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North Plainfield Police Department

Press Release

Chief William Parenti

December 1, 2010 

North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti announced the arrest of two men on Tuesday afternoon, November 30, 2010, in connection with the theft of a spool of electrical wire from a Pearl Street business.   

Police were first alerted to a possible theft from the business shortly before 1:00 pm when an area resident alerted police she observed an unknown male walking out from a storage yard carrying a spool of electrical wire.  Responding officers spoke with a business representative and checked the area to no avail.

Approximately an hour later police received another call from an employee of the same establishment reporting that two subjects just attempted to take another spool of wire from the rear of the business.  The employee gave police a description of both the actors and the vehicle they fled in when she confronted them.   Officer Ryan Mote, observed a vehicle fitting the description several blocks away.  He stopped the vehicle and it was immediately apparent that the occupants also matched the description of the suspects. A positive identification was made of the suspects by two witnesses a short time later.     

Further investigation by Officer Mote and Detective Florek led to Lawrence Dicks, 42 years of age, of Pineview Terrace, Plainfield, being charged with 3rd degree theft; and Norman Johnson Jr, 49 years of age, of Terrill Road, Plainfield, being charged with 3rd degree theft and 3rd degree attempted theft. Both defendants were lodged in Somerset County Jail in lieu of $20,000.00 bail.   

Chief Parenti also said:  “This is an illustration of the partnership we have built with the public.  The employee did a great job providing a description in a timely manner and Officer Mote’s diligent and alert patrol resulted in an immediate apprehension.” 

Note:  We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.