Off Duty Cop Chases Down Lululemon Shoplifters In Summit: Police

SUMMIT, NJ — An off-duty Summit Police Officer is being commended for helping to nab two women accused of shoplifting from Lululemon on Wednesday.

On Wednesday at around 3 p.m., an off-duty Summit Police Officer saw a white Mercedes-Benz 2-door coupe with Florida registration idling on Maple Street, which matched the description of a vehicle involved in a retail theft at Lululemon on Sunday.

The officer quickly contacted police dispatch, Mountain Valley Emergency Communications Center (MVECC), said police.

The off-duty officer then saw one woman sitting in the Mercedes, while another left Lululemon carrying a Steve Madden shopping bag full of merchandise, said police.

The off-duty officer then went into Lululemon to confirm a theft had just happened and make sure all staff were safe.

The suspect vehicle then drove down Union Place with the off-duty officer running after it while relaying updated locations to MVECC, said police.

On-duty officers arrived moments later and were able to stop the vehicle and take the suspects into custody without force.

Aliyah Gordon, 24, from Westchester, NY, was charged with two counts of shoplifting and conspiracy. She was released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance date.

Aniah Ferguson, 27, from Brooklyn, NY, was charged with shoplifting, conspiracy, hindering apprehension/prosecution by providing false information, and fugitive from justice. She was taken to County Jail for extradition to New York.

The case remains under investigation, and additional charges may follow.

"I want to commend our off-duty officer for her exceptional vigilance and quick thinking," said Chief Ryan Peters. "Her actions, as well as the responding officers, exemplify the dedication and professionalism we strive for every day, both on and off the clock."

"We hope to send the message that in Summit we will respond," said Peters. "We encourage all store owners to contact us immediately if they suspect shoplifting or other criminal activity is happening on their premises."