FREEHOLD – Red Bull gives you wings, but a truck driver is facing jail time after flying off with two large shipments from a Wall-based distributer.
According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office, the stolen Red Bull amounts more than $27,000.
Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey said Christopher L. Hammond, 36, of the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township was charged with third-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking, fourth-degree Forgery, and fourth-degree False Uttering.
“An investigation involving members of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Wall Township Police Department revealed that the theft took place at a Wall-based beverage distribution center in June and July of 2021,” Linskey said. “As part of his work duties, the investigation determined, Hammond was supposed to have delivered the energy drinks to local businesses for sale, but neither of two large shipments he picked up ever made it to their intended destinations.”
Linskey’s office on Tuesday said evidence shows that Hammond also forged two bogus invoices for the Red Bull in an attempt to cover his tracks.
“The final destination of the stolen energy drinks remains unknown. Hammond was served the charges against him via summons on Monday, pending an upcoming first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court,” the MCPO said.
“We at the Prosecutor’s Office remain committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting significant instances of theft – regardless of the type of item stolen,” Acting Prosecutor Linskey said. “And we thank the tireless efforts of our partners with the Wall Township Police Department for their assistance in this case.”
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendants have all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.