SPARTA TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – A Sussex County man is accused of stealing a generator and a gas can during the Sparta Elks July 4th Parade setup.
On July 4, at around 7:46 a.m., an officer responded to the Mohawk Avenue school for a report of a theft that had just occurred during the setup for the annual July 4th parade, police said.
Upon arrival, the officer met with the complainant, who was a member of the Sparta Elks Club, and told police that their generator and a 5-gallon gas can had been stolen from the above location, police said.
Officers obtained surveillance footage from the area which revealed a male, who was later identified as Daniel Waitzman 65, of Sparta Township, driving his pickup truck in the vicinity of the school. He was observed taking the generator and placing it in the bed of his truck before fleeing the scene, police said.
Waitzman was arrested at his residence, for the theft of the generator and the gas can. The stolen property was still in the bed of his pickup truck when he was arrested, police said.
Waitzman was charged with theft of movable property and released pending a court appearance. The stolen items were returned to the Sparta Elks Club, police said.
“We are grateful for the swift action of the Sparta Police Department,” said a spokesperson for the Sparta Elks Club. “The generator is essential for powering various aspects during the parade”
“Despite this incident, the July 4th parade proceeded as planned and was a great success,” police said.
