After School Bus Is Stolen From Essex County, Officials Tight-Lipped

LIVINGSTON, NJ — After a school bus was stolen in Livingston last week, the FBI got involved due to "concerning leads," and officials in towns from North Caldwell to Nutley warned parents to be mindful of which bus their kids stepped onto. An arrest followed Thursday morning.

[UPDATE: Livingston's police chief has released the suspect's name and more details. Read more here.]

But as of Sunday night, officials have declined to release the suspect's name, why he was in Livingston, or other details.

On Thursday, Livingston Police Chief Gary Marshuetz announced at 11:10 a.m.:

"The Livingston Police Department, in conjunction with Federal, State, County and local law enforcement agencies are pleased to announce an arrest was made in connection with the stolen Livingston school bus. A 22-year-old Saudi Arabian national was taken into custody in Pennsylvania without incident in the early morning hours of 1/19/23. He is being charged with Motor Vehicle Theft, Burglary, Theft of Moveable Property, Criminal Damage, and Criminal Trespass. There is no indication this actor conspired with others and it is believed he acted alone. While our investigation continues, we would like to reiterate there is no threat to the Livingston area."

"Update 11:51 a.m.: The bus has been located as well."

But over the next two days, officials have not said exactly where the suspect was found, who he was, or why he might have taken a bus.

Community members, including those contacting Livingston Patch, have asked why the person's name or other details weren't released, and questioned whether the press was withholding the information. Some posted other types of questions, asking just where the bus was stolen from.

ABC News had reported the bus was taken from a school parking lot as early as Tuesday — which could mean students might have stepped onto the wrong bus Wednesday before the announcements were made, if true. But Wayne Superintendent of Schools Mark Toback had told community members on Wednesday night that the bus was stolen "earlier today":

On Thursday, FBI Public Affairs Specialist Amy J. Thoreson said in a statement, "FBI Newark and our law enforcement partners are investigating the incident involving the stolen bus from a school in Livingston, NJ. A person of interest is in custody, and there is no threat to public safety at this time. If more information becomes available, we will let you know."

Patch followed up with Matthew J. Reilly, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office. Friday, he said, "If anyone is charged with a federal crime, my office would make that announcement."

When asked Friday if that meant that the charges came only from local law enforcement, he had not responded by the end of the day.

Livingston Superintendent of Schools Matthew Block posted a letter Thursday saying, "In the age of immediate information, it can be difficult to have the faith to allow the police to do their work without knowing the details of that work, but as we have seen, our patience and understanding has allowed the law enforcement professionals to reach this positive outcome."

News outlets from ABC to Fox followed up on the arrest last week, but did not have any new information.

Police sometimes withhold information if it could jeopardize an investigation or if there's a minor involved.

RLS media initially reported that the driver was "known to law enforcement," according to a subsequent story in NJ 101.5, but that information was no longer in the RLS article by Friday, despite a provocative headline about the driver.

Patch will update this story as soon as more information is obtained. Got a tip or question? Contact Livingston Patch.

[READ UPDATE HERE.]

Read previous Livingston police and safety news on Patch here.