NJ Man Who Stole $12K From Gas Station Found States Away: Cops

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County man accused of stealing more than $12,000 from a Morris County gas station was found on the run in Connecticut, according to police.

Albert W. Smith, 57, of Newark, was arrested on Oct. 16 in Connecticut and extradited back to New Jersey on Nov. 3.

On Oct. 12, police were called to a Shell gas station in Flanders on a report of a burglary. A Shell employee told authorities that $12,400 had been stolen from the gas station’s safe.

An investigation revealed that Smith had stolen the money, and authorities had reason to believe the 57-year-old fled to Hartford, Connecticut, police said.

Mt. Olive Police contacted Hartford authorities, who found and arrested Smith soon after.

Once extradited back to New Jersey, Smith was lodged in the Essex County Correctional Facility to await court proceedings.

He is charged with burglary, theft of movable property, and transporting property known to be derived from criminal activity.