Serial Shoplifter Arrested for Stealing Oxtail Meat at Hoboken ShopRite

Around 4:45 PM on April 16, 2024, Sergeant Dennis Figueroa and Officer Harold Milne with the Hoboken Police Department responded to a report of a shoplifting involving a serial shoplifter at ShopRite on 900 Madison Street. They entered the store around they walked upstairs to the loss prevention office. In the loss prevention office, they met with Felix as well as the alleged shoplifter, who was identified as 44-year-old Manuel Rodriguez.

The loss prevention officer informed the officers that the man placed $154.47 worth of oxtail meat into a reusable bag, walked past the self-checkout area, and attempted to exit the store without paying for the oxtail meat. When they were informed that the store wanted to press charges, Manuel was placed under arrest for shoplifting. He was handcuffed and searched, and the officers found him to be in possession of prohibited items as well as a significant amount of cash. Once he was preliminarily searched, he escorted to the patrol car and transported to police HQ for further processing.

At police HQ, he was searched in more detail. While completing the paperwork related to this arrest, it was discovered that he had outstanding warrants from Bayonne and Jersey City. He was subsequently charged with shoplifting under 2C:20-11B(1) and remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
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