Toms river council candidate's shoprite shoplifting charge draws red flag in election campaign

TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Most people looking to get into politics hold off on stealing until after they’re elected. In the case of one council candidate, his alleged five-finger past has become a campaign problem just days ahead of the June 10th primary election.

Days after police reports regarding Bianchini’s charges began circulating on social media, his opponent, incumbent Republican Justin Lamb, issued a statement regarding the trove of police reports and allegations.

A copy of that police report is attached here:

Photo: toms river council candidate's shoprite shoplifting charge draws red flag in election campaign

Robert A. Bianchini, a former Democratic candidate for Toms River Township Council and Ocean County Commissioner, was charged with shoplifting from the ShopRite on Fischer Boulevard, according to public records and law enforcement documents.

Police records indicate that Bianchini was charged in March 2021 after a series of alleged thefts from the same supermarket. Among the stolen items were a cat toy, a laser pointer, and other merchandise. The Toms River Police Department launched an investigation following a report filed on January 23, 2021, which led to the criminal complaint issued on February 9, 2021.

Bianchini arrest report by Shore News Network on Scribd

“This is exactly the kind of behavior that has led to empty shelves and shuttered stores in cities run by Democrats,” a local resident shared on social media. “Now we have it here in Toms River—from someone who wants to make laws for the rest of us and oversee the police department.”

Bianchini’s opponent, Council President Justin Lamb was shocked by the revelation.

“I’ve spent my life enforcing the law as a police officer and I find it offensive that a serial shoplifter and recent Democrat candidate for Toms River Council and County Commissioner thinks he can come into Toms River, pose as a Republican, and take over our town.

“I’ve spent my life enforcing the law as a police officer, and I find it offensive that a serial shoplifter and recent Democrat candidate for Toms River Council and County Commissioner thinks he can come into Toms River, pose as a Republican, and take over our town,” Lamb said.

Bianchini admitted to being charged, but now claims the whole incident was a misunderstanding, stating that the perpetrator was not him, but someone else using his wife’s Price-Plus card to shoplift. However, according to the report, a police officer positively identified Bianchini at the time and the report detailed the perpetrator as a frequent shoplifter.

The charges were dismissed later in the year, but the circumstances surrounding that dismissal are unclear at this time.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toms River Council Candidate Robert A. Bianchini Caught Shoplifting at Fischer Boulevard ShopRite

Toms River, NJ — June 1, 2025 — While Democrats across the country face criticism for turning a blind eye to rising retail theft—often attributed to organized shoplifting rings and lax law enforcement—Toms River is facing its own embarrassment: a council candidate once charged with the very same crime. Robert A. Bianchini, a former Democratic candidate for Toms River Township Council and Ocean County Commissioner, was charged in March 2021 with shoplifting from a local supermarket.
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The criminal charge followed multiple alleged incidents at the same store, including one in which Bianchini was accused of stealing a cat toy. See attached Toms River Investigation Report dated January 23, 2021 and subsequent criminal charges issued on February 9, 2021. Bianchini, an advocate for a taxpayer-funded homeless and animal shelters was caught shoplifting cat toys, laser pointer’s, and various items from his local supermarket.

The incidents investigated by the Toms River Police Department remain a stark reminder of the consequences of public officials and candidates who fail to lead by example. ShopRite has confirmed the use of facial recognition technology to prevent shoplifters like Bianchini for shopping at their stores for life. Bianchini has not issued any public comment regarding the charges.

ShopRite representatives confirmed the use of facial recognition technology to detect repeat offenders and stated that individuals charged with shoplifting, including Bianchini, have been barred from returning to the store chain.

Correction: An earlier report said that Bianchini was banned from ShopRite per the company’s shoplifting policy, but that information was not confirmed at this time.

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