Suspected valve thief arrested again by police

METUCHEN - Police arrested Michael M. Ruiz, 20, of Edison for the second time on May 5 and charged him with three more counts of theft of brass backflow valves from businesses and residences in the borough.

Ruiz was first arrested and charged on April 18 with 15 counts of theft of brass backflow valves and sprinkler system pumps from businesses and residences in the borough. The total amount of victim loss in all of the thefts accounted for $5,850 in stolen parts.

A brass backflow valve, valued at $2,500, was stolen from a Bridge Street business between Oct. 31, 2007, and May 5, 2008; another one was stolen from a Beacon Hill Drive residence between 3 p.m. April 23 and 11:12 a.m. May 5; and a brass backflow valve, valued at $250, was stolen from a Graham Avenue residence at 11:01 a.m. May 5.

Ruiz was released on his own recognizance, police said.

Any Metuchen residents who find that they were also victims should contact Detective James Connolly at (732) 632-8501.

- Kathy Chang