AC Parts Stolen From Route 46 Businesses

A Totowa man has been accused of stealing air-conditioning equipment from three Route 46 businesses on Sunday, said.

George Hatoum, 31, was arrested Monday and charged with criminal mischief and theft, police said.

According to police, the owner of Hunan Noodle House said air-conditioning repair company workers at the restaurant fixing a broken climate-control system said all of the system's copper parts had been removed.

Officer Edmund Ailara then spoke to the owners of nearby J.C.’s Italian Bakery and Aahar Restaurant, who reported they were experiencing problems with their air-conditioning and refrigeration units, police said.

The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division joined the investigation at the scene, police said, along with Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire District 6, which assisted officers with accessing the building's roof. On the roof, officers found the air conditioning and refrigeration units at the bakery and restaurant were missing their copper parts as well.

The air conditioning and refrigeration units were damaged beyond repair when the parts were removed and are expected to cost approximately $4,000 each to replace, police said.

The investigation by Det. Joseph Puso of the PPD’s Investigative Division led authorities to Hatoum, police said.

Hatoum was released pending a court appearance.