LAKEWOOD – One half of the elderly couple that was bound and beaten during a home invasion in the early hours of August 29, is also a leader in the opposition to a proposed large-scale development project on the Eagle Ridge Golf Course.
Jersey Shore Online reported that the couple – Frederick Robinson, 66, and his wife Patty Robinson, 64 – was the victim of a home invasion where they were beaten with a flashlight and bound with duct tape by the intruder. The couple, residing on Eagle Ridge Circle in The Fairways at the Lake Ridge complex, was awakened by noises at approximately 3 a.m. when they were attacked. The intruder later fled with the couple’s vehicle.
The identity of the intruder is not yet known, said Al Della Fave of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Della Fave confirmed that the couple “suffered a serious assault” and are both being treated at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
“We are waiting for them to recover,” said Della Fave, so that officials can talk to them and collect information about the suspect in question.
Frederick Robinson is the leader of a major opposition to development on what is currently the Eagle Ridge Golf Course. The project proposes to develop a total of 1,034 residential units. The golf course is located next to the Lake Ridge complex.
While it is not clear if Robinson’s opposition to the development was a factor in the incident, officials are still investigating the matter.
“We’re investigating,” said Della Fave. “We don’t know a whole lot right now.”
Robinson is a member of the homeowner’s association for The Fairways, which previously sued to stop the development, which would impose nearly 70,000 sq. ft. of retail space.
Citing conflicts of interest and land use violations, Robinson is fighting the development project, using his legal background and experience as a former township administrator in Roselle and Atlantic Highlands, NJ.
No agreement has been settled upon yet for the controversial project, officials stated.
