NJ Man Admits Stealing $76K In Chainsaws, Parts From Amtrak

NEWARK, NJ — A Brick Township man has admitted to stealing chainsaws and chainsaw parts from Amtrak, where he worked, and then selling it for personal profit, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Jose Rodriguez, 49, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in federal court in Newark to one count of mail fraud, Honig's office said.

He was charged in March 2021 with one count of theft from an agency receiving federal funds and one count of theft of government property.

Rodriguez had been an Amtrak employee since October 2007, most recently as a senior engineer and repairman based out of an Amtrak facility in North Brunswick. Between March 2012 and July 2020, Rodriguez obtained 114 chainsaws, 122 chainsaw replacement bars, and 222 replacement chains from Amtrak valued at more than $76,000.

He got the equipment under the false pretense that it would be used for Amtrak projects, but instead he sold the equipment either on an online auction service or directly to purchasers, federal authorities said.

Rodriguez used the U.S. Postal Service to mail the stolen chainsaws and chainsaw parts to purchasers throughout the United States, including people in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The mail fraud charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 19, authorities said.

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook.