Suspected new jersey shoplifter fled police, hid a baby deer in a shopping bag

Suspected New Jersey Shoplifter Fled Police, Hid a Baby Deer in a Shopping Bag

Posted by
1 min read
June 7, 2024

Cops in Manahawkin, New Jersey, were surprised to find much more than they were looking for after apprehending a suspected shoplifter last week.

In a surprising sequence of events, Stafford Police detained a man involved in a recent shoplifting incident.

On June 1, around 6:00 PM, officers were alerted to a shoplifting incident at ShopRite, located at 297 Route 72 West.

The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Matthew Keithley from Mays Landing, New Jersey, was found nearby with a reusable shopping bag. During the interaction, a fawn peeked out from the bag, leading officers to detain him for illegal possession of a deer. Keithley initially provided false identity information and attempted to escape on foot but was swiftly captured.

Upon arrest, Keithley was found in possession of suspected crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Further checks revealed two outstanding warrants for his arrest in Atlantic County. He has been charged with illegal possession of a deer, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest by flight, and providing false information to a law enforcement officer.

When police inspected his bag, they found a fawn stuffed inside and he was charged for illegal possession of the deer.

Keithley is currently being held at Ocean County Jail, and the fawn was safely returned to its natural habitat. Officer Moslowitz was credited with the arrest.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss