Shoplifters Caught with Medicine, Energy Drinks, Police Say

In unrelated incidents, shoplifters attempted to steal energy drinks and cold medicine from Bloomfield stores, police say.

On Aug. 15, Officer Keron Piper arrested Christian Betances, 28 of Bloomfield, for shoplifting after an employee at the A&P on Belleville Ave.

Betances reportedly tried to steal over  $91 in cold relief medication before being stopped. While investigating the theft Officer Piper learned Betances had active warrants in Elizabeth and Rutherford.

Betances was taken to police headquarters where bail was collected for Elizabeth and Rutherford and he was charged with Shoplifting and given a bail of $500 by Judge Vincent Pirone for the shoplifting in Bloomfield.

A court date of August 22 is pending.

On Aug. 17, Officer Joseph Cevallos arrested Joseph Torrisi, 29, of Newark for shoplifting at Stop & Shop.

An employee reportedly caught Cevallos trying to steal three cases of Five Hour Energy Drink valued at $47.97.

While investigating the shoplifting, Officer Cevalos learned Torrisi had active warrants in Newark for $5,000 and Roxbury for $400.

Torrisi was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where he was released on his own recognizance for the shoplifting charge in Bloomfield with a court date of Aug. 20. Bloomfield police took him to Newark PD to post his $5,000 bail before answering to the Roxbury charges.