Two People Arrested During "Cops in Shops" Investigation in Union Beach

Two adults were arrested in Union Beach as part of the Cops in Shops enforcement program.

William Fales, age 23, of Union Beach, was arrested on August 22 for possession of CDS, Resisting arrest and Contempt of court at a local Union Beach liquor establishment. He was arrested by Sgt. Gabriel Farese, Officer Joseph Russo, and Officer Donald Higgins, and incarcerated in the Monmouth County Jail without bail per Judge Richard Thompson.

In a separate investigation, Reed Pilkinton, age 49, also of Union Beach, was arrested the same day at the liquor establishment by Sgt. Farese, Officer Russo, and Officer Higgins. Officers also discovered Pilkington had an outstanding warrant. He was released on his own recognizance having met the bail set in the amount of $526.00 per Judge Richard Thompson.

The Cops in Shops enforcement program is a unique partnership between retailers and law enforcement that helps stop illegal underage alcohol sales and prevent adults from buying alcohol for minors. Teams of officers are placed in strategic participating retail outlets; each team consists of one undercover officer who works inside the store while a second officer is positioned outside the establishment to apprehend adults who procure alcohol for youth, said Detective Sgt. Woodrow of the Union Beach Police Department. Cops in Shops places the focus on the perpetrators- minors who try to purchase alcohol illegally and adults that try to purchase alcohol illegally for minors.

According to Detective Sgt. Woodrow, Patrol Officer Robert Harriott spearheaded the program under the direction of Chief Scott Woolley for the Union Beach Police Department.

An arrest is not a conviction, and every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.