Newark Woman Arrested in Alleged Shoplifting from Mall

A 45-year-old woman was arrested early Saturday evening after allegedly attempting to shoplift about $8,500 in merchandise from three stores in the Mall at Short Hills, Millburn police said. 

Bernadette Griffin of Newark was arrested shortly after 7 p.m. for alleged shoplifting incidents at Nordstrom and two previous incidents at Macy's and Bloomingdales, officials said. 

According to police, a Nordstrom associate watched Griffin allegedly attempt to conceal a Furla Bag in a Macy's bag.

The associate reported the incident and the store's security watched Griffin attempt to conceal multiple items throughout the store in her Macy's bags, the report said. 

Store security told police, Griffin tried to change her appearance by changing her blouse, before she tried to exit through the parking deck on the second-floor but was stopped by security.

Millburn police searched Griffin and discovered the following items:

• Crystal earrings from Nordstrom, valued at $38
• Lafayette 148 blouse from Nordstrom, valued at $998
• Pair of L'Agence shorts from Nordstrom, valued at $495
• Rich Owens jacket from Nordstrom, valued at $2,250
• Vince Camuto handbag from Nordstrom, valued at $298
• Lagos necklace from Nordstrom, valued at $295
• Four Michael Kors bags from Macy's, valued at $49 each
• Charter Club earrings from Macy's, valued at $30
• $3,649 in merchandise from Bloomingdales

Griffin was charged with two counts of shoplifting and given a court date of March 27.

In addition, police discovered she was also wanted on active warrants from Millburn for $1,000, Bridgewater for $673 and Elizabeth for $250.