Hoboken Man Caught Stealing Baby Food for Special Needs Child
A 42-year-old Hoboken man with a special needs child was allegedly caught attempting to steal baby food from a supermarket. According to a news report in The Jersey Journal, the alleged theft occurred at the ShopRite on Madison Street in Hoboken. Officials say the man paid for some items while attempting to hide $70 worth of baby food in the carriage of his child. A Loss Prevention Specialist at the ShopRite let the man off with a warning. It is not clear if he will be charged with theft.
The penalties individuals might face for shoplifting are directly related to the value of the items stolen. Under New Jersey law, it is a disorderly persons offense to shoplift items with a retail value of $200 or less. Penalties for a disorderly persons shoplifting offense in New Jersey typically includes at least 10 days of community service for a first offense, 15 days of community service for a second offense, and possible mandatory jail time for a third offense.
The charges and penalties for shoplifting increase when the value of the stolen items is calculated at over $200. For example, it is a fourth-degree crime to take items valued greater than $200 and less than $500. A skilled criminal defense attorney will look at the way the values of the items were calculated as well as the intentions of the defendants.
Anyone facing shoplifting charges in New Jersey would be well advised to contact a skilled criminal defense lawyer in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein. We have experience negotiating lesser penalties and having wrongful charges dismissed. Please call (609) 240-0040 today to schedule your free and comprehensive consultation.
