Police Blotter: Rite Aid Suffers Streak of Shoplifters

The following arrest information was supplied by the 76th Precinct. It does not indicate a conviction.

Rite Aid Continues To Suffer Streak of Shoplifters

After being hit twice already this month, a Smith Street drug store was targeted three times in the last week by shoplifters. The good news is all of the crooks were caught in the act.

• On Tuesday, October 9 at 3:20 p.m. a Rite Aid employee observed a sticky-fingered female shopper along with five others, as they were taking cosmetics and putting it inside of their pockets. Two women, 18 and 21, respectively were apprehended along with three female juveniles. They were charged with attempting to steal $108 worth of makeup.
• On Saturday, October 13 at 4 p.m. security spotted a man in the store roughly removing various products from a display rack, and damaging a bottle of Head & Shoulders 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner. In total he attempted to take $48 worth of shampoo, moisturizer, and other products. Upon being arrested, Lionel Taylor, 44, refused to be handcuffed and was further charged with resisting arrest, cops said. He allegedly has a long list of previous arrests. 
• On Sunday, October 14 at 8:20 a.m. a man entered the Rite Aid, hastily removed items, knocking others on the ground in the process. As the thief attempted to run, a worker tried to stop him, dislocating his shoulder in the process. Heath Anderson, 47, was arrested at 8:57 a.m. inside the store for trying to take $39 worth of merchandise including Dove Color Care and Dove soap.

Zaytoons Burglarized, Caught By Video

Beloved Smith Street falafel mecca Zaytoons suffered a burglary on Saturday, October 13 between 10:50 p.m. and 11 p.m., cops said. A worker, 32, was downstairs when an unknown individual entered the restaurant through a side door and removed various property, including one cell phone and $100. Police are searching for a 5-foot-8 male, black, and approximately 30 years old. 

Career Criminal Arrested for Stealing Headphones

A well-known criminal in the 76th Precinct was arrested at the Corner of Sumner and Hicks Streets, on Sunday, October 7, at 9 a.m., cops said. The victim spied the crook in the driver's side seat of his green 2003 Jeep Wrangler, and wearing the victim’s white headphones. He immediately called police, who were able to located the thief at the intersection of Hamilton and Hicks Street five minutes later. Efrain Gauthier, 24, was charged with criminal possession of stolen property, as well as petty larceny. The victim is a male, 44. 

Woman's Purse Stolen in IKEA, Along with $400

A woman reported her purse stolen after leaving it in a restroom at IKEA, police said. On Friday, October 12 between 730 p.m. and 8 p.m. the bag went missing, the victim, 30, said. Items taken include a Sensation cell phone and $400 in cash. 

Vespa Vanishes from Warren St.

A man left his red 2005 Vespa parked without a license plate on Warren Street between Court and Smith Streets from August 16 to October 13 at 1 p.m., when he realized it had gone missing, police said. The victim is a male, 31. The motorscooter is valued at $3500.

Man Busted for Smoking Pot in Public, Another for Open Container

On Sunday, October 14, at 1:40 a.m. between Bond and Baltic Streets, a man was observed smoking marijuana by patrolling officers. Terrence Murphy, 27, was arrested on the spot. He has a record of robberies and other infractions.

Three days earlier on Thursday, October 11 at 2:20 a.m. at the corner of Butler and Nevins Streets a man, 33, was spotted drinking from an open container of alcohol in public, cops said. Upon inquiry, he was also found in possession of a switchblade. Vincent Garrison was arrested on the spot.