METUCHEN — A Newark man was arrested and charged with stealing from his workplace.
Larry L. Tobias, 39, was arrested on Oct. 16 at 3:25 a.m. on charges of theft and eluding police after he was found with 11 spools of copper wire, valued at $476, which were missing from Brazill Brother Associates Inc. on Liberty Street.
Tobias was employed by Brazill Brothers as a wire cutter, borough police officer David Liantonio said. Tobias was at work when police came to the business at the request of the owner.
Tobias attempted to leave through the back door and drive away in his 1994 Mitsubishi when he saw the police enter the business, Liantonio said.
The police followed Tobias out of Liberty Street and onto Central Avenue where the suspect’s car broke down, Liantonio said.
The car was smoking and Tobias slammed on the brakes, police said. The spools of copper that were in the trunk of Tobias’ car knocked down the back seat and flew into the rear of the vehicle when he stopped the car quickly, Liantonio said.
"Everything was in plain view at that point," Liantonio said.
Bail was set for Tobias at $5,000 with no 10-percent option. There was a warrant out for his arrest from Essex County, police said.
Tobias was transported to Essex County jail, Newark, Liantonio said.
— Maura Dowgin