Lane in the Oaktree section of Levittown. The investigation is in the early stages and limited information can be released, said Sgt. Jason Mancuso
“At this time, we do know this is an isolated incident and there is absolutely no danger to our community members. Bristol Township Police Department will release a news statement tomorrow (Monday) February 9 at 12 noon with more details.”
Investigators seem to be paying special attention to a white SUV vehicle that now has police vehicles parked in front and behind it adjacent to the Outlook Lane residence (image below).
Community tipsters say police are focusing on that particular SUV because the deceased person is inside the vehicle.
Lower Bucks Source has not been able to independently confirm those reports, however, investigators remained focused on the white SUV while at the scene.
According to Realtor.com, 28 Outlook Lane home is currently up for sale and an “Open House” was scheduled for today for potential home buyers. The home was listed for sale just five days ago.
Police officers had to turn away potential buyers who were planning to attend the open house, Lower Bucks Source learned at the scene.
Credit: Joe Nelson Lower Bucks Source
Breaking News - Bristol Township
Updated: Bristol Twp First Responders Rescue Motorist from Crash, State Police Investigating Crash
Updated: 4:30 p.m. Monday Feb 2, 2026
The motorist in Sunday nights crash into an embankment off of Newportville Road into Neshaminy Creek was able to extricate themselves before first responders arrived on the scene.
Rescue crews were dispatched to the area of Newportville -Newport Roads in the area where I 95 crosses overhead for a reported entrapped motorist at just before 5:30 p.m.
A first responder source told the publication the motorist was not seriously injured and was able to walk away with the help of fire personnel.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the crash and have declined as of this update to respond to requests for comment as of this story update.
Original Story Below
Bristol Township first responders on Sunday night rescued a motorist driving on Newportville Road and reportedly went down an embankment near the Newport Road intersection near the I 95 overpass.
Rescue crews from Newportville and Croydon Fire Companies with the Bucks County Rescue Squad were called out for a entrapment /extrication call at 5:24 p.m.
First responders when arriving on scene discovered the motorist and escorted him back up the hill onto Newportville Rd.
Credit: Joe Nelson
Sources say the driver was the only occupant of the as yet unidentified vehicle and that he does not appear to be seriously injured.
This remains a developing story. Updates are expected
Breaking News - Bristol Borough
Update: Male Trespasser Struck by SEPTA Train in Bristol Twp Dies as a Result of Injuries Suffered
Updated: Saturday Dec 27, 2025, 4:15 pm
The trespasser struck by SEPTA Regional Rail Trenton Line train died as a result of their injuries, a SEPTA spokesperson confirmed for Lower Bucks Source early Saturday evening.
“I can confirm that the trespasser strike resulted in a fatality (male) and that service on the Trenton Regional Rail Line was restored as of approximately 3:45 this afternoon,” SEPTA said.
The Bucks County Coroners office will now have the job of determining whether not the incident was accidental or death by suicide.
Bucks County Coroners Office Transport Van on the 2500 block of Bristol Pike Saturday afternoon
Credit: Joe Nelson, Lower Bucks Source
A SEPTA Regional Rail Trenton Line Train heading into Center City struck a trespasser on the tracks between the Bristol and Croydon stations at around 1:45 p.m. Saturday.
I can confirm a person was struck along the Trenton Line by an outbound SEPTA Regional Rail train between Bristol and Croydon Stations. The line is currently suspended until further notice, SEPTA Senior Press Officer John Golden said.
The condition of the struck individual is unknown, Golden said, adding updates will be provided once SEPTA has more information to disseminate.
Croydon Fire Co First Responders on scene after a trespasser was Struck by a SEPTA Train in between Bristol and Croydon Regional Rail stations Credit: Joe Nelson, Lower Bucks Source
The southbound Trenton line train is currently idle between the Bristol and Croydon stations adjacent to the Bristol Cemetery on Bristol Pike while Amtrak Police lead the investigation into the person vs train incident.
Firefighters from the Croydon Fire Company and Bristol Township Police officers are on scene.
The Bucks County Coroners office is also on scene although no information about the struck individual or their injuries has been released.
Updates as they come in.
Credit: Joe Nelson, Lower Bucks Source
All images in this story are credited to Joe Nelson, Lower Bucks Source.
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