Serial Thief Arrested Again for DWI After Trying to Steal from Dollar Tree

Prior Arrest for Stealing

Around 7:15 PM on August 22, 2024, Officer Matthew Tavarone and Sergeant Scott Tobin with the Denville Township Police Department responded to 559 East Main Street on a report of a shoplifter attempting to drive away from Dollar Tree. Upon arrival, the officers were flagged down by an employee who told them that he was no longer concerned about the stolen items because they were able to secure the items before she left the store, but he was concerned that the woman who had attempted to steal may be impaired. The officers made contact with the female suspect, who was identified as Rebecca Sullivan. Rebecca denied being under the influence, but she was asked to perform field sobriety exercises since she was exhibiting indicators of impairment.

The first field sobriety was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Rebecca failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step, took an incorrect number of steps, and failed to turn. The second exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Rebecca failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion while putting her foot down before the test was complete. The final exercise was the Romberg test, and Rebecca estimated the passage of 25 seconds over 42 seconds.

Based on the witness account indicating she was likely impaired, her admission to driving, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Officer Tavarone placed Rebecca under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law. Since Denville’s Alcotest machine was not operational, Officer Tavarone transported Rebecca to the Parsippany Police Department for further processing.

Rebecca was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators at the station, and she agreed to submit breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.00%, but the officers believed she was under the influence of something else. She was transported back to the Denville Township Police Department and evaluated by Sheriff Joseph Abrusci, a DRE. Sheriff Abrusci determined that Rebecca was impaired. Rebecca was eventually released to her mother pending her court appearance after she signed the Potential Liability Warning form on her behalf. Officer Tavarone issued Rebecca the following citations: Operating under the influence, reckless driving, and careless driving

Court records indicate that on December 20, 2023, Rebecca had previously been arrested for stealing about $300 worth of items at the T.J. Maxx in Totowa, New Jersey. She has also had numerous other run-ins with the law prior to that incident.

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