Police arrest suspect in latest incident

Bloomfield

By: Richard L. Smith

In a disturbing trend that continues to rock a major pharmacy chain in Bloomfield, local police have arrested a suspect allegedly connected to at least one of a series of brazen shoplifting incidents.

The most recent arrest occurred on August 18 following another theft at Walgreens at 77 Bloomfield Avenue.

According to a statement from Bloomfield police, officers responded to the store after receiving a report of a shoplifting incident.

Police said when they arrived, store employees informed them that a male suspect had left the store with several boxes of candy valued at $126 without paying.

Officers soon arrested the suspect, who was later identified as 38-year-old Scott Moultrie of Seaside Heights, who was found nearby.

He was taken to Bloomfield Police Department for processing.

The arrest comes amid a growing wave of thefts at Walgreens on Bloomfield Avenue, which has been the target of several robberies in recent weeks.

Police are currently investigating whether Moultrie is involved in a larger series of shoplifting incidents that have rocked the business and caused significant financial damage.

According to police, the store has seen at least half a dozen similar thefts in the past week alone, causing nearly a thousand dollars in damage.

What is particularly disturbing to store employees and police is the blatant recklessness with which the thieves operate. Individual thieves have been reported to enter the store, steal valuable items – some worth more than $50 – and leave seemingly unpunished.

The police reports describe a series of incidents that occurred at the same Walgreens store over the past week:

– 12 August 2024: A male suspect hid several bottles of laundry detergent in a bag and left the store without paying. The value of the stolen items was $113.38. This case is still under investigation.

-15 August 2024: A male suspect left the store with several bottles of laundry detergent valued at $38.94. The incident is currently under investigation.

-16 August 2024: A male suspect stole about $100 worth of laundry detergent and fled the store without paying. Authorities are still investigating.

-18 August 2024: In a similar incident, a known shoplifter stole several bottles of laundry detergent valued at $21.96. Police are still investigating.

Due to the spate of thefts, patrols in the area have been increased as police attempt to contain what they say is a disturbing and escalating problem.

Bloomfield Police officials have made it clear they are committed to cracking down on such incidents and have increased their efforts to make more arrests.

Residents and businesses are increasingly concerned because shoplifting isn't just happening at Walgreens.

Last week alone, the municipality reported nine such incidents in various stores, painting a grim picture of a city struggling with retail crime.

As Bloomfield police try to contain the growing threat, store owners and employees remain on alert, eagerly hoping that Scott Moultrie's arrest marks the beginning of the end of the series of thefts that have troubled their community.

Information Facts: Bloomfield Police Department