Serial Shoplifter Arrested Again at Hoboken ShopRite for Stealing 2 Bags of Chicken

Around 5:00 PM on March 7, 2024, Officers Alexander Miller and Jason Montalvo with the Hoboken Police Department responded to a report of an aggressive shoplifting suspect at ShopRite on 900 Madison Street. As Officer Miller arrived in the parking lot, he made contact with the shoplifting suspect in front of the store after he had been detained by Loss Prevention employees. He was identified as 57-year-old Joseph, and he had previously been banned from entering that ShopRite after another shoplifting incident.

Based on his aggression, Lieutenant Butler also arrived on scene to assist. The loss prevention officer informed Officer Montalvo that the man paid for 2 bags of chicken, while attempting to leave the store with 4 bags of chicken. Officer Miller walked upstairs to the loss prevention office and reviewed the surveillance footage indicating that he was trespassing and shoplifting. Based on the accounts of the Loss Prevention officers, Joseph was placed under arrest at 5:16 PM. He was handcuffed, searched, and escorted to the patrol car.

Officers Miller and Allegretta transported Joseph to the Hoboken Police Department for further processing. At police HQ, he was searched in more detail. Officer Miller finger printed and photographed him. He was subsequently charged with shoplifting (2C:20-11B(1)) and Defiant Trespassing (2C:18-3B(1) and released with a summons pending his court appearance.

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