Two Women Arrested for Shoplifting from Supermarket
Two Jersey City women, ages 21 and 24, were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting after allegedly hiding $200 worth of items in a baby stroller at a ShopRite. According to a news report in The Jersey Journal, the shoplifting incident occurred at the store on Avenue C in Bayonne. Officials say a security guard noticed the women putting merchandise into various compartments in a stroller and when the women attempted to leave the store without paying for the items, they were detained. One of the women was arrested because of an outstanding warrant and the other was released on a summons.
New Jersey Statute 2C:20-11 states, "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," can be considered a crime.
The severity of the charges for shoplifting in New Jersey usually depends on the value of the items taken and the criminal history of the defendant. Typically, when the calculated value of the items in question is less than $200, the resulting charge will be a disorderly persons offense. It is a crime of the fourth degree to take items valued between $200 and $500. A skilled defense attorney will review how the estimated value of the items was calculated. A knowledgeable lawyer will also look into what evidence the authorities have, which proves that the items were intentionally taken.
A criminal defense lawyer in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein has a proven track record of handling similar cases throughout New Jersey. If you or a loved one has been accused of shoplifting or theft, please contact our law offices at (609) 240-0040 to find out how we can help.
