KEARNY –
Three alleged members of what Walmart security termed a a shoplifting ring” ended up in the Hudson County Jail after they tried to steal more than $1,000 worth of “assorted meat and seafood” from the store, Kearny police reported.
The suspects, all from Jersey City, were nabbed the evening of Feb. 14, after one of them, Jennifer Biagetti, 42, was seen attempting to leave the premises with $992 worth of the foodstuffs, police said.
Taken into custody about 7:15 p.m. by Officer Chris Manolis, she reportedly admitted that she had two companions who were possibly still in the parking lot, in a green Chrysler Voyager. Police said that as Officers Derek Hemphill and Sean Podolski approached the vehicle, the driver and front-seat passenger could be seen changing places.
Hemphill advised them he had observed the seat-switch — and could also observe a quantity of meat and other food products on the floor of the SUV.
Police said Brian Rodgers, 57, who was now behind the wheel, and “passenger” James Corey, 47 — the original driver — insisted they had stolen nothing … but they could produce no receipts and Walmart personnel brought to the scene ID’d the items as store property.
Rodgers was arrested for receiving stolen property and conspiracy to shoplift. Police said Corey was found to have a suspended license — which is likely why the two switched places –and five outstanding warrants: Newark, drug paraphernalia; Secaucus, shoplifting; Hazlet, MV violation; Jacobstown, N.J. (Burlington County), driving while suspended; and a no-bail Hudson County arrant for child neglect.
Biagetti was charged with shoplifting, conspiracy, receiving stolen property and on three shoplifting warrants — from North Bergen, Bayonne, and Monmouth County (no bail on that one).
The three were booked at KPD headquarters and transferred to the county jail, where our guess is that “surf and turf” may be limited to tuna salad and baloney.
