MONTVALE, N.J. — Montvale police arrested eight people in a rapid series of incidents Thursday that began with a major shoplifting bust at a Lululemon store and continued with arrests at a local grocery and a bank — all within a span of a few hours.
The first arrest happened at approximately 1:40 p.m. when Officer Maciej Zagaja spotted four individuals walking through the Farm View parking lot carrying armfuls of Lululemon clothing, with hangers and alarm tags still attached, Police Chief Douglas McDowell said.
Zagaja detained 30-year-old Vincent Browning of Allentown, Pa., and radioed a description of three women fleeing the scene. Officers quickly apprehended Delashay Gore, 27, Dilice Sears, 36, and Ayanna Dozier, 25, all of Staten Island. The group had stolen $5,906 worth of merchandise from the athleticwear store.
All four were charged with shoplifting and resisting arrest. Browning also faces an additional charge of hindering apprehension after giving police a false name. All were released pending court appearances.
Second arrest tied to Wegmans theft and fugitive warrant
Roughly 45 minutes later, Officer Russell DiLauri responded to a shoplifting-in-progress call at the Montvale Wegmans. Surveillance footage helped officers identify three suspects. One was apprehended immediately, and the other two were stopped while attempting to leave in a vehicle.
One of the suspects, Timothy Simpson, 49, of Spring Valley, was found to be wanted on a warrant out of Rockland County. He was taken to Bergen County Jail, where he remains held on fugitive-from-justice and shoplifting charges.
His two alleged accomplices, Edwin Shockley, 65, and Adrienne Walton, 54, both of Haverstraw, were charged with shoplifting and a minor drug offense. They were released pending court proceedings.
Third incident under investigation after call to Chase bank
Less than an hour later, Montvale police were again dispatched to the Farm View area, this time responding to a call from the Chase bank at 3:21 p.m. Details about that incident have not yet been released, and authorities have not confirmed whether it was related to the earlier arrests.
Police are continuing their investigations and reviewing potential connections among the suspects involved in Thursday’s incidents.
