KEARNY –
Following a nearly threemonth investigation, Kearny police have arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of 158 computers from a local business. Some of the stolen Panasonic Toughbooks, with a total value of $286,000, later showed up for sale on the internet, KPD Chief John Dowie told The Observer.
The equipment was reported missing from a South Kearny company March 17. After the initial report was filed by Officer Jack Corbett, the case was turned over to Det. Ray Lopez, who started putting together the pieces of a complicated puzzle, Dowie said.
During the investigation, the Toughbooks started turning up on sites such as eBay, offered for sale by a “Jersey Joe,” police said. Lopez reportedly also tracked 17 of the computers to North Carolina and worked with the NYPD to gather information. Eventually, the detective narrowed his focus to two employees of the company that had been hit.
On June 9, suspect Ricardo Guzman, 37, of Elizabeth, turned himself in at KPD headquarters, police reported. Lopez and Det. Sgt. John View arrested the second alleged thief, James Steen, 43, of Hackettstown, on June 12 at the South Kearny business.
Both men have been charged with theft and conspiracy.
Charges are pending against at least two other individuals, Dowie said
– Karen Zautyk
