EMPLOYEE THEFT AT TARGET

DATE/TIME: 9/1/07 2:35 PM
LOCATION: Target Store, Seaview Mall
OFFICERS INVOLVED: Officer Jason Lester, Officer Michael Melody, Sgt. Kevin Faller, Sgt. Thomas Burke and Detective Timothy Torchia.

NARRATIVE:
     On 9/1/07 at approximately 2:35 PM, police were called to the Target store located in the Seaview Mall in reference to an employee theft. Officers arrived on scene and met with Target Loss Prevention personnel. They advised that they have been watching several employees over the past week for a series of thefts. Further investigation revealed that a total of six employees under the age of 18-years-old conspired together to steal money, gift cards and under-ring merchandise at the register. The total theft over one weeks time was $6,406.24.
     Two of the six employees, a 17-year-old male from Asbury Park and a 16-year-old male from Neptune were taken into custody. They were both charged Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Theft and Shoplifting. They were both taken to OTPD and later released to their parents. A third employee, a 16-year-old male from Asbury Park, was released to his parents at the scene. He too was charged with Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Theft and Shoplifting.
     A fourth employee, a 16-year-old from Neptune, was taken into custody when he reported for work at the store on 9/3/07 at approximately 10:43 am. He too was charged with Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Theft and Shoplifting. The investigation is continuing and charges are pending against two other juvenile employees.