On Oct. 26, William N. Comba, 35, of Forked River, Lawrence R. Gress III, 32, of East Windsor, and Peter Lipari Jr., 22, of South Plainfield, were sentenced to probation for their roles in a burglary that occurred at the Wal-Mart, Route 537, Freehold Township, in November 2006.
According to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the sentences were imposed by state Superior Court Judge Francis P. DeStefano, sitting in Freehold.
The three men had each pleaded guilty to third degree burglary before DeStefano on Aug. 6. Lipari had also pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
An investigation into the burglary conducted by the Freehold Township and Howell police departments revealed that in the early morning hours of Nov. 5, 2006, Comba and Lipari went to the Wal-Mart in Freehold Township, entered the store and then left with approximately $70,353.27 in cash, checks and coupons redeemable for cash.
Gress, who was employed as an assistant manager at the Wal-Mart, had previously given Comba and Lipari a layout of the store, and he had also explained to them where and how the store’s funds were kept, according to the press release.
Comba and Lipari used a vehicle belonging to Gress’ girlfriend, Shannon A. Phillips, 26, of Manahawkin, as their means of transportation to and from the burglary. When the two returned to the apartment that Lipari shared at the time with Gress, the four defendants divided up the proceeds from the theft. All four then immediately indulged in a spending spree, purchasing cars and jewelry, and paying bills and back rent. When apprehended, Lipari was found to be in possession of cocaine, according to the press release.
Gress was sentenced to a two-year term of probation conditioned upon 179 days in the Monmouth County jail. By law he is entitled to credit for the 179 days he has already spent in custody.
Comba was sentenced to a two-year term of probation conditioned upon 364 days in the Monmouth County jail. By law he is entitled to credit for the 27 days he has already spent in custody.
Lipari was also sentenced to a two-year term of probation, with credit for the 270 days he has already spent in custody.
All three defendants were ordered to pay $55,876 restitution jointly and severally to Wal-Mart. Comba made a payment of $8,000 toward restitution just prior to being sentenced, according to the press release.
The charges against the final codefendant, Phillips, are still pending. Phillips was released approximately 16 days following her arrest after posting $100,000 bail.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said, “Gress, a former assistant manager at Wal-Mart, took advantage of his employment to provide inside knowledge to Lipari and Comba so they, along with Phillips, could illegally profit from Gress’ position of trust within the corporation. These sentences satisfy the need to punish each thief while giving them an opportunity to pay restitution, thereby making Wal-Mart whole.”
Valentin credited the investigation conducted by the Freehold Township and Howell police departments in solving the case.