A trio's plan to bring beer to a lake party Tuesday didn't go very smoothly after Riverdale police caught them trying to steal $1,000 worth of kegs from a Route 23 restaurant, authorities said.
Three Middlesex County residents allegedly stole $1,000 worth of beer kegs from behind a Riverdale restaurant Tuesday morning. RIVERDALE - A trio's plan to bring beer to a lake party Tuesday didn't go smoothly after Riverdale police caught them trying to steal $1,000 worth of kegs from a Route 23 restaurant, authorities said.
Even if police hadn't intervened, the scheme would not have worked, Lt. James Macintosh said, since the three Middlesex County residents inadvertently stole kegs that were empty.
"While at headquarters, one of the suspects said they took the kegs for a party at a lake but when questioned about which lake, they suspects couldn't answer. They also did not have an answer when told that the kegs were empty and therefore not useful for a party," Macintosh said.
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Surveillance footage recorded the three stealing the kegs from the rear of the building and putting them inside of the car, Macintosh said. He said the empty kegs are valued at $100 each.
Around 11:20 a.m. Officer Gary Keil spotted a Nissan Altima parked behind the Blu Alehouse, a location that he verified with the restaurant's manager as off-limits, Macintosh said.
Upon approaching the car, he spoke with its driver, Brianna Siegel, 19, and a passenger, John Buenoguaba, 18, as well as a man standing next to the vehicle, Donald Alena, 43, Macintosh said.
Keil was assisted by Sgt. Chuck Quant and patrolman Dan Salvati, he said.
Alena of Edison, Siegel of Colonia, and Buenoguaba of Keansby were each charged with theft and conspiracy to commit theft, Macintosh said.
All three were released pending a Sept. 16 court appearance.
Kimberly Redmond may be reached at kredmond@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kr0618. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
