On May 9, 2008 officers took a report of a tractor trailer theft from the 1300 block of E. Elizabeth Ave. A 2001 Mack tractor and a Great Dane reefer trailer with $12,000 of pastries were stolen. The officers discovered broken glass in the street where the vehicle had been parked. The tractor and trailer were recovered two days later in Newark. Detective Frank Leporino, Auto Squad detective, recovered evidence in the tractor which he had submitted to the State Police Office of Forensic Science DNA Laboratory. In October of 2008, the detective received a "hit" on the DNA evidence submitted. It was matched to a convicted offender, Pedro G. Arias, male, age 61, of Elizabeth. The detective then requested a court order to obtain a DNA swab from Mr. Arias for matching purposes. In September of 2009, the detective learned that Mr. Arias was incarcerated and was able to obtain a DNA sample. On January 15, 2010 the detective received a confirmation from the State Police Lab that both DNA samples were a "match". Based on this finding, and after a 20 month-long investigation, complaints were authorized for 3rd degree Receiving Stolen Property and 3rd degree Burglary against Mr. Arias. Bail was set at $35,000.00 by Judge Louis M. Dileo Jr. Mr. Arias, who was in the Union County Jail on unspecified charges, was served with the new complaints pending a court date set for January 25, 2010.

Detective Lieutenant James Sarnicki

908-474-8551

ALL SUSPECTS ARRESTED ARE CONSIDERED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.