Stanhope Man Sentenced For Damaging 40 Garbage Trucks
Saturday, January 4, 2025, 6:15 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
NEWTON, NJ.- On Friday, January 3, 2025, Robert Bechaud, 59, of Stanhope Borough, New Jersey, appeared in Sussex County Superior Court in Newton, New Jersey, and was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Janine M. Allen to a term of three years of probation, conditioned of him serving 236 days in the Sussex County Jail, and was given credit for that time already served.
In addition to the probation term, Judge Allen ordered Bechaud to submit to DNA sampling and ordered him to pay $405 in mandatory fees. Bechaud will be subject to a future court hearing to assess his ability to pay restitution for the damage he caused.
Investigation Identifies Bechaud
The sentence stems from an investigation in May 2024, when the New Jersey State Police were notified that multiple garbage trucks, other vehicles, and equipment had been damaged at the Waste Management Facility in Lafayette Township, New Jersey. Based on the investigation, Detectives identified Bechaud as the individual responsible for damaging over forty garbage trucks and support vehicles owned by Waste Management.
Bechaud was ultimately arrested and charged and later pleaded guilty to third-degree Burglary; third-degree Criminal Mischief; and third-degree Endangering Another Person for causing damage by breaking windows, cutting fuel and brake lines, and discharging fire extinguishers inside the vehicles.
