Riverfront Apartments jumper had arrest record

By Amanda O’Rourke and Marcia Moore
The Daily Item

May 11, 2009 11:09 pm

— SUNBURY — A man who assaulted his girlfriend before jumping to his death from a 16th-floor window Saturday at the River Front Apartments had a history of arrests, but the apartment manager is defending the building’s security policies.
Jeffrey J. Oliver, 30, of Weatherly, Carbon County, was arrested several times in Philadelphia during the past six years on burglary, theft and drug possession charges, but each time the cases were dismissed or dropped, according to Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas documents.
Sunbury police said Oliver got into a fight with his girlfriend at her mother’s apartment in River Front Apartments just before midnight Saturday, and it ended with him becoming enraged and jumping through a closed window.
Neither Oliver’s girlfriend nor her mother was identified by police. Wendy Herrold, building manager, said a letter was sent to each resident at the apartment complex, informing them of the death and the circumstances surrounding it.
She said overnight guests are welcome at the discretion of River Front residents, who have the right to have guests visit them as often as they like, just as they would in their own homes. The building, at 130 S. Front St., is owned by Aimco.
“However, we have a stipulation in our house rules to address any situation where guests have stayed for longer periods of time without being a named resident on the lease,” Herrold said. “It is important to note that the resident’s relative and guest were not living in the apartment, but were there as guests the night of the incident.”
There was no word on how long the two were staying in the apartment. Police said Oliver and his girlfriend were alone.
Oliver’s most recent arrest took place Feb. 7, when he was charged with burglary, criminal conspiracy, possession of an instrument of crime, criminal trespass and criminal mischief. The charges were withdrawn five days later by the Philadelphia County district attorney’s office.
In November 2005, Oliver was charged with possession of a controlled substance, and that charge later was withdrawn. In December 2004, he was charged with theft and criminal conspiracy, and those charges were dismissed. In February 2003, he was accused of theft, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and fleeing police, all of which were later dropped by prosecutors.
The River Front Apartments is locked at all times, Herrold said. Each resident is provided with two key fobs for secure entrance. Others must call the apartment they wish to visit and have the resident agree to allow them into the building. In addition, criminal background checks are conducted on applicants before leases are signed.
Headquartered in Denver, Colo., Aimco is one of the nation’s largest owners and operators of apartment complexes with 992 communities, including River Front Apartments in Sunbury, Heritage House in Lewisburg, Hillside Village in Catawissa and Bloomsburg Towers in Bloomsburg.

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