Hasbrouck Heights detectives tracked down a Little Falls man who they said smashed his way out of a Route 17 fitness center carrying a stolen money clip with $250 after a locker room struggle.
The victim emerged from the shower in a towel at Quest Fitness Gym on Sept. 11 to find Samuel Tirone, 42, popping open his locker, Detective Lt. Michael Colaneri Jr. told Daily Voice this afternoon.
A struggled ensued and the 6-foot Tirone bolted, Colaneri said.
An employee tried grabbing him, but Tirone smashed his way out the front glass doors, got into a car and took off, he said.
Forensic detectives from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Identification processed the scene.
Witnesses also got a license plate number, Colaneri said.
Although Tirone’s last known address was his parents’ foreclosed home, detectives found him at his sister’s house in Little Falls around 10:30, he said.
He was being transported this afternoon to the Bergen County Jail, where a judge ordered him held on $100,000 bail, charged with robbery, burglary, theft, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools.
Borough detectives notified Rutherford police, who had a similar crime that they believe Tirone committed. Additional charges were expected.
MUGSHOT: Courtesy HASBROUCK HEIGHTS PD
