By: Richard L. Smith
Linden Police officials said they arrested four Essex County residents after they allegedly tried to steal over $5,500 worth of merchandise from a local department store.
According to police, on Saturday, June 10, at about 9:50 p.m., officers were called to Kohl’s at 1901 E. Edgar Road on reports of a shoplifting in progress.
Upon arrival, police say the first officer arrived at the store and was immediately confronted by two suspects entering the vestibule.
The officer attempted to stop the suspects but was pushed to the ground during the struggle. Police say the suspects ran from the store into a nearby car that drove from the store towards Route 1.
According to officials, police found the car on Route 1 as it made a U-turn at the Phillips 66 Domestic Sales entrance. The car was stopped on Route 1 North just before the I-278E entrance ramp.
Police said the doors opened when officers approached the car, and two suspects got out.
According to police, the suspects refused to comply with repeated commands and began to walk from the scene. Officers confronted the suspects, who resisted the officers' attempts to detain them and tried to get back into the car.
Police continued to struggle with the suspects and attempted to get them back out of the car.
Police said one suspect was removed. However, the three other occupants continued to fight the officers. Officials say officers used OC spray to gain control of the remaining suspects, who were removed from the car and placed under arrest.
Three of the suspects were treated on scene for OC exposure. One suspect was later treated at a local hospital for an unrelated medical event and subsequently released.
Police say several officers were injured during the incident, one of whom required further treatment at a local hospital.
He has since been released.
The suspects were positively identified by Kohl's employees. All of the stolen merchandise was recovered on the scene and returned.
Police arrested Newark residents Mr. Isiah Banks, 30, and Mr. Lamont Ellis, 23, then charged them with third-degree shoplifting, resisting arrest, and aggravated assault on a Police Officer.
Police say they charged Banks with fourth-degree hindering. Police charged Ms. Tanajah Loyal, 19, also of Newark, with third-degree shoplifting, resisting arrest, and fourth-degree obstruction.
Mr. Shaquille Hargrove, 27, is charged with fourth-degree obstruction.
Police say all the defendants were remanded to the Union County Jail pending a scheduled appearance in Superior Court.
This incident remains under investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective James Garrison at (908) 474-8045.
These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.