Thieves Swam Through River To Steal From USS Ling In Bergen: Cops

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Two people who swam through the Hackensack River to steal items from the flooded USS Ling were arrested Wednesday, police announced.

Jon P. Stevens, 48, of West Haven, Connecticut, and Laura B. Palmese, 38, of Colcheser, Connecticut, were charged with burglary and theft, Hackensack Police Capt. Peter Busciglio said.

On Aug. 11, Busciglio said, Stevens and Palmese drove to Hackensack, parked in the New Heritage Diner parking lot, and swam through the river to the flooded USS Ling.

Palmese and Stevens stole a lantern and a Medical Corps Lieutenant shoulder lapel from the World War II submarine and museum, Busciglio said.

Their first court appearance is schedule for Oct. 1.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and West Haven Connecticut and Colchester Connecticut police departments assisted the Hackensack Police Department with its investigation into the thefts.

Palmese and Stevens were not charged in connection with the initial damage or the flooding of the submarine. The investigation into that incident is ongoing, police said.

Four World War II commemorative plaques were reported stolen from the USS Ling last month and the submarine was found flooded the next day, police previously said. (See related: Vandals Steal WWII Plaques, Flood USS Ling In Hackensack)

The USS Ling was launched in August 1943 and commissioned in June 1945. It was decommissioned in October 1946. It was brought to Hackensack as the centerpiece of the New Jersey Naval Museum in 1972.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photos of Laura B. Palmese and Jon P. Stevens inside the flooded USS Ling. (Courtesy of Hackensack Police Department)