This section is based on data provided to the Northern Valley Press by neighborhood police departments. Due to pending court appearances and other variations, the following information shall be read in “press time” context.
CLOSTER, N.J.—On Jan. 7, Sgt. Matthew Thornhill, Patrolman Christopher Barbieri and Patrolman Jorge Vela responded to the Closter Elks for a report of a suspicious female.
Arriving at 6:16 p.m., patrons at the Elks told officers that an unknown female knocked on the door requesting assistance in getting back to North Carolina.
Officers observed a female—later identified as a 51-year-old from Charlotte, N.C.—sitting at the bar. They asked her for identification; she had none.
The woman told police she had been with a truck driver doing a delivery at 10 Railroad Ave. when he left without her.
The woman said she had been traveling with truck driver, named “Eddie,” since Jan. 6.
She said “Eddie” told her, after finishing the delivery, that he was going to take a nap for a bit, and the woman said she set off to find something to drink and eat before heading back to North Carolina.
The woman said she had walked around downtown since 5 p.m., entering CVS, other businesses and purchasing a pack of cigarettes. She only had $6 to get back to North Carolina, she said.
While talking with the woman, police observed items in her purse with price tags still on them. She denied having anything that did not belong to her, but police conducted a probable cause search of her bag due to the items. She then admitted that she had gone into CVS and shoplifted the fashion jewelry and cosmetics.
Barbieri responded to the CVS, reviewing security footage showing the woman concealing numerous items in her purse—valued at $377—then leaving without paying.
The woman was arrested for shoplifting and given a Jan. 23 court date in Hackensack and a notice to appear.
Vela provided her with a courtesy transport from police headquarters to the bus stop in Dumont at Madison and Washington avenues. The woman boarded a New Jersey Transit bus “and sent her on her way without incident,” according to the investigation report.