NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Two city employees were arrested on charges of “theft by extortion” on the morning of July 19, according to a press release from the New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD).

Tyrone Brown, age 46, and Traquan Newsom, age 31, have been suspended from their jobs as sanitation workers within the city’s Department of Public Works, according to the release.

In a bizarre incident on July 18, the two men allegedly stole three bottles of water from the Gaby’s Bakery location on Joyce Kilmer Avenue at about 9:10am.

“When the two suspects left the store with the water they were confronted by one of the store employees who claimed that one of the workers argued with her and stated they would no longer pick up her garbage if she did not allow them to have the waters,” reads the press release.

After the charges were filed by detectives, the two sanitation employees were arrested the following morning at the Department of Public Works headquarters at 400 Jersey Avenue, before being released on their own recognizance.

“Allegations of wrongdoing by our employees are taken very seriously, as all City staff are expected to perform their duties with respect for the community they serve,” said Mayor Jim Cahill.

“The employees involved have been placed on suspension without pay while the police department continues its investigation.”

Brown and Newsom are at least the second and third city employees to be arrested this year, along with city firefighter Richard Patterson.

As we reported previously, four valets working for the city’s Parking Authority were arrested and charged in a scheme where they allegedly collected and pocketed cash from customers in exchange for letting them park in a closed facility, and then bribed others at the agency to keep it quiet.

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.