Package Thieves Caught With Stolen Kitchen Sink: Nutley Police

NUTLEY, NJ — They literally stole the kitchen sink, police said.

On Monday, police in Nutley and Belleville cooperated on a package theft investigation that resulted in the arrest of three people. Some of the stolen items – including a kitchen sink – were recovered, authorities said.

After several items were stolen from the porches of local homes, Nutley police identified a black Acura as a vehicle connected to the crimes with help from the New Jersey State Police Real Time Crime Center.

Cooperating with Belleville police, Nutley detectives eventually arrested three people – Luis Colon, 26, and two juveniles from Newark – and charged them with multiple counts of theft.

Public Safety Director Alphonse Petracco commended the involved officers from Nutley and Belleville. He said the cooperation Nutley officers received from local residents, Belleville police and the New Jersey State Police was “exactly the way it should work.”

Police Chief Thomas Strumolo said although many of the packages contained relatively inexpensive items, the investigative work that consumed detectives’ time was the same as if the items were of high value.

Nutley – and the surrounding area – have been “targeted” by package thieves over the summer, Strumolo said. He reminded residents to request a signature when they get packages delivered, or have them delivered at a time or location that someone is available to receive them.

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