New Jersey Man Suspected of Running Shoplifting Ring
Authorities in New Jersey are searching for a 36-year-old man who they believe is the leader of a shoplifting ring. According to an ABC 6 news report, officials determined the identity of the alleged "leader" who reportedly assaulted a police officer while stealing a television from the K-Mart on Blackwood-Clementon Road in Gloucester Township. But they have not arrested him. Police have been able to track down and arrest two women, ages 30 and 28, who they believe conspired with the man to steal items from multiple locations. The two women face conspiracy charges.
New Jersey law makes it a crime "for any person purposely to take possession of, carry away, transfer or cause to be carried away or transferred, any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of the possession, use or benefit of such merchandise or converting the same to the use of such person without paying to the merchant the full retail value thereof."
Shoplifting charges are directly related to the number and monetary value of items stolen and the criminal history of the defendant. Shoplifting charges can become even more serious when the authorities suspect that the crime involved multiple individuals. A "shoplifting ring" involves individuals who work together to obtain items. Charges such as conspiracy may be added on top of the already severe shoplifting charges, increasing the penalties faced by the defendant.
The experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to fight these charges. Anyone facing shoplifting charges in New Jersey would be well advised to call our offices at 609-240-0040 before discussing the case with the authorities.
