Two Arrested Following Hospital Center Theft

A cautionary tale to would-be thieves: If you're going to break into a building, make sure your name isn't written on the tools you use for the job.

Andrea Bove, 50, of Totowa, and Nicholas Mecca, 42, of Verona, were arrested last night at the old Essex County Hospital Center on Fairview Avenue in Cedar Grove and charged with burglary, theft, possession of burglary tools and conspiracy, Sheriff's Department officials said Thursday.

While on a routine patrol of the old hospital grounds, which is a frequent haunt of vandals and thieves, Cedar Grove Police officers noticed an open door on the center's administration building at 8:40 p.m. Wednesday.

After contacting the Essex County Sheriff's Department, police from both agencies discovered two lengths of freshly cut copper pipe behind an open door, and a bucket of tools nearby. A hacksaw in the bucket was inscribed with the words "A. Bove" in black magic marker, authorities said.

As police prepared to search the rest of the building, the suspects emerged from a nearby wooded area. When questioned, police say both men voluntarily admitted to removing the copper pipes.

Cedar Grove Municipal Court Judge Nicholas Brindisi set bail at $15,000 for both suspects, who were lodged at the Essex County Jail in Newark where they await a court appearance Friday.