HOWELL, N.J. — Two suspects from New York were arrested after allegedly attempting to steal over $6,300 in merchandise from the ULTA store in Howell Commons, prompting a foot chase through a wooded area behind the shopping center, police said Wednesday.
Key Points
- Two suspects arrested for allegedly attempting to steal over $6,300 in merchandise from ULTA Howell Commons.
- Officers chased and captured the suspects after they fled into nearby woods.
- Both were charged with shoplifting and resisting arrest and held at Monmouth County Jail.
Officers from the Howell Township Police Department responded to a call reporting an active shoplifting in progress, with the suspects fleeing on foot. Patrolman Matt Cuzzo spotted the pair running behind the plaza and directed fellow officers to the scene.
Patrolmen Elie Lavarin and Matt Zilinski pursued the suspects into the woods and successfully apprehended a 25-year-old resident of Manhattan and a 21-year-old from the Bronx, officials said. The stolen items were recovered at the scene.
Following the arrest, both individuals were charged with third-degree shoplifting and fourth-degree resisting arrest by flight. They were later transported to Monmouth County Jail, where they were also processed for outstanding warrants.
The investigation and coordinated response involved multiple officers across the department, including Ptl Nista, Ptl Bigelow, Ptl Duhigg, Cpl Moore, Ptl Niebling, Cpl McBride, Ptl Casterlin, Ptl Bush, Lt Hochhauser, Sgt Nagy, and Sgt Encarnacion.
ULTA has reportedly been a frequent target of organized retail theft at multiple locations, according to police.
