East Orange Man Charged With Theft of Power Washer

A surveillance camera from a neighboring business helped police identify and arrest an East Orange man charged with stealing from a Route 22 business.

David Carroway, 52, of East Orange, has been charged with theft in connection with the June 25 incident at Gray’s Florist.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed on Monday in Superior Court, police responded to the longtime Watchung business on a report that a power washer valued at $600 had been stolen from a greenhouse at about 7:20 p.m. June 25.

Police then went next door to Crown Cadillac to look at surveillance tape and saw a bald man wearing a hoodie hanging around the car dealership, then walking over to Gray’s Florist. The man then returned, dragging a power washer which he then loaded into a Mercury Mountaineer and drove away, the affidavit said.

Watchung police then prepared a bulletin with a picture of the suspect and the vehicle, which was then sent to other police departments.

Woodbridge police then contacted Watchung and said their officers could identify Carroway and the vehicle, subjects of their own investigation, the affidavit said.

When Woodbridge police arrested Carroway, officers found a hoodie matching the one the man in the surveillance tape was wearing. The officers also found the Mercury Mountaineer.