Cops: Man Stole Generator From Mechanic Customer's Vehicle

A Flemington man was charged with receiving stolen property after police say he took a generator from a customer’s vehicle at a local automotive business, Washington Township Police said.

Just after 4 p.m. on May 21, police were dispatched to Freeman Motors in Califon for a reported theft, Lt. Doug Compton said. An employee from the business told Officer Adam Feichter he saw a man driving a pick-up truck near a garage that borders the shop’s property, Compton said.

The employee spoke with the man, later identified as Patrick Catanzareti, 31, and asked what he was doing near the garage, Compton said. During the conversation, the employee noticed a Honda generator in the truck, similar to the one stolen from a customer’s trailer, Compton said.

The employee asked to see the generator’s serial number, to which Patrick agreed, Compton said.

Further investigation by Feichter determined the generator was indeed stolen, Compton said. Catanzareti arrived at police headquarters on June 4 and charged with receiving stolen property and released pending a court date.