Crime & Safety
Union County Police Officer Charged With Stealing From Clark Store: Prosecutor
Clay used counterfeit barcodes of his own creation to lower the prices of items when they were rung up at the register: prosecutor
Clark, NJ -- A Union County Police Officer was charged with stealing from stores in four different towns including Clark, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Friday.
Blake Clay, 33, of Rahway was charged with third-degree theft for allegedly stealing from Walmart and Target department stores in Clark, Edison, Linden, and Woodbridge, Park reported.
Clay "used counterfeit barcodes of his own creation to significantly lower the prices of various items when they would be rung up at the register," Park said.
Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As a result he allegedly repeatedly paid amounts of $1.50 to $4.50 for items ranging in price from $15.99 to $39.99, according to the prosecutor's report.
Overall the total value of the alleged theft amounted to more than $675.
Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Clay was charged Thursday afternoon, and he was suspended without pay pending the adjudication of the case. He is scheduled to appear in court for a first appearance on Wednesday, May 25.
He could face between 3 to 5 years in state prison.
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