On Saturday, May 5th Roselle Park police responded to a report of a disturbance from an "unruly" group of young males at approximatley 11:30pm. The young men were reported to have been congregating at the 7-Eleven store on West Westfield avenue and were using loud and profane language.

A store employee reported that when he asked the group to quiet down they "turned their negative attention" towards him. The same employee also informed police that he then observed one of the young men conceal a can of soda in his clothing and exit without paying.

Shoplifiting crimes are taken very seriously in New Jersey. Under the applicable statute, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11b, there are several different acts that can amount to shoplifting. These acts include:

  • Taking merchandise without paying the full retail price
  • Concealing merchandise with the intent to deprive the owner of its full value
  • Altering, transferring, or removing the label or price tag of any merchandise with the intent to deprive the owner of its full value
  • Transferring merchandise from one container to another with the intent of depriving the owner of its full value
  • Under-ringing merchandise
  • Removing a shopping cart with no intention of returning it

If you are charged with a shoplifting offense in Roselle Park, the amount of the merchandise taken will determine which New Jersey Court will handle your case. Roselle Park Municipal Court handles shoplifting cases where the amount of merchandise taken totals less than $200. All other shoplifting cases are handled in Union County Superior Court. 

Our law firm has handled shoplifting cases across Union County, New Jersey, including Roselle Park, Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Garwood, and Westfield. If you or a loved one have been charged with any of these offenses, our team of skilled lawyers and expert negotiators are prepared to vigorously defend you.

Source: nj.com, "Roselle Park police report shoplifting incident at 7-Eleven when five younger males were causing a disturbance in the store," Suburban News, May 10, 2012.