Thief breaks into warehouse
Monday, March 30, 2009

A burglar ransacked a Downtown Jersey City warehouse over the weekend, damaging several vending machines and making off with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, officials said.

Police responded to a call of a burglary between 11:30 p.m. Friday and 4:30 a.m. Saturday at Statco Warehouse Co, Inc. at 301 16th Street in Jersey City, reports said.

The burglar climbed six feet to break a window at the rear of the building and then forced open an interior door, reports said.

The manager told police that around 100 companies store merchandise at the warehouse until it is ready for shipment, police said.

The burglar damaged at least four vending machines, using a hammer and large clippers to try to remove money, reports said.

Several offices were also ransacked, reports said.

The manager said the damage and stolen property totaled about $10,000, reports said.

CHARLES HACK