New Milford police charge two with theft of landscaping equipment

Two men were arrested yesterday afternoon and charged with burglary and theft after New Milford police received reports that the suspects were seen removing landscaping equipment from a trailer.

Travis Marazo, 22, of West Milford and Michael Eckardt, 18, of Bergenfield were both arrested and charged with burglary and theft after a search of the vehicle in which they were travelling led police to recover a stolen gasoline-powered trimmer, according to police Chief Frank Papapietro.

New Milford police received reports at 2:25 p.m. Monday, April 4 that a passenger in a tan vehicle was seen in the area of Reichelt Road and Pacific Street entering a parked landscaping trailer, removing items and then leaving the scene, Papapietro said. The vehicle was described as having three occupants.

Information regarding the incident and vehicle description was broadcast to officers on patrol, police said.

Sgt. John O'Malley conducted a stop of a vehicle matching the description at New Bridge Road and Rosse Avenue with assistance from Officers George Herrero and Richard Giacobone Jr. and Detective Brian Long, Papapietro said.

The three occupants, two males - later identified as Marazo and Eckardt - and a female, were removed from the vehicle, and a consent to search the vehicle was obtained, said Papapietro.

"Officers observed an Echo gasoline-powered trimmer in the trunk, which they were later informed the vehicle occupants intended to pawn in Saddle Brook," said Papapietro.

John Mirza Landscaping Co. was identified as the owner of the trimmer in the vehicle, police said.

Marazo and Eckardt were arrested and charged with burglary and theft. The female passenger was released following further investigation, police said.

Judge Kevin Kelly set bail at $5,000 with 10 percent option for both Marazo and Eckardt. Marazo posted bail and was released. Eckardt was unable to post bail and was subsequently taken to Bergen County Jail.

Two men were arrested yesterday afternoon and charged with burglary and theft after New Milford police received reports that the suspects were seen removing landscaping equipment from a trailer.

Travis Marazo, 22, of West Milford and Michael Eckardt, 18, of Bergenfield were both arrested and charged with burglary and theft after a search of the vehicle in which they were travelling led police to recover a stolen gasoline-powered trimmer, according to police Chief Frank Papapietro.

New Milford police received reports at 2:25 p.m. Monday, April 4 that a passenger in a tan vehicle was seen in the area of Reichelt Road and Pacific Street entering a parked landscaping trailer, removing items and then leaving the scene, Papapietro said. The vehicle was described as having three occupants.

Information regarding the incident and vehicle description was broadcast to officers on patrol, police said.

Sgt. John O'Malley conducted a stop of a vehicle matching the description at New Bridge Road and Rosse Avenue with assistance from Officers George Herrero and Richard Giacobone Jr. and Detective Brian Long, Papapietro said.

The three occupants, two males - later identified as Marazo and Eckardt - and a female, were removed from the vehicle, and a consent to search the vehicle was obtained, said Papapietro.

"Officers observed an Echo gasoline-powered trimmer in the trunk, which they were later informed the vehicle occupants intended to pawn in Saddle Brook," said Papapietro.

John Mirza Landscaping Co. was identified as the owner of the trimmer in the vehicle, police said.

Marazo and Eckardt were arrested and charged with burglary and theft. The female passenger was released following further investigation, police said.

Judge Kevin Kelly set bail at $5,000 with 10 percent option for both Marazo and Eckardt. Marazo posted bail and was released. Eckardt was unable to post bail and was subsequently taken to Bergen County Jail.