Trio Tried Stealing Ice Cream Machine From Restaurant In South Jersey: Police

WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ — A South Jersey restaurant nearly suffered a worse fate than the ice cream machine being broken.

Three people were charged after authorities say they tried to steal a commercial ice cream maker early Wednesday from Big Daddy's Seafood & Rib Ranch in Williamstown.

Two Monroe Township patrol officers saw suspicious activity by the restaurant at 4:25 a.m. Wednesday. Believing a burglary was in progress, the officers called additional units to the scene.

Police say they found three people actively trying to take the restaurant's ice cream maker.

The suspects — Keith Blackwell, Brian Hoskins and Nicole Figueroa — were arrested at the scene. They remain jailed, pending future legal proceedings.

Further investigation found that Blackwell stole items from the business on multiple occasions, police said.

Blackwell, 65, of Gloucester City, was charged with burglary, theft, criminal mischief, conspiracy, criminal attempt, and possession of burglary tools.

Hoskins, 42, of Woodbury, was charged with criminal attempt, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools.

Figueroa, 41, of Camden, was charged with conspiracy and hindering apprehension.

Big Daddy's Seafood has operated for more than 20 years. It is located along the Black Horse Pike in Williamstown.