JACKSON – A Lakewood man has been arrested and charged with Theft after attempting to steal material from a construction site Sunday morning, police said.
Around 3:40 a.m., Officer Randall Trasky from the Jackson Township Police Department was conducting a security check of a construction site located on East Veterans Highway which is currently not open to the public. There he observed a parked car and went to investigate it.
Officer Curtis Nagel arrived to assist, and the two officers met a man who was holding pieces of metal taken from a large rental refuse container. Additionally, they observed a large quantity of metal and construction material near the man’s car.
It was determined by officers that the man did not have the property owner’s consent to be on the construction site or to be taking items.
The man, who was later identified as 26-year-old Simcha Labovitz of Lakewood, was advised by officers to return the items to the dumpster. Labovitz was told to contact the property owner for permission to remove any construction material from the site.
According to police, Labovitz started arguing stating that he was not doing anything criminal and would not be putting the items back. During this encounter, officers gave Labovitz contact information for the property owner but he refused to accept.
Labovitz continued to argue with officers and proceeded to call 911. After learning what Labovitz was calling for, the 911 dispatcher confirmed that he did not have permission to be on the property taking any items.
His call was transferred to Jackson Police Headquarters where he spoke with the on-duty watch commander. Labovitz was told to return the items and he would not be arrested. However, he elected to be arrested, police said.
After officers arrested Labovitz, they seized a small clear glass pipe with residue which is commonly used to smoke controlled dangerous substances.
Labovitz was charged with theft and possession of drug paraphernalia and released on summons pending a court appearance. Additional charges may be pending in this investigation yet.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
