Multi-State Shoplifting Suspects Tied To Plymouth Township

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, PA — Two men from New York City who were recently charged by New Jersey authorities with stealing $500 worth of cold medications from a pharmacy in the Garden State have ties to an alleged shoplifting incident in this eastern Montgomery County community.

Lasha Dekanoidze, 35, and Giorgi Adeishvili, 38, both of Brooklyn, New York, turned themselves in to Manchester, New Jersey police last week, according to Capt. Vincent Manco. The two are accused of shoplifting in that town, but are also suspected in shoplifting incidents in both Pennsylvania and New York.

In Pennsylvania, the duo are charged with retail theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy for an alleged shoplifting incident at the CVS at 2400 Butler Pike in the Plymouth Meeting section of Plymouth Township, according to Plymouth Township police.

Specifics on what the two allegedly stole at the local CVS, and how much the merchandise was valued at, was not immediately available.

In Pennsylvania, shoplifting can be a felony depending on certain circumstances, including whether the value of the merchandise exceeds $1,000, whether the items stolen are an automobile or a firearm, or if it is an individual's third offense.

Court records show that Dekanoidze is still awaiting to be formally arraigned on the Plymouth Township charges. Records show he posted unsecured bail on July 26.

Adeishvili is also awaiting a preliminary arraignment in the Plymouth Township matter, according to court records. He, too, posted unsecured bail on July 26.

Meanwhile, back in New Jersey, Manchester Capt. Manco said Patrolman Michael Terranova had obtained surveillance footage of the pair, and learned the two were suspects in pharmacy shoplifting incidents in the towns of Toms River and Springfield.

Manchester Detective Joseph Fastige learned various towns in Pennsylvania and New York also had shoplifting incidents involving the same suspects, and with help from Detective Jeff McGee of the Plymouth Township Police Department identified the two Brooklyn men.

Dekanoidze and Adeishvili have been charged with third-degree shoplifting in Manchester, Manco said.

"Based on this investigation, Dekanoidze and Adeishvilli have been linked to additional unsolved shoplifting incidents throughout New Jersey," Manco said. "The information obtained by Detective Fastige was shared with other law enforcement agencies and will likely result in future criminal charges."

In accordance with New Jersey bail reform, Dekanoidze was released on a summons; Adeishvili was taken to the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

"The Manchester Township Police Department would like to thank the Plymouth Township Police Department (PA), the Lower Merion Township Police Department (PA), the Wright Township Police Department (PA), the Toms River Police Department, the Springfield Township Police Department, and the Rite Aid Organized Retail Crime Investigation section for their collective and cooperative assistance in this investigation," Manco said in a statement.

Anyone with information regarding any investigations are encouraged to contact the Manchester Township Police Department at 732-657-6111. As a reminder, anonymous tips can be submitted online at www.manchesterpolicenj.com. Tips may also be submitted through private messages on the department's social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok).

Patch Editor Karen Wall contributed to this report.