Two New Brunswick sanitation workers threatened to discontinue garbage service after the employee confronted them for stealing water.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Two City sanitation workers were arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly stealing bottles of water from a bakery and then threatening to discontinue the business' garbage service when confronted by an employee, officials said in a statement.
Tyrone Brown, 46, and Traquan Newsom, 31, both of New Brunswick, entered Gaby's Bakery on Joyce Kilmer Avenue at around 9 a.m. on Monday and stole three bottles of water, according to police.
After the two workers left the store, a female employee went outside and confronted the workers, who, according to officials, "argued with her and stated they would no longer pick up her garbage if she did not allow them to have the waters."
Both of the men were on duty at the time of the theft, the statement said.
They were arrested at the city Department of Public Works building on Jersey Avenue without incident, police said in the statement. They were both charged with theft by extortion and later released on their own recognizance.
In the statement, City Mayor Jim Cahill highlighted the severity of the allegations and said the two workers had been placed on suspension without pay.
"Allegations of wrongdoing by our employees are taken very seriously, as all City staff are expected to perform their duties with respect for the community they serve," Cahill said. "The employees involved have been placed on suspension without pay while the police department continues its investigation."
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.