the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, authorities in Bergen County have arrested a former Parks Department employee after uncovering a large-scale theft operation involving county-owned tools, heavy equipment, and firearms.
Investigation Uncovers Stolen Equipment and Illegal Firearms
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad launched an inquiry in January after an audit revealed that multiple pieces of equipment were missing from the Bergen County Department of Parks. The investigation led detectives to Charles T. Gatt, 44, of Sparta, a former county employee suspected of the thefts.
Search warrants were executed at Gatt’s home, various vehicles, and another property in Sparta, leading to the recovery of stolen tools and heavy equipment. Among the stolen items were:
✅ A woodchipper
✅ A 20-foot trailer
✅ Various county-owned tools
Additionally, authorities discovered 17 unregistered firearms at Gatt’s residence, including a loaded and unsecured handgun, posing a serious safety risk.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Gatt faces multiple charges, including:
🔹 Second-degree theft
🔹 Second-degree receiving stolen property
🔹 Second-degree endangering the welfare of a child
🔹 Fourth-degree possession of a firearm by a certain person
Following his February 11 arrest, Gatt was booked into the Bergen County Jail and is awaiting a court appearance in Hackensack.
Multi-Agency Investigation
The operation was carried out with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies, including police departments from Hasbrouck Heights, Paramus, Saddle River, Tenafly, Upper Saddle River, and Sparta.
Final Thoughts
This case highlights the importance of routine audits and investigations in uncovering illegal activities. With the cooperation of multiple agencies, authorities successfully recovered stolen property and prevented further misuse of unregistered firearms. As the legal proceedings unfold, this case serves as a warning against theft and unlawful firearm possession.
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Remember 15 years ago, we had a guy who stole multiple items from the villager Ridgewood, we believe he was the superintendent of parks, and they are still looking for a small tractor, allegedly he sold it to someone, so the person who bought it bought a stolen item. Amazing.