By: Richard L. Smith
Police in Bloomfield arrested a 26-year-old Elizabeth man following a shoplifting incident reported on December 19, 2025, at The Children’s Place store on Franklin Street.

According to authorities, officers responded to the store after an employee reported that a male placed several clothing items into a bag and attempted to leave without paying.
When the employee approached him, the suspect dropped the bag and ran from the store.
The merchandise was valued at $825.90, police said.
Officers located the suspect nearby a short time later and took him into custody. He was identified as Damien Echeverria, 26, of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Echeverria was transported to Bloomfield Police Headquarters, where he was processed in connection with the incident.
No injuries were reported, and the case remains under review.