Jose Rodriguez, Theft of Government Property, New Jersey 2023

NEWARK, N.J. – In a case of brazen theft and resale, a senior engineer and repairman at Amtrak has been charged with stealing and selling over $50,000 worth of chainsaws and chainsaw parts, primarily through an online auction service.

Jose Rodriguez, 48, of Brick, New Jersey, is charged with one count of theft from an agency receiving federal funds and one count of theft of government property. Rodriguez is scheduled to appear via videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court.

Rodriguez, an Amtrak employee since October 2007, used his position to obtain 77 chainsaws, 103 bars, and 163 chains from Amtrak between August 2016 and July 2020. He then sold most of the stolen items to purchasers throughout the United States using an online auction service.

According to the complaint, Rodriguez directly contacted one purchaser on multiple occasions, offering to sell chainsaws and parts the day before or the same day that Rodriguez picked up chainsaws and parts from Amtrak. Agents recovered several chainsaws that Rodriguez sold, which had serial numbers matching Amtrak’s chainsaws. One of those chainsaws had previously been reported stolen by Amtrak.

The offenses charged in the complaint each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited detectives from Amtrak Police New York Division and Mid-Atlantic Division, under the direction of Chief Sam Dotson, and special agents from Amtrak Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Waters, Eastern Field Office, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cari Fais and Jeffrey Manis of the Office’s Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant: Jose Rodriguez

Criminal Charges: One count of theft from an agency receiving federal funds and one count of theft of government property

City and State: Newark, New Jersey

Date: [No specific date mentioned in the source]

Sentence or Outcome: Currently scheduled to appear via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court

Dollar Amounts: Over $50,000 worth of stolen chainsaws and chainsaw parts

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