A Union City man was caught shoplifting $1,375.02 of merchandise from the Hoboken Walgreens on Monday, public safety spokeswoman Marci Rubin said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Marino Ortiz, 45, of Union City, was charged with shoplifting after getting caught placing merchandise inside his backpack at Walgreens, Rubin noted.
Police Officers Paul Quinn and Samuel Flores responded to the store around 6:30 p.m. on reports of a man known to employees as shoplifter.
When they arrived, officers found the suspect in the last aisle and observed his jacket was zipped and bulging. An investigation of store surveillance video showed Ortiz filling his backpack with merchandise.
During a search incident to arrest, merchandise fell out of Ortiz’s jacket. Officers located more merchandise under his sweatshirt, in his coat pocket, and backpack.
All items found amounted to $1,375.02. Ortiz was transported to police headquarters where it was learned he had three open warrants for shoplifting in Hoboken.
He was charged with shoplifting, processed on all three warrants, and taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility, authorities said.
