Ghost story lures 'Weird N.J.' trio into trouble

JAMES P. QUARANTA

The Daily Journal

VINELAND -- Three people who said they were trying to photograph ghosts for the magazine Weird N.J. were arrested on trespassing charges at the former Menantico Colony, police said.

Ed Burgents, who manages the property owned by The Training School at Vineland, was patrolling the Hance Bridge Road site around 8 a.m. Wednesday when he saw two vehicles familiar to him from previous trespassing incidents. Burgents and police heard voices coming from the basement of a cottage and confronted the trio when they came out.

The suspects told police they worked for Weird N.J. One of the alleged trespassers -- Kristophe Kruedelbach, 30, of Fairton-Millville Road in Bridgeton -- said they heard the buildings were haunted and were trying to take pictures of ghosts for an article.

Police also arrested Katherine Burk, 24, of North East Avenue and Christa Gargon, 23, of Sugarman Avenue in Millville. All three suspects were released on summonses pending court action.

The Menantico Colony site off Hance Bridge Road comprises several hundred acres that were used in the 1920s and '30s as a working farm for mentally challenged men and boys. Prize-winning livestock was raised on the farm, which also produced corn and other agricultural products.

Several cottages and buildings remain on the property, which police said has "no trespassing" signs posted at the entrance and on each of the buildings.

Weird N.J. is a travel guide and magazine featuring odd places around the state. The publication uses stories submitted by subscribers as well as its own staff, and last year featured a story about the Menantico Colony site.

This article was written by JAMES P. QUARANTA and published by The Daily Journal on Tuesday, May 4th 2004 and NOT owned by nor affiliated with opacity.us, but are recorded here solely for educational use.