MILLSTONE: Two charged in thefts from landscaping businesses

MILLSTONE — The New Jersey State Police have arrested two men for allegedly stealing more than $19,000 worth of landscaping equipment in over two dozen thefts from local businesses and residents.
Detective Guiseppe Diodati and Trooper Jared Boyd from the Hamilton Station arrested Eugene Reeves, 26, of Freehold, and Zachariah Famula, of Manalapan, in connection with 24 separate investigations in the Hamilton Station patrol area, according to a news release.
The investigation began on May 27 when the owner of Elite Landscaping in Allentown reported a burglary and theft of a backpack blower, multiple chainsaws, and other landscaping equipment.
Through various investigative means, Detective Diodati and Trooper Boyd discovered that over the course of four months, Mr. Reeves and Mr. Famula sold more than $19,000 worth of landscaping and yard equipment to a pawn shop in Pennsylvania. The investigators were able to positively identify multiple items in the pawn shop that had previously been reported stolen. Additionally, they were able to provide information about thefts of over $100,000 worth of stolen landscaping equipment to several local police departments. This information is helping solve similar crimes in these areas, and additional charges are possible.
On June 19, with the assistance of the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit, Detective Diodati and Trooper Boyd arrested Mr. Famula in Manalapan during a motor vehicle stop. When investigators searched the car, they discovered a stash of stolen landscaping equipment, burglary tools, Suboxone, and a hypodermic needle. Mr. Famula was charged with receiving stolen property, possession of a hypodermic needle, possession of Suboxone, and burglary tools. He was taken to Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $30,000 full cash bail.
On July 1, Mr. Reeves was charged with burglary and theft and bail was set at $10,000 with a 10 percent option. He was served the complaints at the Monmouth County Jail where he was being lodged on an unrelated charge.