NJ man arrested for shoplifting twice in the same day, police say
There are some things that bear repeating and some that don't - like shoplifting.
NJ State Police say a Branchville man got caught shoplifting twice in one day last week, once from a liquor store and again from a pharmacy.
"There’s an old adage that we’ve all heard. In fact, our parents told it to us, we tell it to our children, and our children will tell it to their children: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. This is sage advice to follow in most instances, but not in this one," NJ State Police said in a Facebook post.
Authorities say 29-year-old Kevin Heater is facing shoplifting, public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges following the April 19 incidents.
Police say the first incident took place at 12:27 p.m. at George's Wine and Spirits in Branchville. According to the NJ State Police Facebook post, an employee observed Heater walking out of the store with a bottle of liquor that he hadn't paid for, concealed in his sweatshirt.
"The employee confronted Mr. Heater in the parking lot and was able to grab the bottle," police said.
Police responded to the store and arrested Heater. he was transported to the NJ State Police Sussex Station and charged with shoplifting and public intoxication before being released with a future court date, authorities said.
The second incident took place just a few hours after he was released from police custody. Police say that at 5:19 p.m., troopers responded to a call at Family Drug Store Pharmacy in Branchville after an employee reported that a man allegedly walked into the store and attempted to leave with seven bottles of mouthwash that he had not paid for. During the course of an investigation, police said, the suspect was once again identified as Heater.
He was located at his home and placed under arrest, police said. For the second time that day, he was taken to the Sussex Station. In connection with the second incident, police said, he was charged with shoplifting and disorderly conduct before being released.
"So, the moral of this story is if at first you don’t succeed while committing a crime, quit while you’re ahead," NJ State Police advised on Facebook.
Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.
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