On Sunday, December 17th, at approximately 3:52 p.m., Roselle Park Police Department (RPPD) officers responded to the 300 block of West Clay Avenue on a report of a theft.
Once on scene, officers located a 22-year-old male who told the police that he had gone to the area in order to meet and sell a pair of expensive used sneakers to an individual he met on an online application. A short time after arriving, he was met by an unknown juvenile male who did not identify himself and, after looking at the sneakers, grabbed them and ran, entering a waiting vehicle that quickly fled the area.
Officers from Roselle and Roselle Park were able to locate the suspect vehicle on East Second Avenue in Roselle with two occupants still inside.
One of the two occupants was positively identified as the suspect who had taken the sneakers. The 17-year-old male from North Brunswick was placed under arrest. The sneakers were later recovered by police. The juvenile was charged with theft and released into the custody of a relative with a future court date.
Residents are reminded about the recently implemented Internet purchase exchange location at in the Roselle Park Police Municipal Lot that is for interested parties to safely complete a transaction when buying, selling, or trading items from different social media groups.
The location has been designated in the parking lot directly in front of police headquarters. The area is monitored by 24-hour video surveillance. In the event of cold or inclement weather, the parties can enter the lobby of police headquarters, which is also under 24 hour surveillance.
“Internet Purchase Exchange Location provides a safe and secure environment to complete these types of transactions,” said Police Chief Paul W. Morrison.
The Chief also advises residents to try to complete their transactions locally, in person, during daylight hours and to avoid any transaction that involves a wire transfer service or receiving funds in the form of a check or money order in excess of your sale price.