Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose reports the arrest of Joseph Maluta, Jr., 59, of Middletown, New Jersey for an incident of illegal dumping today.
Police said shortly before 5:30 p.m., members of the Illegal Dumping Task Force were conducting surveillance at 2052 McCarter Highway, a known illegal dumping location where an Illegal Dumping enforcement sign is placed.
Police observed a man in a white uniform delivery truck remove two large bags from the truck and placing them on the ground next to other refuse.
Police immediately arrested the suspect, Joseph Maluta, Jr. according to police officials.
Maluta is charged with Illegal Dumping and Illegal Transport of Solid Waste, and the vehicle he was driving for Domestic Uniform Rental of Belleville was towed.
These charges are merely accusations. The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Police said the illegally dumped bags contained two 5-gallon containers of gas where members of the Newark Fire Division’s Haz-Mat and Arson Units responded to remove the containers.
The Illegal Dumping Task Force has made over 50 arrests since its inception on June 12, 2017.
Director Ambrose urges anyone with information about any incident of illegal dumping within the City of Newark to call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867).
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.