North Arlington police thwart $273,000 frozen seafood theft

North Arlington Police intercepted an attempted theft of frozen seafood valued at more than $273,000. The incident occurred on October 3 when officers responded to reports of suspicious activity involving cargo from a refrigerated tractor-trailer.

Authorities state that a fake freight broker used phone calls and text messages to instruct a truck driver to transfer portions of the shipment during a stop in North Arlington. Upon arrival, 18-year-old Jonathan Pollaguari of the Bronx and a juvenile were observed loading pallets of shrimp, salmon, conch meat, and branzino into a 26-foot box truck.

The truck driver grew suspicious of the situation and contacted the police. Officers secured the scene and prevented the seafood from being removed. Pollaguari faces multiple charges, including second-degree theft by deception.