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The three separate thefts occurred between 8-8:45 a.m. Tuesday, Detective Capt. Darren Sucorowski said this morning.
Two 14-year-old boys told police that they were approached while walking on Outwater Lane near Chestnut Street.
Sucorowski said Kevin Acosta asked to borrow a cellphone, then drove off with it.
Acosta then asked a 17-year-old boy on Palisade Avene near the Garfield High School parking lot for directions, the captain said. As the boy searched his phone, Acosta snatched it and took off again, he said.
He then approached a 16-year-old boy and his friend on Van Winkle Avenue, asked to use a phone, then made off with it, Sucorowski said.
“None of the victims were threatened or injured during any of the thefts,” he said.
Detectives obtained surveillance video from the high school to get the license plate of Acosta’s car.
Late yesterday morning, with help from their Clifton colleagues, Garfield police stopped Acosta’s white 2006 Acura TL near the corner of Lexington and Russell avenues in Clifton.
Two of the phones were recovered, and Acosta was arrested.
Acosta was being held on $25,000 bail in the Bergen County Jail, charged with three counts of theft.
MUGSHOT: Courtesy GARFIELD PD
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