FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson and Somerset County Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor announced that the Somerset County Grand Jury had issued an indictment, charging four family members and two employees. Of Franklin Township convenience store,d/b/a and Everything Wireless, with operating an organized retail theft enterprise.
According to officials, Prosecutor Roberson stated the Grand Jury charged David Rubin,61, of Aldeburgh Avenue, Somerset; Lisa Rubin,54, of Aldeburgh Avenue, Somerset; Sherylee Rubin, 58, of Easton Avenue, Somerset.
Batsheva Rubin-Rivera,24, of Sandford Street, New Brunswick; Andre Watts,30, of Wilson Street, North Brunswick; and Dunia Patricia Hernandez, 32, of Luis Street, Somerset.
With second degree operating an organized retail theft enterprise, second degree receiving stolen property, and second-degree fencing by dealing in stolen property.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendants David and Lisa Rubin are husband and wife. That defendant Sherylee Rubin is David Rubin’s sister, and that defendant Betsheva Rubin-Rivera is David Rubin’s daughter.
Prosecutor Robertson stated the Grand Jury separately charged each of the Rubin defendants with the second-degree crime of being the leader of the organized retail theft enterprise based on their supervisory role in the operation.
Second-degree misconduct by a corporate official for operating a New Jersey limited liability business in furtherance of criminal activity.
The Grand Jury also charged defendants David and Lisa Rubin jointly with fourth-degree attempted unauthorized use of ATP cards or Food Stamp Program coupons intended exclusively for citizens in need of assistance.
Lastly, the defendant, David Rubin was charged solely with third-degree receiving stolen property and third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, known as Tramadol, which had been prescribed to a Cliffside Park woman who is now deceased.
Prosecutor Robertson stated detectives assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Task Force conducted a seven-month investigation in 2018.
Of allegations that the defendants were knowingly buying stolen merchandise from shoplifters who targeted “big box” stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, Target, WalMart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and others.
Prosecutor Robertson stated the shoplifters exchanged the stolen merchandise for United States currency at Everything Wireless, a cellular phone and convenience store located on Hamilton Street in Franklin Township.
Prosecutor Robertson stated the Indictment alleges that the defendants offered the stolen merchandise for sale to the public - either at Everything Wireless or over an internet site maintained by defendants David and Lisa Rubin.
Prosecutor Robertson stated the investigation culminated in the execution of a Search Warrant on Monday morning, June 4, 2018, at Everything Wireless, by members of the Somerset County Prosecutors.
Office Burglary Task Force and Crime Scene Investigation Units, Franklin Township Police, law enforcement officers with the New Jersey Division of Taxation and United States Postal Inspector’s Office.
Police were assisted in the execution of that Warrant by loss prevention investigators employed by Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Target Stores, which yielded the recovery of numerous items of stolen merchandise, records documenting illicit purchases of gift cards, kosher meat, and the Tramadol.
Prosecutor Robertson stated each of the defendants is currently free on bail, and that an Arraignment on the Indictment for all six defendants will likely occur in late-January 2020.
Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Murphy has been assigned to represent the State in the criminal litigation. If convicted of any one of the second-degree crimes, the defendants are subject to a State Prison sentence between five and ten years.
Prosecutor Robertson would again like to thank the following retailers for their cooperation in this investigation: Home Depot, Lowes, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Wawa, Stop & Shop, and Walmart.