Bail Maintained for Man Accused of Wielding Ax

A Morris County man who remains under investigation in the fatal accident that killed a Paramus High grad and who is accused of wielding an ax at a fast-food restaurant employee, stealing a pickup truck and harassing employees of a country club had his bail maintained Friday.

Philip Cise Jr., 48, of Dover, had his $75,000 bail maintained by Superior Court Judge Salem Vincent Ahto, according to the Daily Record. Cise, who appeared via a camera link between the Morris County Jail and the county courthouse in Morristown, has been in a mental health facility or in jail since his July arrest, the article said.

Cise, a former Long Valley resident, has not been charged in the July , the 2010 Paramus High School valedictorian who was struck while she was jogging near her parents' Poconos home in Pennsylvania.

Cise before he appeared in Bedminster Municipal Court in July on unrelated charges stemming from harrassment claims made by employees of a Somerset County country club.

Cise's run-ins with the law began on June 30 when he allegedly in Bedminster.

On July 2, Cise allegedly begged for free food at the Rockaway McDonald's and allegedly became irate with employees and a customer. He allegedly swung his ax at the drive-thru employee. Cise was later charged with possession of a weapon, but was processed and released.   

On July 7, Cise was arrested for allegedly stealing a truck from a Jefferson Township driveway. Authorities said the vehicle was recovered and returned to the owner. Cise was released on bail. 

On July 14, a witness saw Cise driving erratically over the double-yellow lines on the road and hit Reuveni from behind, authorities said. A sobriety test was conducted, but Cise was released pending the results, authorities said.

The following night, Cise plowed into a utility pole with a different vehicle in Lake Hiawatha, police said. Cise was uninjured but officers discovered the Bedminster arrest warrant. Cise was arrested and turned over to Bedminster Township Police.

Superior Court Judge Stuart Minkowitz increased Cise's bond to $75,000 on July 18 for the McDonald's incident.