Ulta shoplifters crash into traffic lights

EAST BRUNSWICK —The latest shoplifting of an Ulta Beauty store ended with the SUV carrying the suspects crashing into a brick wall and a traffic signal Sunday afternoon.

East Brunswick police Lt. Jason Fama said police were called to the store on the southbound side of Route 18 around 3:45 p.m. after the four suspects got into a black SUV and left the store. The SUV was located at the intersection of Main Street and Old Bridge Pike near Route 18 but three of the suspects fled on foot.

One suspect tried to flee in the SUV trapping an East Brusnwick officer who tried removing the keys from the SUV. The suspect accelerated and crashed into a brick wall and then a traffic signal, according to Fama.

All four were taken into custody. $7,500 worth of stolen merchandise was found in the vehicle plus a loaded 9mm handgun. The SUV also had a fake registration.

Taken into custody were:

Alterik F. Loyal, 40, of Newark. He was charged with Shoplifting, Resisting Arrest, and Hindering Apprehension (Destruction of Evidenced).
Robert E. Hughes, 35, of East Orange was charged with Shoplifting.
Frederick A. Barnes, 31,from Louisville, Kentucky was charged with Shoplifting, Conspiracy, False Government Documents, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
Ryan R. Hill, 21, from The Bronx was charged with Robbery, Shoplifting, two counts of kidnapping and Eluding

All were being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center.

Map showing Ulta on Route 18 southbound and intersection of Old Bridge Turnpike and Main Street in East Brunswick (Canva)

Many Ulta shoplifting

A number of Ulta stores in New Jersey have been the targets of shoplifters who get away with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise in a few minutes.

Hanover police took three teens and two adult suspects into custody on Feb. 23 after they ran out of the store in Cedar Knolls. One teen taken into custody was found to be wanted for stealing $200,000 worth of merchandise from 25 other Ulta stores around the area.

A New York man was charged in connection with the theft of nearly $9,000 worth of fragrances in February within 9 minutes from the Montvale store on March 8, Montvale police chief Douglas McDowell told the Daily Voice. Lateek Lamount Newton, 28, was charged after police said he ran across three lanes of the Garden State Parkway in an attempt to elude police.

Mount Laurel police are looking for two women who they say stole $5,000 worth of merchandise from the store at the Moorestown Mall on April 8.

Fams said it is possible the four individuals arrested Sunday may be part of an organized shoplifting crew.

"However, we are currently unable to confirm if they are part of a larger crew or if they have been involved in any other shoplifting incidents," Fama said.

Suspects in a shoplifting at the Ulta in Mount Laurel 4/8/23 (Mount Laurel police)

Dan Alexander is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com

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