Nutley Man Arrested in Connection with Theft of Car From Senior Center Parking Lot

Working with their counterparts from Lyndhurst, Nutley police have arrested a township man for a series of July auto theft.

On Monday, Nutley police announced that following a joint criminal investigation with Lyndhurst Detectives, Nutley detectives issued an arrest warrant for Michael R Ruggiero, 22, of Nutley, for theft of a motor vehicle and auto burglaries committed at 7 William St. on July 20 at 1 a.m.

Police say Ruggiero was seen checking unlocked doors of motor vehicles in the Senior Citizen Building parking lot. During the course of the auto burglaries he found a set of car keys that he used to steal the victim’s vehicle.

Police charged Ruggiero with two counts of receiving stolen property, 3rd degree, two counts of theft, 3rd degree and burglary, 3rd degree. 

Nutley police said Ruggiero is being held in the Bergen County Jail for outstanding warrants.

Nutley Mayor Alphonse Petracco and Police Department Chief John Holland commended the detectives who led the investigation.