A Lakewood man has been charged with receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled dangerous substance after a license plate reader lead police to his vehicle.

Police officers were alerted by a Fairfield automated license plate reader, to the presence of a stolen 2008 black Ford Escape. Shortly thereafter, Officer Vincent Purcell spotted the suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the Target store located at 632 Route 46 East.

Officers stopped the vehicle and found the operator to be Charles N. Letizia, 59, of Lakewood.

It is alleged that he stated he borrowed the vehicle from a roommate, however, officers confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen and was still listed that way. Letizia was placed under arrest. It is further alleged that officers found suspected Oxycodone tablets in his possession.

Letizia was eventually released on his own recognizance for these charges pending an appearance in the Superior Court in Newark, N.J. He was found to have an outstanding warrant and was turned over to the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department.