LAKEWOOD — A Brick Township man was arrested following an alleged shoplifting incident at a local Home Depot store, police said.
Officers were dispatched at about 2:19 p.m. Jan. 29 to the Home Depot on Shorrock Street after store loss prevention staff reported a theft in progress.
According to police, employees observed a man place several items into a backpack and attempt to leave the store without paying. The suspect was stopped outside, returned the merchandise and was escorted to the loss prevention office while police were called.
Following an investigation, police arrested Joshua Hart, 45, of Brick. He was charged with shoplifting under state law. Authorities said the value of the merchandise involved was estimated at $400.
Hart was taken to Lakewood Police Headquarters for processing and was later lodged in the Ocean County Jail, police said.
The investigation was handled by Officer Waldron.
The charges are accusations only, and Hart is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
