16-Year-Old Charged With Stealing Mail From Local Businesses: Police

WALL, NJ — A 16-year-old from Garfield was arrested on Saturday after he was found with stolen mail from local businesses, Wall Police said.

The teen — whose identity has not been released — was arrested around 9 p.m. near Industrial Road, police said. The area has seen a recent increase in mail theft, according to authorities.

The teen was apprehended after Wall Police Detective Michael Cacciatore saw him "acting suspicious," police said.

Once the teen saw Cacciatore, authorities said he dropped a bag he was carrying and refused to stop walking, though he was later caught and arrested.

An investigation into the incident found that the teen was in possession of mail belonging to multiple businesses throughout the area, police said.

He was charged with trespassing, obstruction, and 23 counts of theft, according to authorities.

The teen was processed and later released into his mother's custody.