Partners in Crime Steal Over $500 Worth From Target

Around 7:22 PM on January 1, 2025, Officers Peter DeSerres and Wilson Morales with the Township of Union Police Department were dispatched to Target (2960 Route 22 East) on a report of 2 shoplifters who were being detained in the loss prevention office. They arrived on scene around 7:28 PM and made contact with both thieves in the Asset Protection office.

The suspects identified themselves as Chemani Linton and Tro’Vonta Burgess, but they both lied to the officers by providing them with false dates of birth. They were both placed under arrest for shoplifting and transported together to the Township of Union Police Department. At the station, they were photographed, fingerprinted, and advised of their charges.

It was later determined that the total value of the health, beauty, and cleaning products that they attempted to steal from Target was $500.61. Both Chemani and Tro’Vonta were charged with shoplifting under 2C:20-11B(2) and hindering by providing false information (2C:29-3B(4)). After the officers finished processing them at the station, they were both released with summonses pending their court appearances.

Court records indicate that on June 12, 2025, Tro’Vonta’s charge of shoplifting was downgraded to disorderly conduct (Ordinance 250-1), while his hindering charge was dismissed. As a result of his conviction, Tro’Vonta had to pay a total of $1,033 in fines. Tro’Vonta has previously been arrested for shoplifting (2C:20-11B(1)) in Union Township, NJ on November 14, 2019.

As far as Chemani’s charges, her shoplifting charge was also downgraded to disorderly conduct (Ordinance 250-1) on October 9, 2025, while her hindering charge was dismissed. Chemani had to pay a total of $633 in fines as a result of her conviction.

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