Man Arrested for Stealing Ground Beef, Mozzarella Sticks and Batteries
Michael Meyer, 30, of Springfield, was arrested for shoplifting from Millburn's ShopRite.
Springfield Police arrested a 30-year-old man after allegedly shoplifting $28 worth of groceries from ShopRite in Millburn at about 6 p.m. on Jan. 13, Millburn police officials said.
According to police report, Michael Meyer, of Springfield, entered the food store with an empty black handbag.
The general manager, John Guderian, told police he recognized Meyer from a previous shoplifting incident and watched him place items in his shopping cart.
When Meyer paid for the items in his cart, Guderian told police he noticed Meyer's black handbag was full and zipped up.
When approached, Meyer refused to open the bag, claiming it contained personal items, according to the police report.
Guderian told police he continued to ask to see inside the bag, but Meyer said, "I only took ground beef. Come on man, you can have it back."
Meyer then grabbed the items he legally bought, leaving his black bag and rode away on his bicycle, police said.
Guderian told police Meyer's bag contained two packs of ground beef, frozen mozzarella sticks and five packs of AA batteries, totalling $28.17.
Springfield Police heard Meyer's description and arrested him riding his bicycle with yellow Shop Rite bags on Mountain Avenue in Springfield.
Meyer was charged with shoplifting and released with a court date.
Abbie
11:27 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
This is kind of sad to hear. I would have thought it was some older person who is having a tough time living on social security. But someone this young who can't pay for food?
Jill
11:27 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Anyone else reminded of The Surprising Adventures of Sir Digby Chicken Caesar from That Mitchell and Webb Look?
J S Beckerman
11:27 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Can someone think of a reason why this is a lead news story? It's more sad than criminal.
Joel
2:21 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Craig...I can't understand how this story made the headline while the incident about an intruder being found in the bathroom of a Locust Ave. home got no mention?
Craig McCarthy
2:25 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Joel I didn't receive any information about the home intrusion. Do you know what day it happened?
Joel
2:38 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Happened on December 23rd. Was covered extensisvely by Millburn Item
chokhi
2:30 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Shame on patch to have put this as a lead story. It is sad. This man did not exactly steal rolexes. We need to think why someone this young was forced to steal $28 dollars worth of grocery. Where are we headed?!!
John Fonseca
6:02 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Seriously, devoting 200+ words to this seems a little excessive. Generally, incidents of shoplifting luxury goods from the mall only warrant one or two sentences in the blotter summary posts.
Reading this much about it just makes me feel bad for the guy and wonder about what his issues are, financial or otherwise. Is the mix of items he allegedly stole supposed to make this funny?
Joanne Smythe
9:51 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
All you complainers should demand a refund from Patch ASAP.