MANAHAWKIN, NJ – A man and woman have traveled far and wide to steal items from Home Depot, Stafford Township police said today. After allegedly robbing a Home Depot in Newtown, the couple came to Manahawkin to try their luck here, but were caught.
On Monday, January 12, 2021, at approximately 11:00 AM hours, the Stafford Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau was alerted about a suspicious male and a suspicious female inside of the Home Depot.
At this time, Stafford Detectives conducted surveillance at the Home Depot and observed the two subjects exiting the store pushing a cart with a large garbage can, and other items. Detectives approached the subjects in the parking lot after learning that they had not paid for the store merchandise.
The male suspect was swiftly detained and identified as 34-year-old Anthony Webb of Port Jarvis, New York. The female was identified as 26-year-old Kerry Connors of Middletown, New York but she had attempted to flee the area on foot. However, she was quickly detained by Patrolman Karl Eiker as he arrived in the area.
Further investigation revealed that both subjects, while in the store, had concealed a large amount of store merchandise within the garbage can, valued in excess of $4,600. Detectives later executed a search warrant on the suspect’s vehicle, which led to the recovery of additional stolen property from a previous shoplifting incident that occurred on January 9, 2021, at a Home Depot located in Newton, New Jersey.
Both subjects were charged with Shoplifting, Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting and Receiving Stolen Property. They were released pending a future court appearance in Ocean County Superior Court with a date yet to be set.
Detective Drew Smith and Detective Erik Smithman were the investigating Detectives. As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release photos of arrested subjects, and the public and the press are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.