According to authorities, a Paterson man was arrested on a slew of charges after allegedly attempting to steal from Costco in Wayne. Police allege that 40 year-old Corey Benbow took four bottles of alcohol from a shelf and hid them inside a suitcase. He then allegedly passed through the exits with the suitcase. He was apprehended by a loss prevention officer. When police arrived at the scene, Benbow allegedly provided them with the wrong name and date of birth. A search of his person turned up three bricks of heroin. Benbow was subsequently charged with 12 offenses including: shoplifting, drug possession, hindering and other offenses. He is being held at the Passaic County Jail. Click here to read more at www.patersontimes.com.
The state of New Jersey handles shoplifting case seriously and penalties can be severe. N.J.S.A. 2C:20-11b sets forth that Shoplifting shall consist of any one or more of the following acts:
- For any person purposely to take possession of, carry away, transfer or cause to be carried away or transferred, any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of the possession, use or benefit of such merchandise or converting the same to the use of such person without paying to the merchant the full retail value thereof.
- For any person purposely to conceal upon his person or otherwise any merchandise offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment with the intention of depriving the merchant of the processes, use or benefit of such merchandise or converting the same to the use of such person without paying to the merchant the value thereof.
- For any person purposely to alter, transfer or remove any label, price tag or marking indicia of value or any other markings which aid in determining value affixed to any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail mercantile establishment and to attempt to purchase such merchandise personally or in consort with another at less than the full retail value with the intention of depriving the merchant of all or some part of the value thereof.
- For any person purposely to transfer any merchandise displayed, held, stored or offered for sale by any store or other retail merchandise establishment from the container in or on which the same shall be displayed to any other container with intent to deprive the merchant or all or some part of the retail value thereof.
Grading (Degree) of Shoplifting Offenses in New Jersey:
Shoplifting constitutes a crime of the Second Degree (punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 5 and 10 years in New Jersey State Prison) if the full retail value of the merchandise is $75,000 or more.
Shoplifting constitutes a crime of the Third Degree (punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 3 and 5 years in New Jersey State Prison) if the full retail value of the merchandise exceeds $500 but is less than $75,000.
Shoplifting constitutes a crime of the Fourth Degree (punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison) if the full retail value of the merchandise is at least $200 but less than $500.
Otherwise, shoplifting constitutes a disorderly persons offense (punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months in the county jail).
If you or a loved one is charged with shoplifting, you should contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately, especially given the potential jail sentence. Former Morris County Prosecutor, Alissa D. Hascup is skilled and experienced at representing countless individuals charged with shoplifting throughout the state of New Jersey in towns like Wayne, Clifton, and Paterson. She is committed to ensuring your rights are protected in court and that you receive the best possible outcome for your case. Contact her office for a free consultation about your case. She is available 24/7 at 862-257-1200.
