LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ – Record store owners across New Jersey have identified a man they suspect is targeting businesses and stealing high-priced classic punk and 80s vinyl.
To date, three record stores have been hit. Yearbook Records in Lacey, the Vinyl Dinosaur in Bayville and Randy Now’s Man Cave in Heightstown.
According to Yearbook Records, on Tuesday, September 12, around 1:30 pm, the customer came into the store.
“He’s been in before, somewhat chatty and friendly. I didn’t think much of it, answered any questions he had, etc. He purchased three used records for a total of $26, then asked some questions about other items in the store,” the company said. “He placed what he purchased down near the used records, looked around for a few more minutes, then picked up his records and left.”
The owners, Chris Jamieson and Lureal Furfaro said they didn’t have a good feeling after he leadt and later realized three high-priced records were suddenly missing from the store.
The missing items were Madonna – Celebration 4xLP that was priced at $400, a first-pressing Black Flag – Damaged LP with the “anti-parent” sticker on the back of the jacket priced at $150, and a first US pressing of Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks that was still sealed, with original price sticker on the front plastic and “Sub-Mission” sticker on the back of the jacket (part of what makes it identifiable as first US press) which was priced at $200.
Randy Ellis, the former promoter at the legendary City Gardens, who now operates Randy Now’s Man Cave, a classic vinyl store in Heightstown said he has also been hit by the same suspect.
“This person also stole high-end Beatle records from me,” Ellis, who uses the monicker Randy Now, said. “It took a long week to figure out it was him stealing $ 300 – $ 500 Beatle records and then some. I couldn’t prove it so I just said “Please leave and never return to my store”. That was 18-24 months ago. Seems like he has not learned a lesson even from me just saying I know you stole records, but couldn’t prove it.”
Ellis said the man came into his store several times in a one-week span, saying the man had a Russian accent.
You can read more about the incident and see photos of the alleged suspect on Yearbook Records’ Facebook page.
At this point, no charges have been filed and no criminal activity has been confirmed by law enforcement. No arrests have been made.
