Macaroni salad trail leads to arrest for 3

A trail of macaroni salad led police investigators in Livingston County to three suspected burglars on Sunday.

Deputies of the Livingston County Sheriff's Office responded to a burglary at Build-A-Burger Restaurant in Mt. Morris at 6:30 a.m., after the owners reported their surveillance system and cash register were missing.

The investigation led police to the Greenway Trail, a hiking and biking path, where they found cash register parts, surveillance system parts, rubber gloves, loose change and "a steady trail of macaroni salad," according to a news release issued by the office.

"It was later discovered that the suspects stole a large bowl of macaroni salad, which they took turns eating, along their escape route," the statement read.

The suspects were in custody by early afternoon.

Matthew P. Sapetko, 34, of Mt. Morris; James P. Marullo, 35, of Mt. Morris, and Timothy S. Walker Jr., 23, from Idaho, were charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree grand larceny. Walker also faces charges for criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument.

They were arraigned and committed to Livingston County Jail, according to police.

Walker's and Sapetko's bail were set at $7,500 cash and $15,000 bond, respectively. Marullo is being held on no bail, due to prior felony convictions.

DANDREATTA@Gannett.com