Boozy Shoplifters Steal $1.6K In Goods From Glen Rock Liquor Store: PD

GLEN ROCK, NJ — A local liquor store was hit yet again in a shoplifting last week, police officials said.

Last Tuesday, Bottle King Liquors saw another "grab and run" theft of liquor, valued at nearly $70; this was the latest in a series of shoplifting cases that have occurred this year at the Glen Rock store, police chief Dean Ackermann said.

At least eight such incidents have taken place at the store this year, and, consequently, more than $1,600 worth of goods has been swiped, Ackermann said.

"At times we have been dealing with repeat offenders," he said. "Case in point: A Fair Lawn man arrested this month still had charges pending from December which had not even gone to court yet."

Goods stolen from the borough store have included liquor bottles, box wines and cigarettes, police said.

Bottle King's management team, chief Ackermann said, has been "proactive" about dealing with the store's shoplifting issues, as for example, promptly reporting such occurrences to police.

"Our officers have aggressively investigated these reports, which most often result in arrest," the chief said.

Surveillance video has largely captured the shoplifting suspects who have left the store without paying for their booze, and at least seven people have been identified in connection with stolen merchandise from the oft-targeted retailer, police said.

In a statement to Patch, Ackermann said that retailers across New Jersey and the U.S. have experienced a recent "surge" in shoplifting, and that some of that is believed to be related to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Mental health issues and addiction are also significant causes of shoplifting," the chief added.

Bottle King's manager was not immediately available for comment.