Paulsboro police followed leads on Facebook to catch rock salt thieves who tried to sell stolen rock salt during the blizzard.
PAULSBORO -- Detectives in the borough utilized a community Facebook group to solve a theft this week.
The owner of Wagos Salt Distributor, located on Delaware Avenue, reported approximately 180 bags of salt, worth about $800, was stolen over the past few weeks in multiple burglaries. In the first instance two pallets were taken, according to police, and the robbers returned at least twice more afterwards.
Through the investigation police became aware that posts in a neighborhood awareness Facebook group listed bags of salt for $5 or $10 with a phone number. Officers were subsequently able to link those selling the salt to the burglaries.
Isaiah Marshall, 20 of Wenonah, and James Delano, 21 of Mantua, were both arrested and charged with burglary and theft of moveable property. Delano was released pending court and Marshall was placed in Salem County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail.
Any resident who purchased the rock salt from one of these individuals and still has unopened bags is asked to return it to the police department so it can be returned to the victim.
So far 30 bags of salt have been recovered.
Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.