Ridgewood Assists Paramus PD in Nabbing Alleged Tire Thieves

Police arrested a pair of alleged tire thieves Thursday morning.

The  received a call from a security company that two men in dark clothing were trying to steal tires off vehicles at  on Route 17 south.

helped set up a perimeter around the dealership. Paramus Ptl. Sean Nutland was the first to see the two men, who fled when they saw him, Chief Christopher Brock said.

Nutland ordered them to drop to the ground, Brock said, but one of the men, Alexis Rivera, 24, ran. Nutland took Eric Maldonado, Jr., 25, into custody, while radioing Rivera's description to other officers, Brock said.

Officers Michael Pollaro and Anthony Liggio chased Rivera behind the neighboring  and arrested him, Brock said.

After investigating, police found a black Land Rover with a car jack underneath missing a wheel. On the same car, another wheel was missing its lug nuts, Brock said.

Police charged Rivera, of Bordentown, with theft, possession of burglary tools and eluding police. He was released on $10,000 bail.

Maldonado, a Yardville resident, was charged with theft and possession of burglary tools. He was freed after posting $7,500 bail.