$6,300 ULTA Theft Ends In Arrests As Howell Police Chase Pair Into Woods

HOWELL, NJ — Two people have been charged with felony counts of shoplifting after police chased them down Wednesday as they fled with more than $6,300 in merchandise from the ULTA at Howell Commons, police said.

The two people arrested were identified as a 21-year-old Bronx resident and a 25-year-old Manhattan resident, Howell police said.

They were called to the ULTA at Howell Commons for a report of shoplifting and the suspects running out of the store. Patrolman Matt Cuzzo saw the suspects at the rear of the plaza running toward the woods and pointed them out to Patrol officers Elie Lavarin and Matt Zilinski, who chased them.

Lavarin caught and arrested the Manhattan resident and Zilinski caught the Bronx resident, police said.

The investigation turned up more than $6,300 worth of merchandise from the cosmetics store, which was recovered, police said.

Both were charged with third-degree shoplifting and fourth-degree resisting arrest by flight, police said.

ULTA has been the victim of organized retail theft on several occasions at several locations over the last few years, police said.

"The successful conclusion to the investigation and arrests were made possible by the teamwork of all officers involved," Howell police said, including Patrol Officers Cuzzo, John Nista, Scott Bigelow, Cole Duhigg, Matthew Niebling, Courtney Casterlin, Kyle Bush; Cpls. Jesse Moore, and Maureen McBride; Lt. Peter Hochhauser; Sgts. Chris Nagy and Eric Encarnacion, "and our foot pursuit team of Ptl Lavarin and Ptl Zilinski."

"Great response, great outcome," police said. Both suspects were taken to the Monmouth County Jail on the charges and on outstanding arrest warrants, police said.