In a recent development from Freehold, a Middletown Township police officer has been formally charged with Shoplifting and Attempted Shoplifting. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced these charges, which stem from a series of incidents involving theft from a discount department-store chain.
Brenden B. Santiago, a 36-year-old officer from Tinton Falls, faces one count of third-degree Shoplifting and one count of fourth-degree Attempted Shoplifting. The charges were filed on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
The investigation, conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility Unit in collaboration with the Middletown Township Police Department, uncovered that between mid and late December 2023, Santiago engaged in “skip-scanning.” This act involved scanning less-expensive items while either not scanning or pretending to scan more expensive items, subsequently leaving the store without paying for them. Santiago reportedly committed these acts on six occasions. Notably, during one such incident, he was dressed in his Middletown Police Department uniform.
On January 9, 2024, Santiago was caught again attempting to “skip-scan” items. However, an employee conducted a receipt check, preventing the completion of the shoplifting act. The total value of the items involved in these thefts exceeded $500.
Middletown Township Police Chief R. Craig Weber commented on the case, emphasizing that the allegations against Patrolman Santiago are distressing and contrary to the values of their agency. Weber affirmed the department’s commitment to trust and integrity, stating that officers are held to the highest professional and ethical standards. Following these charges, Santiago has been relieved of duty and suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case.