Union County Police Officer Indicted For Stealing From Clark Target: Prosecutor

CLARK, NJ — A three-count indictment against a Union County Police Officer for stealing from stores in four different towns including Clark was passed Monday, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced.

Blake Clay, 33, of Rahway is charged with theft, theft by deception, and official misconduct, all third-degree crimes.

Clay allegedly visited Walmart and Target department stores in Clark, Edison, Linden, and Woodbridge multiple times from early February through late April and used counterfeit barcodes to significantly lower the prices of various items when they would be rung up at the register, according to an investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Unit.

"This meant that on more than 10 occasions, he allegedly paid amounts of $1.50 to $4.50 for items actually ranging in price from $15.99 to $39.99," according to Park.

The total value of the alleged theft amounted to approximately $650.

Clay was charged in May, and he was suspended without pay pending the adjudication of the case.

Clay could face three to five years in state prison.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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