SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Target busts charge 14

By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
   Fourteen people were charged with shoplifting some $3,400 worth of merchandise at the Target store on Route 1 in the last month, according to police.
   ”Target’s loss prevention is pretty aggressive,” Sgt. Jim Ryan said Tuesday. “They have a zero tolerance for shoplifting.”
   According to Sgt. Ryan, the retailer has mounted an effort to curb stealing merchandise from the store in an effort to keep costs down for consumers.
   ”Target is very responsive to the community in trying to keep those costs down,” Sgt. Ryan said.
   The incidents from Jan.15-Feb. 20 and included attempts to conceal merchandise under a baby seat to trying to leave the store with a full cart of merchandise, Sgt. Ryan said.
   In one incident, the suspects are believed to have taken items from other Target stores in Edison and West Windsor before being caught in South Brunswick, Sgt. Ryan said.
   According to police, Barbara Wegner, 55, of South Brunswick was charged with allegedly taking $300 in clothing on Jan. 15, Takara Agosto, 22, of South Brunswick was charged with taking $25 worth of nail polish on Jan. 17 and Robin Day, 37, of South Brunswick was charged with taking $110 in food on Jan. 24.
   Lisa Shyken, 40, of Hillsborough was charged Jan. 29 with taking clothing and household items valued at $1,800, Brian Figueroa, 37, was charged with taking a $300 television Jan. 24.
   Mecheka Miranda, 21, of South Brunswick was charged with taking $320 in clothing on Jan. 31, Christina Baader was also charged with taking clothing valued at $70 on Feb. 6.
   Christopher Coffman, 20, of Old Bridge was charged with taking two DVD players worth $200 on Feb. 9 and three 16-year-old South Brunswick males were charged with taking headphones valued at $100, according to police.
   On Feb. 15, Jalen Crockett, 19, of South Brunswick and Roland Deriggs, 21, of Piscataway were each charged with taking $50 worth of trading card games valued at $50, and on Feb. 20, Jonarose Valmores, 19, of South Brunswick was charged with taking $92 in cosmetics, according to police.
   Sgt. Ryan said each suspect was taken to police headquarters where they were fingerprinted, photographed and then released on a summons.
   If convicted in municipal court of shoplifting, the individuals could face up to a $1,000 fine in addition to a possible $500 from the store, Sgt. Ryan said. For a second offense they may face 30 days in jail, and a third offense carries a mandatory 90 days in jail.
   ”We want people to know the penalties,” Sgt. Ryan said. “The fines and penalties are pretty significant.”