GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – Gloucester Township Police arrested a shoplifting crew accused of multiple thefts after an incident involving an assault on an officer at the Gloucester Premium Outlets.
On Sunday, Gloucester Township Police were investigating a crew of serial shoplifters believed to be from Pennsylvania. Officers conducted surveillance at the Gloucester Premium Outlets and observed the suspects shoplifting from two stores. As the suspects returned to their vehicle, an officer attempted to detain one female suspect.
The two remaining male suspects fled in the vehicle, striking the officer with a door and sideswiping a police vehicle. The vehicle was stopped by officers on Robert E. Kelly Boulevard, and two adult males were apprehended. The officer sustained a minor injury and was treated and released from a local hospital.
Chief David Harkins praised the officers and loss prevention specialists for their efforts. “I am very proud of the hard work and investigative efforts of our officers, and loss prevention specialists, which brought this crew’s criminal activities to an end,” Harkins said. “As a result of the quick actions by our officers, no one else was hurt.”