Crime & Safety

Former Passaic Sheriff's Employee Found with Stolen Car, Cops Say

Police say man was found with prohibited items including pepper spray and a billy club.

Parsippany Police say a former Passaic County Sheriff's Office staffer was arrested in the township last Thursday.

Wayne resident Richard Coviello, 37, faces charges of receiving stolen property, having a prohibited weapon and possession of OC (pepper) spray, according to a department statement.

Sgt. Yvonne Christiano said Officer Paul Levi was conducting random license plate checks at about 9:17 that morning when he discovered a gray Lexus RX350 reported stolen out of Rochelle Park Jan. 13. The vehicle was parked in the lot of the Ramada Inn located at  949 Route 46, she said.

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According to Christiano, police gained entry to the Lexus and found information identifying a suspect who was found in a room in the Ramada.

Police discovered that Coviello once worked for the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office. They also found a number of items in his possession: pepper spray, a billy club and an expandable police baton, along with two  law enforcement  badges from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office.

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After being arrested and charged, Christiano said Coviello was released on his own recognizance.


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