Wayne Theft Blotter: Woman Places Jewelry in Purse, Man Puts 'Hot Wheels' in Pants

Wayne Police say two thefts occurred over the weekend - including a man who allegedly shoved toy cars into his pants at ShopRite.

The first theft come around 1:30 p.m. Friday when Juana Ortega-Devargas, 56, of Paterson allegedly placed 25 assorted pieces of jewelry valued at $629 into her purse at the Sears in Willowbrook Mall, Wayne Captain Laurence Martin said. Ortega-Devargas was detained by Sears Loss Prevention and was arrested by Wayne Police.

The second theft also came on Friday when Merrill D. Torgersen, 55, of Hampton, allegedly stuffed “several packages of Hot Wheels toy cars inside his pants valued at $234.81” from the ShopRite on Hamburg Turnpike, Captain Martin said. Torgersen was detained by ShopRite Loss Prevention and arrested by Wayne Police.