Stolen skid loader found

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - A township man was arrested on April 8 for possessing a stolen skid loader, according to a statement issued by Sgt. James Stoddard.

Patrick Bernard was arrested near his house after a brief foot chase, Stoddard said.

In January, Charles Yetman, of Yetman Excavating in Helmetta, reported to the Robbinsville Police Department that his skid loader was stolen. It was valued at $40,000. Later that month, the skid loader was found in Hillsborough Township.

Robbinsville police shared information with South Brunswick police that led to the arrest, according to Stoddard.

Bernard was put in the Middlesex County jail with bail set at $5,000. He was also charged with a $14,000 nonsupport warrant from Monmouth County.

"This is a significant arrest on several levels," Stoddard said. "Mr. Yetman worked hard to purchase a piece of equipment necessary for his business. Without it, his livelihood would be significantly impacted."

Stoddard also said that these thefts of construction equipment often remain unsolved, but this one was solved because of the cooperating police departments.