A replacement candidate for Scotch Plains Township Council was arrested on assault charges on Monday, about two weeks after joining the race as a new Republican candidate.
Gabrielle Gilles, the owner of a pop-up bakery called the Bite Me Bakery, was picked by the local GOP to replace Deanna Dell Bene, who withdrew from the race last week.
In an interesting twist, the arresting police officer was Kobe White, the son of Gilles’ Democratic opponent, Councilman Roc White.
Born and raised in Scotch Plains, Gilles is active in the local PTA. She is running with Republican State Committeeman Brian Johdos and Romel D’Munda, a U.S. Navy veteran. White is running with two other incumbents, Elizabeth Stamler and Matt Adams.
Johdos said there are no plans to replace Gilles on the ticket at this time.
Gilles was charged with simple assault and purposely and knowingly causing bodily injury. The alleged incident occurred on Sunday, and the arrest warrant was executed on Monday. She was released from the Essex County Jail on Tuesday.
This afternoon, Gilles was stopped on Route 22 in Union Township and ticketed for driving with a suspended driver’s license. She is due to appear in court on August 31.
It’s not immediately clear why police chose to send the son of Gilles’ opponent to make the arrest – a move that presents the appearance of a conflict. The Scotch Plains Police Department did not immediately return a call seeking comment.