Manalapan Wegmans Shoplifting Leads To Arrest: Police

MANALAPAN, NJ - A 43-year-old sanitation worker from Staten Island reportedly lifted over $200 in groceries at the Manalapan Wegmans last week, authorities said.

Carmine E. Miano was arrested on May 16 following the theft at around 3:46 p.m., Manalapan police said in a blotter statement. He was transported to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and released after being issued a summons.

Patrolman Christopher Capuzzo was the arresting officer.

The Route 9 business has faced several shoplifters over the years, including a Perth Amboy man who reportedly stole over $1,500 in steaks. Read More: $1,500+ In Steak Products Shoplifted From Manalapan Wegmans: Cops

Last year, the grocery store chain announced that it will be discontinuing its self-scanning app due to shoplifting incidents. Related: NJ Wegmans Will Drop Self-Scanning App Due To Customer Shoplifting

According to Loss Prevention Magazine, the most common losses occur when customers fail to scan an item before bagging it or scan the barcode of a cheaper item, whether by mistake or on purpose. The magazine also warned that a store's losses could increase by 33 percent with a handheld scanning program.

Wegmans first introduced the SCAN App in April 2019, and the contactless in-store shopping option became more widespread in stores just as the COVID-19 pandemic was kicking off. It was eventually available to customers in 90 stores across the Northeast, including nine in New Jersey.