STAFF REPORT
NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
NORTHVALE, N.J. — Investigators from the Northvale and Closter police departments were able to capture three suspects who allegedly stole a woman’s credit card from her car in Northvale, and then attempted to use the card at Target in Closter, Capt. Howard Ostrow of the Northvale Police Department recently described in a statement.
The initial incident occurred on Aug. 19 at 9:15 p.m. at the Citgo Gas Station, located at 258 Livingston St. in Northvale. A woman fueling her car there entered the adjoining store, Ostrow said, and a gas station attendant saw a suspect enter her unattended car and remove a credit card.
“When she returned, the attendant informed her that a male party had entered her vehicle and stolen her credit card,” said Ostrow.
Investigators were able to review video surveillance. It showed suspects pull into the gas station in two separate vehicles. Two suspects entered the gas station’s adjoining store, attempting to purchase cigarettes with two different credit cards that were both declined, Ostrow said. As they exited, the third suspect who remained outside by the gas pumps is seen reaching into the victim’s car and removing her credit card, Ostrow said. The gas attendant confronts the suspects; however, they returned to their vehicles and fled the area, he said.
The suspects then attempted to use the victim’s credit at a Target located in Closter, Ostrow said.
Investigators tracked one of the vehicles to a rental company in Connecticut. Ostrow said that Sgt. Robert Pizzi was able to obtain the renter information, which matched a description of one of the suspects.
“After arrangements were made to return the rental car at a location in Northvale, the Northvale Police Department, with assistance from the Closter Police Department, performed surveillance in the area and were able to arrest all three suspects upon the return of the car,” said Ostrow.
Police took the three suspects into custody. The men – a 23-year-old from Albany, N.Y. and 21- and 23-year-olds both from Brooklyn, N.Y. – were all arrested for theft and credit card theft.
“Evidence in the form of a credit card access device and laptop computer were seized from one of the vehicles and will be forwarded for forensic examination,” said Ostrow. “As per bail reform guidelines, all three were released on their own recognizance.”
