Croydon Arson Suspects Head to Trial that Led to Fmr Fire Chief’s Line-of Duty Death

Two men are headed to trial on arson and related offenses after a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Bristol Borough District Court for an August 2025 fire that destroyed a home in Croydon. 

District Judge David Chichilitti ruled there was enough evidence presented to sustain the charges  against Charles William Vandenberg, 51, and Gavin Ross Montoya, 28, both of Croydon.

Both men face charges of arson, dangerous burning, reckless endangerment, risking catastrophe, and related offenses.

The fire led to the line of duty death of former Third District Fire Chief and lifetime member Ed Margavich.

Before the hearing, about three dozen firefighters from Third District and Croydon Fire Companies glared  down the defendants as they entered the Bath Street courthouse.

Firefighters told Lower Bucks Source it was necessary to be at the hearing; to show support for Margavich’s wife  and remind the two suspects the house fire contributed mightily to his line-of -duty death. 

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.

Credit: Lower Bucks Hospital

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.

The five residents escaped unharmed.

The third suspect, Thomas J. Parker, 36, of Croydon, as a result of an agreement with county prosecutors, testified against, Montoya and Vandenberg, Wednesday.

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 Ave, according to court records.

Vandenberg allegedly told Montoya he “need (ed) that  Van Torched. ”

Montoya, according to court records, responded by asking for “$10gs in 2 bags.”

“I  guess i’m involved in the littlest bit here,” Vandenberg allegedly told investigators in a  August 2025, interview.

Margavich who died last August 15,  was at the fire scene in Croydon that morning when he realized the fire police needed more cones for traffic control. The 80 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.

Credit: Third District Volunteer Fire Company

Because Margavich was not involved in fire suppression, the suspects could not be charged with homicide related offenses, Bucks County authorities said, however, he passing was ruled a line- of- duty death, by fire officials.

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.

Parker, is expected to enter guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit robbery and hindering apprehension charges, once the case against  Montoya and Vandenberg, are adjudicated, a source with knowledge of the proceedings told Lower Buck Source. They both are  due back in court for a hearing next month.

Credit: Jeff Bohen, Lower Bucks Source