Juveniles Accused of Shoplifting in Separate Walmart Incidents

Watchung police receive reports of shoplifting from Route 22 businesses regularly, but the reports took an unusual turn last week with several juveniles taken into custody.

At 5:24 Aug. 11, police took a 16-year-old boy into custody after Walmart security personnel reported he had attempted to take cell phone cases valued at $104.31. He was released in the custody of his brother after police determined it was a first offense.

Then, at 6:30 p.m. the same day, a 15-year-old Plainfield boy and a 17-year-old boy from Middlesex were taken into custody after Walmart security personnel reported observing them conceal cell phone cases, valued at $60 and $45.

Their cases were turned over to juvenile authorities for further investigation and processing.

Police returned to the store at 5:02 p.m. Aug. 12 for a third report involving a juvenile—this time, a 16-year-old who was reported to have concealed six Xbox games, valued at $138.64, in the waistband of his pants. Police said he used a stolen folding pocketknife to open the packaging for the games, and discovered a bag of marijuana in his pocket when he was searched for any additional stolen items.

He was charged with shoplifting, possession of burglary tools, and possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana.

The charges were forwarded to the juvenile department, and the teen was released in the custody of his grandfather.