Absecon Man Charged In Manahawkin With Shoplifting

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Stafford Township Police charged an Absecon man Monday during a motor vehicle stop for shoplifting floor tiles, authorities said.

The driver, Santos Lugo III, 26, of Absecon, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. on Route 72 near Stafford Square. Stafford Township Police executed a motor vehicle stop on the driver’s U-Haul box truck in connection with a series of shoplifting offenses reporting throughout New Jersey, authorities said.

The investigation found Lugo had $3,300 worth of stolen floor tiles, police said. Further investigation revealed that the tiles were stolen from the Lowes store in Brick Township and Lugo attempted to return them in the Lowe's in Manahawkin for store credit, according to authorities.

Lugo was placed under arrest for an active warrant out of Absecon Municipal Court. He was charged with possession of stolen property and released pending a future court appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

Stafford Township Ptl. Bryan Brown and Zachary Halliday were involved in the arrest.

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