Three people from New York were arrested Friday after police said they stole more than $12,000 worth of merchandise during an alleged 80-minute crime spree at a mall in Bergen County.
Officers patrolling the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus were alerted about 9:20 p.m. to a theft of an iPhone from an employee at the mall’s Haagen Dazs Restaurant.
“Subsequent investigation revealed that the individuals involved were part of a crime spree targeting stores and employees using distraction techniques,” Paramus Police Chief Robert M. Guidetti said in a statement.
“The crew committed several shopliftings and stole personal property from two separate kiosk employees, including a cell phone and a wallet, both of which were stolen and subsequently recovered,” Guidetti said.
The thefts occurred between 8 p.m. and 9:20 p.m., the chief said. In addition to the iPhone, thieves stole two pairs of Versaces sunglasses from Sunglasses Hut valued at $434 each; 139 makeup products from Sephora worth nearly $8,000; two handbags from Aldo valued at nearly $115; 18 clothing items from Victoria’s Secret worth a total of $826.95; and 20 items from Macy’s worth $1,350, Guidetti said.
Police officers and mall security officers tracked three people through the mall, arresting one who fled to a restroom and changed his jacket to disguise his appearance.
Two others were arrested in the mall parking lot near their vehicle, which bore an invalid Connecticut license plate, police said.
“Proceeds recovered from the suspects were valued in excess of $12,836,” Guidetti said.
Two men and a woman from The Bronx, New York, were arrested and charged with organized retail theft, conspiracy to commit shoplifting and theft, Guidetti said. The three were held at the Bergen County Jail ahead of a court appearance.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
